So....did I mention....

This is how excited I am. Extremely.

So...did I mention....
WE ARE MOVING TO HAWAII!!!

How this is happening, I have no clue. Jeremy got his orders, and so instead of England we are going to HAWAII!!!!
This is great for a variety of reasons, let me lay them out for you:

1. I get to live with Jeremy again. Dear Lord, so stoked for this.  Being separated from your best friend and the one you love for 5 months makes you grow and learn, and understand what is worthwhile and what is fairly pointless. I'm really blessed with a man of God who loves me, and who loves the adventure of a marriage we've seemed to put together.  Ecstatic doesn't even begin to cover it.

2. Mermaiding in Hawaii. This is going to be epic. I'm so stoked.  All the reefs, getting scuba diver certified, and being able to explore reefs. Um...yes.

3. The view.  Goodness. It's gonna be so pretty.

4. Activities! Hiking, swimming, diving, swimming, chilling, dancing, hula, hiking, swimming, walks on the beach.

5. Air Force Life. I'm really looking forward to getting connected into this community that is tight-knit, and supportive. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I feel like I'm sort of an odd-ball, but I figure I'll make friends by offering neighbors fresh baked cookies.

6. Have our own home again. Although Jeremy and I have only been physically separated by distance for 5 months, we haven't had our own home with just the two of us for a year and a half, so having a place that is ours, will be nice. Not to mention, I'm really looking forward to having our awesome couch back. If you've never sat on our couch, it's one of those fantastic ones that you sink into and are sooo comfy.

7. No snow.  My winter coat?  Staying in my closet in Iowa. LOVE that fact.

8. Big Girl job. I get to have a big girl job!! I've worked at different jobs over the years, and some have lasted for months, and some have spanned over the course of my college career. I'm excited to find a job, whether with a non profit, day care, or after school program. Also, I may have a side job as a mermaid, so I'm not complaining about that either. I'm excited to dedicate myself (for 3-6 years depending on the Air Force) to helping kids grow and learn and to grow as a teacher myself.

9. Have a church home.  We went to Prairie lakes up in CF, but between all the traveling we've done this past chunk of time, and all the places I've been lately, I go to River when I can, but my church activity is quite minimal right now.  I mean I have my quiet time by myself, but solid church is always good. I'm looking forward to this time where Jer and I can go together, and worship on a weekly basis.

Oh yeah, and I put blue in my hair, I LOVE it.

10. VACATION EVERYWHERE!!! BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAWAII AND MY HUSBAND IS COMING HOME ON SATURDAY!!!!!!

I'm a happy camper today. Oh ,and I went car shopping today?  Fell in love with a Pontiac Vibe and a Chevy Impala.

Love you all,
Aj the Merry Adventurer.

The Family that Grows When you Are a Gypsy

Christa and I mermaiding

I'm a gypsy. I don't live in a trailer, I don't have a fantastic coin belt (although I really would like one, because they are fantastic). But I travel, everywhere, all of the time. Jeremy and I have not stayed in one place over a few months for the past year and a half. Myself alone have lived in 14 different places in the last year and a half. Slightly ridiculous I know.  When you become a traveler  like that you learn a few things, some are more obvious than others, and some you learn out of necessity   Like family.  When you are a gypsy the word family takes on a very loose definition.

The Onion Destroyers

Yes, I have a very tight immediate family, and a wonderful biological family that I love with all of my heart. But sometimes when you are in Africa and you need a grandma or a mom and they can't be there to chat, so you find people that can fill your heart with love.

With so many families today falling apart at the seams people are reaching more towards others to become their family.  For example, at camp this summer we always talk about the Y-Camp Family, and how each of us is there for each other. Brandon, who was one of my best friends at camp took  me in as his little sister, Christa also another one of my best friends at camp became my sister and confidant. All of these people at camp found places in my heart.

Me, Kelsey, and Laura :-D

Throughout college I have met some of the most amazing people, Laura, Dylan, and Kelsey are just a few that have absolutely changed my life. And this past week was the last time the four of us will be together for quite some time, or until Kelsey's wedding most likely.

 I take people in very easily as my family.  Wherever I am at the moment becomes home, whether it's Laura's parents house, Lair, or even the living room of 1820. I was asked a week ago by Tucker where home was, and I said right now?  He responded with yes, and I responded with "the spot that I laid my head down last night". My homes are spread out, between my parents and Ron and Adri's home, I have 2 right there, and other places that I am welcome to.

Callie and I eating straight out of the bucket...
who needs bowls anyways?

Some people seem offended when I tell them this.  I feel very blessed. It's not very often that your 'family' ranges from Colorado, Florida, Iowa, England, Germany, and Africa. How many ways can you learn from those with other experiences who love you and have accepted you as one of their own?

How do you say goodbye to these people?  How do you say "I will most likely never see you again" to people who have touched your soul? Take in the moments you can with them, go swimming in a monofin, or eat a tub full of ice cream, forget the bowl, just use the bucket and throw the sprinkles in there (We didn't eat the whole thing, just what was left).  There have been several opportunities for me lately to say my last goodbyes to people who are so radiant and full of life that it churns my heart that I will not see them every day, for a speck of advice or just a really good hug.  What do you do when everyone else is saying goodbye, do you say it as well?

Sammie and Me

Sunny, Mom, and me

I don't. I travel so much, and my life has taken so many interesting turns that I often times end up seeing this people again. I thought my last time seeing my Performance Art Troupe would be back in January, and then again this summer, I have said goodbyes in the past to them, and then seen people months later.

When you touch someone's soul, and God has brought you together to learn from them, or to grow with them, you will always be connected.  Although I am the worst at staying in touch (ask my mom, who didn't hear from me for like a month and a half when I was in Africa at one point), occasionally when someone's name falls on my heart I give them a call or email them.  You never know where life will take you, or how bright the spot you have left in someone's heart is.

My home this summer, Dahl :-D

Family is an ever growing, ever changing tree, and just because there are some apple blossoms growing next to your orange blossoms on your pineapple tree doesn't mean that when you leave you have to take out the apple blossoms. Leave them there, the more variety there is in your tree means the more you can grow and bear fruit to others as well.
Say your goodbyes if you will, but know that God may have plans to bear fruit in your life involving that person, or that amazing place (read Y-Camp) and you may never know when that will happen, so never cut out a goodbye for someone, allow it to have a see you later in it...because with life, you just might.

So welcome to the family-
Your sister, daughter, or cousin in Christ and love,
Amber Jane

IT CAME!! MY MONOFIN CAME!!

It is here and I get to try it out today!! It's really happening after 17 years!! I'm becoming a mermaid! This is the best day ever!!