Lots of Hot Air!

Today I'm grateful for...........

Getting almost 12 years with my astounding husband (today, June 13th, is his birthday. He would have been 34).

Celebrating his birthday with the girls, Karen, and her husband on a hot air balloon!!!!
~The hot air balloon ride was amazing, from start to finish, just fantastic. The take off felt a little unsure to me, but once up in the air it was just pure awe. We had a crowd watching us take off, we were the mysterious people in the basket getting to go on the balloon ride!!!! We were just off of 31, sort of on the north side of Carmel. We flew over down town Noblesville (did I spell that right?). There were 4 other balloons that went up about the same time we did so we got to watch all of them unpack, air up, and take off, then because we were last to take off we got to watch them all land in front of us!
Even though the ride was extremely hot due to weather and the firing up of the balloon, we were all smiles the whole time. The girls dropped flowers and flower petals from the balloon and there was all kinds of chatter from them about watching the petals drop and how far down they could see them.
The balloon we were on was 5 stories tall, and the biggest on the east coast. The ride lasted about an hour, and the sunset was beautiful. I never felt threatened or frightened.
I made sure we each had cameras so the girls got to take pictures of what they wanted pictures of, and they loved that freedom.
What a joyful celebration and fun loving way to remember Michael. Something none of us will soon forget.
***To see photos of the balloon trip go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/floweringcrab/HotAirBalloonPics1

Seeing the smiles on my daughters faces as we lifted off and waved to all the people below.

Waving at the traffic that stopped to watch us as we were landing.

Talking with my mom and dad before the flight and after. The pure joy and amazement in my dad's voice when we called and told him we had landed. Mom and dad are truly amazed at the way I've raised the girls and the things I've taught and am teaching them.

Taking risks and loving it!

Knowing that mom would have been there to go with us if it was at all possible.

All the beautiful colors of the balloons! Made for really colorful pictures!

A message from jones about bridgette's upcoming visit with her and trying to get mine scheduled.

An email from kevin about his wonderful visit with jake. Loved the bit about the tree :)

Hearing Vance's voice this morning even though I didn't get to speak to him, and knowing we will catch up soon.

Getting to drop in on everyone's lives through the glog.

Creating adventure in my life.

Good things are happening to the people I love.