I'm alive.

I'm alive and survived traveling half way across the world and back and oh buddy, I couldn't be happier to be home. Really, I've never been happier.

I also dropped the ball about posting a post about packages I made for the girls before I left. I had uploaded them and hoped to write a post on the plane or while I had some down time in Japan, but that didn't happen because wifi is apparently hard to come by there or on the way there.

My husband did an awesome job though of delivering these. Each day I was gone, during nap time he would place the bag by our front door so it seemed as though it was magically delivered. I have to credit him with this wonderful idea too! I knew I married him for a reason, okay many reasons.

I raided the Dollar Tree before I left and the Target dollar isle to buy little toys and candy for each of the girls for each day that I was going to be gone and the day I left.

I also typed up a letter for each day I was gone that included the day of the week, the date, a little fact about Japan, where I was going to be that particular day and a countdown of when I would be back.

I also printed out a map so the girls could locate on the map what city I was in (or daddy could help them locate where I was). I also put a big dot on the map was it would be easy to find in the hopes that they would generally grasp where I was, and I think they did.

I put their letter, map, a little toy for each of the girls, and some candy into a gift bag with the date and count down written on the front.

For the days that I was traveling across the United States I put a map of the US with dots of the stops.

I might have to take the girls to the dentist here sooner than their 6 month check ups because of all the candy I gave them and told my husband to allow them to eat it all.

I'm really glad that the girls enjoyed their packages and Riley asked me how I got them there when I came home; she totally bought the whole magic explanation. Ahh how awesome it is to be a 4 year old. I am also really glad to be home and couldn't say it enough. I'm glad to be home. I'm glad to be home. I'm glad to be home.

To end on a happier note, my husband starts a new job tomorrow!! I'm so excited for what's happening for our family, I'm not exactly sure what it is that's happening, but I'm excited about it. haha

Riley and I start school next Monday and I'm pretty excited for our lives to get back into a comfortable routine again, even though it's painful to see summer come to an end. I'm really excited for fall to come because I love fall. Ahh I'm so glad to be home.