Tire Dipping Ceremony

Today was the first week long goodbye, only a few days till we see Reuben again on the weekend in Vernon.  Its nice and hard all at the same time.  It nice to know that I can check in on him after one week... but also hard because we have to say goodbye so many times.  It seems like an odd complaint but i actually find this harder.  Harder because you have to deal with the emotions multiple times instead of just getting it over and done with in one foul swoop.... But then again, I am so happy to see him and be able to get a hug after only a week and a second week :)

Anyways, Today was good, we were up early again.... thanks Riley... and we got packed up and were out of the house by 9am as planned.  However, things at trinity did not go as planned so they left almost an hour late.... so we were super early to White Rock.  Which gave us time to explore the pier as well as walk the beach.  Finally the bikers showed up, got organized, prayed, took a few group photos and then went down onto the beach.

The tide however, was SOOOOO far out, we had a walk a good while to get to the water. Most carried their bikes to avoid the sand and rocks... Reuben included....

 Here are all the riders... all in a line.... ish.  Reuben is somewhere in there.... not sure where...

Then they were off, after washing their feet of sand, making sure their tires had no rocks in them they were off.  Riding in their service groups so they could get to know each other.  The the drive for us began, seeing as they were late arriving we were later leaving then the wanted but we made it, only 2 real stops and 1 fake poop stop from Riley.... Now we are settled back into the cabin, ready for the GORGEOUS weather we expect over the next 10 days till we go back to Calgary for the weekend to help with the Sea to Sea weekend there.  

Saying goodbye has never been my strong point but i rocked todays goodbye.  I had a few tears as i walked away from the Sea to Sea group but nothing to write home about.  No ugly cry face today.  Shed a few tears as we drove away from abbotsford but all in all, it was good.  We took a "family photo" but Riley was sleeping in the stroller with Pake at the tent so he didn't make it in... hopefully he will be awake at the next tire dipping photo in Halifax.  For now... enjoy this photo of us.

Reuben and I also remembered to actually take a photo of the 2 of us..... WOW!

Now we pray, pray for safety along the roads, pray for building community together and for lifelong friends to grow.  Its been a long first biking day.... i worked so hard :)  Its time for me to hit the sack with my kidos and bask in the goodness of God.  Until tomorrow....