Thank you

Ok, so it's been a while. I didn't mean to leave you out in the rain (don't get me started on all the rain we've had in Halifax since we got back), but I've been busy. We had to unpack from the big trip, find a place to put all the new stuff (for the baby mostly) and catch up on our massage appointments. I also didn't want to post until I had the tally of our stats from the trip. For those of you out there that are rolling your eyes right now, did you really expect anything less from me?

So, here it is (for the Americans and Canadians...yes, I ran my numbers both ways)

Total days: 50 Total distance: 7,865 miles/12,584 kilometers Total gasoline: 422.035 gallons/1114.172 liters Average gas mileage: 18.6 miles/gallon or 11.294 kilometers/liter

A few remarks about the trip and the above numbers:
1. This was a once in a lifetime trip with our child; one to never be taken with 2 children.
2. Our Kia Sportage did remarkably well with gas mileage considering we were loaded down with us, our stuff and a cargo box on top filled to the brim.
3. Although we did well on gas mileage considering our load, I have started my daughter's life off with a carbon footprint so large that it would swallow her, Green Bunny and all of the dogs that we met along the way up if they fell into it.
4. While spending time with family and friends and seeing new places is fun and exhilarating, being in your own home - even with all of the unfinished projects and clutter - is priceless.
5. Being able to spend 50 days on the road with my husband and my daughter without one worry of work is incredible, and I am thankful to live in a country that provides this for me and my family (although with the taxes we pay, you'd think I could be off until she's out of diapers, but that's for another post).

Lastly, I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart to all of the friends and family that made this trip possible. Without these people opening their homes to us, we would not have been able to take this trip. We had the chance to reconnect with friends whom we had not seen in so many years, but somehow it was like a week hadn't passed. I am grateful for these relationships and for my family. I know a lot of families that would not have wanted or even attempted to travel and stay with family as long as we did. And, regardless of the headaches that can ensue sometimes, I am grateful for my family and treasure the time we got to spend with them.