Timmy: When I see a rock, I must conquer it. 

It is the enemy, and I will defeat it.

When I say to Timmy, "jump for the picture!" 

... this is what I get:

When Timmy says to me, "do a jump for the picture, babe!"

 ... this is what he gets:

He is a better jumper. I am a better picture taker.

Conclusion: We make a great team.

to hug a kangaroo.

While we were in Australia, I just really, especially,

very much wanted to...

pet a koala bear...

catch a glimpse of the world's deadliest snake... 

see a huge crocodile...

observe a poisonous spider - without getting bitten... (eek! I was hoping to see it outside, not our hotel room...)

say hello to a dingo... (did you know they can't bark?) 

hear a kookaburra laugh...

AND

to hug a kangaroo.

 

and then it was autumn.

We left Spring to greet Autumn. Green grass was replaced by shortened days and falling leaves.

 Autumn in Australia. Autumn is my favorite season.

Australia in autumn exists in shades of deep earth tones. Browns and tans tangled among yellows and greens. Colors you've seen before, but never in this way. Everything was dancing.

 It was different. It was an autumn I almost did not recognize. The color of the leaves were a bit more subtle, the world tasted richer. Most trees were still green. but it was a soft, worn shade. I'm sure Australia looks very different in summer, spring, and winter. But to me, Australia will be forever frozen in autumn. I became lost in the idea of Australia always looking so golden warm.

It was surreal. Between the 15 hour time difference and the drastic change of seasons, it became impossible to keep track of life back home. Time didn't stop, but it floated. We lost track of days and months, and suddenly we just were.  

Where the only familiar sight was each other's eyes.

 It was beautiful. So beautiful I almost didn't want to take any pictures, because I knew they couldn't truly capture the views. Tall, sweeping mountains, white sandy beaches. Forests bunched with tall skinny trees, fields of birds of paradise lining the highways. With the sky so blue and the air so heavy with eucalyptus. Scenery like I'd never seen before, a whole new landscape to discover.

And we were determined to see as much of this big country as possible.

It was warm. The sunshine was tangy and hot. Their autumn weather isn't too different from our summer weather. Temperatures hovered between 65-75 degrees, and we raced through the bush wearing short sleeves and sundresses.

It was wild. Miles of untamed wilderness and an overwhelming feeling of expectancy. There were unending opportunities for danger (which Timmy loved), and the reality of that power was intoxicating. We became convinced that anything could, and does, happen in Australia.

It was perfect. Better than I'd hoped and more majestic than I'd dreamed.  

Everything was new and nothing felt the same.

Except the feeling of his hand in mine.

Together, we have such grand adventures.

Sunday Twice.

 Sunday, May 2 was a twice-lived day.

We left Australia at 11:30AM on Sunday. Thirteen-ish hours later, we arrived in LA at 8:30AM... on Sunday. Two Sundays.

We spent most of the first Sunday sitting in an airplane. Flying so far over the sunrise that it became a sunset, racing through the darkness and skimming above the clouds. Long. Our flight was so long.

And we (me) are a little scared of flying.

But somehow it was perfect. That may have had something to do with the yummy poppy seed bagels Timmy bought me for the plane ride. Or because 101 Dalmatians was one of our movie options, and I had almost forgotten how much I loved it. Or because we somehow managed to end up with three seats to ourselves, so we stretched out and created a nest of blankets to snuggle in.

And it was definitely because of the cute boy I got to sit by for 13 hours straight.

The second Sunday came suddenly. Darkness dissipated and bright light began streaming in through window cracks. Our plane landed into a bright California morning. Late. Our plane arrived late.

And we missed our connecting flights.

But somehow, it was perfect. That may have had something to do with my hubby keeping me giggling as we waited in line for two hours to get new tickets home. Or because even though my hair was a mess and my makeup was long gone, Timmy kept telling me I looked "radiant", so I pretended it was true. Or because we got $14 of meal voucher money, but neither of us were hungry, so we spent it in the most ridiculous way. Trail mix and chocolate covered graham crackers?

And it was definitely perfect because I was relishing every minute spent with the man I love.

Sunday, May 2, was the perfect day to live twice.

*It's so good to be home! I have fun stories and pretty pictures to show you from our magical adventure... But right now, I can barely keep my eyes open... So tired...*