Jack O' Jack
As you may remember- Jack was having some real health issues at the end of 2013 & has had some real health issues for a while... We have had test, after test, after test... basically to find out that nothing is seriously wrong. That's great news! Still- he has had a lot of annoying little health issues since he contracted Dengue Fever & Malaria & lots of Salmonella poisoning on his
LDS Mission to Brasil.
Sounds fun huh!? Anyway- he has been much better. He had his last test- an MRI in February and is learning to listen to his body (this is sarcasm)- eat better (more sarcasm)- get better sleep (ya you should know by now) All the things his mother tells him. So he can build up strength & his body can heal from the trauma it went through. Ya- he is doing all that.
(Jack on May 29, 2014- a good ol' fashioned American Breakfast of sausage, eggs, toast, oj & milk)
Then he & his buddy Corey decided - life is short- let's do something grand.
The two of them made a plan. They planned & planned & bought a map. They studied it out, planned some more - then did it. Bought two tickets to Europe for a FIVE WEEK BACKPACKING TRIP. You know- the kind of trip the rest of us talk about taking, but very few do it.
They bought just the right clothes. Only one pair of shoes- can't carry extra shoes ya know. One pair that could take them all over Europe, but still to church on Sunday &
a trip here.
The bought just the right backpacks, sleeping bags- shoes etc.
They could only take 22 lbs.
Jack is a senior at Brigham Young University.
A history major. He has taken a couple of European history classes & was so excited to really see all the things he has been learning about.
We drove to the airport in the morning & I dropped them both at the curb.
People would ask me if I was worried, or nervous?
HA! Corey was a missionary in Columbia- Jack in the most dangerous city in Brasil.
(As long as they didn't run into hoards of mosquitoes) Europe- piece of cake.
For the next 5 weeks we lived on the edge of every email & Instagram post.
Half way through his trip we found out about a free app called Viber - then we could call & text.
They started out the adventure in London, England.
Next Paris, then Rome, Florence & Milan.
From there they met another friend in Switzerland, and went to the Czech Republic, Germany & last but not least they flew home from Poland.
It was an absolute thrill to see all of their photos!
So fun- they are still up if you want to check them out.
Brett's family on both sides come from Switzerland-
so here is is in the Swiss Alps.
Corey is an amazing photographer- if you want to see some excellent photos of Europe and other places..- check him out. REally- you'll be glad you did.
On June 3, 2014
after Chloe had gone to prom, finished & graduated seminary & high school, both sets of grandparents visited, his dad celebrated his 50th birthday.... a lot happened in those 5 weeks
we got ready for him to come home.
We got his room all put back together & Trent made this sign out of wood...?
Wood- he nearly took down a few people with this huge wood sign- dear me!
He wrote:
"Kill all the pirates," in the corner.
Me: Trent, why does it say kill all the pirates?
Trent: Well I started to write - kiss the ground then wrote kill on accident. The only thing I could think of with kill - was kill all the pirates.
Okay then?
These two stayed mostly in Hostels & with friends in Germany etc.
But also- spent a few nights on the streets & at least two nights in a cave off the coast of Italy, with the beach at their feet. Oh my- it's a good thing they are young! It's so fun to hear about all their adventures.
It was a long 5 weeks of not showering regularly- and he hadn't shaved or had a haircut since a week before his last final in the testing center. Let me tell ya, he is pretty darn proud of it at this point too.
Not gonna lie-
I was thrilled for him.
Thrilled he got to go on this trip.
It's for sure a trip of a lifetime! While he was there he found out his last year at BYU he earned an academic scholarship! So happy- can you tell I'm just a little proud of this kid?
Still- I'm glad he's back- was back. He's off to work & his internship & this weekend another adventure to see one of his roommates is get married
here on Saturday.
