more adventures of jack

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.