Cheers Mate

Post 8:

On Thursday morning I said good bye to Becky and her family and headed back home to the USA. I miss them and miss Australia.

It was a good week. Sunday was my last day in the YSA ward at Kangaroo Point. I felt like I could have been friends with a lot of them had I stayed. They were very kind and I even got to say the prayer for Relief Society a couple of times. I think they just liked listening to my American accent. I was just happy to be involved a bit.

I had a lot of fun this week swimming in the pool with the kids. I felt like a ride at an amusement park as the kids used me to do flips and other stuff. I'm just glad Ammon didn't brake my nose like he did Roberts. He's got a pretty hard head I guess. I feel like I got to be a much stronger swimmer in the last month and a half. The kids are really good swimmers and they love to be in the pool. I loved 3 o'clock when they would come sprinting down the driveway or quickly down on their scooters! We had a lot of fun.

On Wednesday Becky, Ashlee and I woke up around 3:30 in the morning and drove down to Surfer's Paradise to watch the sunrise. The sun rises at 4:30 so we missed it by a few minutes. It didn't matter though because it was gorgeous that time of day. There were just a few people up that early and out at the beach. We walked along the beach for quite awhile. I loved being on the beach and seeing all the waves... the ocean is pretty big. I was so glad that Becky is a pretty spontaneous and adventurous. It has made for a lot of good memories. We did a lot of really cool stuff together and I can't wait for my next trip down under:)

I loved Australia. I assume that it was mostly because of the Brouwers. They made my trip so fun! I love each one of them and am so happy when we said good bye it was a see you in a couple of weeks.

Becky took me to the airport and my favorite thing was as I went downstairs Aaron ran to the glass and with his hands and face on the window yelling' "Bye Debbie! Bye Debbie!" It made me cry a little. I am so grateful to have nephews and nieces.

The plane ride was pretty uneventful well at least the one from Brisbane to LA. As we flew over LA at 6 am I saw the early morning traffic... it was looked like a golden road because of the headlights from the cars and it stretched for miles and miles. I also spotted the temple and that was pretty cool. The flight to Boise got pretty bumping. The lady across the aisle from me had a hard time. I didn't even notice the turbulence for awhile because I was really into watching the Sing-Off final episode. It was really good and it helped me stay relaxed through the bumpy ride.

When I think of Australia I will remember a few things. Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water, ferries, kangaroos, koalas, spiders, ants, bats, green green green everywhere, accent, road signs, left side of the road, itchy bum, Story Bridge, Brisbane. It was all amazing and I am sure there are things that I am missing. I of course will think of the Brouwers and all the awesome times we had and all the adventures we took.

I am grateful that I got to go to Australia!

Cheers Mate,

Debbie