Snow in March...naturally!

Hello again, friends!

A lot has happened since my last post -- and I guess I've been pretty busy (which traslates to tired) and slightly deflated after all the excitement of the Olympics. It's really too bad for the Paralympians that the Olympic hype is so intense that it's hard to build yourself up to do it all over again! Not to mention the week in between the events turns into the busiest time for housekeeping when you have to turnover close to 2000 beds! But they got it done and the Paralympics are already half way through! Last week it snowed over 60cm in about 48 hours (needless to say the skiing was EPIC!) and it finally made the athletes village actually look like the Winter Games! But today it's POURING rain Westcoast style...such is life!

As I mentioned, the skiing has been amazing and full of powder! I had my first wipeout last week -- thankfully in slow motion and it didn't hurt at the time (and there was noone with me to laugh at me...) but now my body/knees are reminding me that they've been through a lot in their 31 years. It tried to slow me down but my skis are so fast and my confidence is growing so I'm just going for it and loving it!

The Kunka's came for a visit this past weekend and it was SO great! I could finally play host to my family instead of free-loading off of them all the time (!) and it was fun to show them around the village and see the kids get excited with all the ceremonies etc. We went to watch the alpine sit-ski slalom which was pretty cool! Very exciting to see these athletes pushing themselves -- some with legs, some without...Makenna was very interested in why they were like that. It's encouraging for me to see that too as I think about my knees...that even if something were to happen (like knee replacements for my 35th birthday...haha!), I'd still be able to hit the slopes!

The kids took turns with the cowbell until Peter dropped it down the bleachers. The lost and found process was a little ridiculous...they sweep out under the bleachers one hour after the daily events and then gather all the stuff and send it to some warehouse in Vancouver for pick up! Seriously! Jenny left her phone number and THANKFULLY they called so Jenny and I ventured back out in the snow and I had to run up the huge hill, then down and snowy slope to the chair lift to take me to the grandstands...and then get the cowbell, take the chair lift down again and then run to the car! It only took 30 minutes but the cowbell is back and doing well!

After the Olympics, there was an appreciation lunch where we got to eat in the athletes side of the dining tent and just have at the food! YUM! All you can eat ANYTHING! Pizza, a grill, stir-fry...salads, soup...you name it! Chef Michael Smith was in action again and gave a little speech. They also had draw prizes and I scored BIG TIME!! I got the cream of the crop prize! It was a whole bunch of Olympic souvenirs -- a sweet shoulder bag, a matching toque and scarf, a stuffy of each of the mascots, an Olympic torch relay picture book, an umbrella, a t-shirt, stickers, key chain and so much more!! Basically, everything I wanted to buy in one sweet gift! I tallied it all up and it was worth $330!!! Amazing!
I also received an AMAZING package from Mark and Kendra with goodies from Kansas and a whole lot of encouragement! There was a 'garden in a can' that I just add water and place in a sunny spot and as soon as I opened it and put it by the window it started snowing but the amazing thing is that just today I looked at it and it's starting to SPROUT!! More thrilling than I can even imagine! I'll be there in Kansas soon enough to help Kendra with her garden and to eat all her goodies and I CAN'T WAIT! :) Karen also sent me some family pictures and it felt like big hugs coming through the mail! So, thanks!
It's hard to believe that this dream is almost over but the timing is going to be just right. God only knows what's next -- I'm going to enjoy some time at home and in Kansas and on Vancouver Island in April with lots of cuddles with my boy, Jamal...and from there, I can only trust that the plan is ready and will be unveiled to me at the right time.

Happy days are ahead...especially tomorrow for St. Patty's Day!! Top o' the mornin' to ya!
:)