Last week I talked about being stressed and doubting I was doing enough, this week I sent an email to the wrong country and still ended up with housing for a trip out of the country.

It’s crazy sometimes how life knows better than you and I’m so grateful for the Rotary network that helps make miracles happen. It took 40 minutes from me emailing Vancouver, Washington instead of Vancouver, Canada to be guaranteed a place to stay. It was a surprising moment of delight and Evan and I are both looking forward to this little adventure which will be his first time leaving the country.

In the midst of that excitement, we are both packing for individual smaller trips. While Kai and I head of to RYLA this week, Evan will be going to Grand Lake with my parents to compete in Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI)’s Colorado State Qualifier Chili Cook Off. Much of Tuesday was spent getting ready for both of these events with Evan using his dehydrator to prep his personal spice blends while I try to figure out where I’ve put my wolf shirt in the last year.

Evan has also been helping me prepare for RYLA from testing QR codes for surveys to a drive up the mountain into Estes to ensure a 40 people reservation at a local pizza parlor, Bob and Tony’s, a RYLA tradition. I’ve also been doing a lot of random other tasks, preparing for RYLA’s MAD (Make A Difference) activity, helping JCs coordinate carpools and post-RYLA rest houses, and helping Kai buy all the things he needs around his work schedule.

Amidst all the everything going on, Evan and I found a few hours tonight to go on an ice-cream-shop-hopping date. We went to Rita’s for Italian ice, Josh and John’s for a taste of a new local shop, and McDonalds for a soft serve and HiC float. It was fun to get to try all of the different things and really nice to get out of the house and relax for a bit. It’s been our goal this year to go out at least once a month and just spend time together and it’s been one of my favorite things.