Hello, America!

And....I'm back! The past five days were days that I hope to never repeat! The trip from Japan to Seattle to Minneapolis to Norfolk to Raleigh to Atlanta to Milwaukee to Minneapolis involved 6 planes, a rental car, a 3 hour drive, 3 nights in a hotel and finally I am in the same place for a few days. At my parents' house. Phew.

My grandma's memorial was very nice. It was a special time to be around my extended family that I don't see very often and hear stories about grandma and reminisce. It's still strange to think that she is gone. When I first arrived at my grandma and grandpa's house and went in to the bedroom to set down my things and I fully expected to hear her voice around the corner. It was odd that it was missing. The memorial service was at their church on Satuday and on Sunday we visited the cemetary where her ashes will be placed. It's a beautiful place. My sister-in-law Jen, made a beautiful slideshow for the service.

The family is going to meet in Raleigh in April for the Duke Cancer Institute "Angels Among Us" 5K. Duke Medical Center took care of Grandma and did their best. I hope they can continue to fight the battle against cancer's like Grandma's and many others.

We are team Buckshot Betty. If you'd like to donate, you can do so here.

For reasons like this, I love being back in America. I don't necessarily feel like I'm "back", but maybe once we have a house and a place to unpack and settle, I'll feel "back". Maybe once my husband and dog return from Japan as well.

Glenn and Stella arrive tomorrow. We've got a few weeks to visit with our friends and family, his sister's wedding and then a 5 day road trip accross 6 states and we'll be back in Viriginia.

I'll update you along the way...