Trips around the world!

In 1999, I met Mick Oxford when he came half way around the world to help set up our network when we were bought by the company he worked for. Little did I know at the time what a wonderful friendship would develop. Five years later, I received a call from him one night "warning" me of a plan to bring me to Australia for a networking workshop. Knowing my fear of being on a plane for roughly 15 hours in one hop, he wanted me to be prepared. I hung up the phone in shock and told Phillip I just didn't know if I could do it. Well God always gives us the support we need, and he provided for me again by guiding Melba (worked with Mick also in 1999) to travel with me. We had a wonderful time. We flew into Melbourne. Mick and Helen so graciously met us at the airport and saw us safely to our hotel room. The next day, Melba and I flew over to Hobart in Tasmania for a couple of days.

Melba and me atop the highest mountain in Hobart, Tasmania

We then returned to Melbourne and the hospitality of Mick & Helen sharing their home. On the weekend they drove us around site-seeing and took us to a conservation area where we got to see animals in their natural habitat.

If you look really close above, you can see a 'joey' in the pouch.

A real tasmanian devil, they do exist!It's a koala, don't you just want to hug him!

Melba got to do a bit of sight-seeing while I was away at the workshop and then after saying our goodbyes to the family, it was off to the airport for that flight back around the world.

From left, Eammon, Lauren, Regan, Helen, & Mick Oxford

Unfortunately, Melba wasn't able to join me on my next trip, but I again got to enjoy staying with my new found family on the other side of the world the next two years (2005&2006). In December of 2005, Mick and Helen came all the way around the world just to celebrate my 50th birthday. (Not really, but I still tell it that way!) We started , what we hope, has become a tradition of enjoying some vacation time together. Kaelyn entertained them by.......well, by being Kaelyn, and Helen got to practice for the future by holding Caleb who was only 3 months old. The Holts, Oxfords, and Hesters were off to short stop in Gatlinburg and then to a Bed & Breakfast in Black Mountain, NC, where everyone met Jessica's sister, Lindsay, and loved her I might add. We had a wonderful dinner at the Biltmore (guys were a little upset they had to wear a tie), but didn't they look great! What a great time we had! Biltmore was all lit up for Christmas. Amazing!

Left to right Helen & Mick Oxford; Corneice & Phillip Hester; Melba & Dannie Holt

One more trip back to Melbourne for me (July 2006), but unfortunately didn't get to spend a lot of time with 'the family'. Lots of business and traveling with a group this time, so pretty committed on time. I did enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever experienced when we did a day bus tour down the Great Ocean Road.

My first ride in a helicopter! But believe it or not, it was even more beautiful looking at it from the shore line. I've never seen such beautiful clean water and georgeous coastline.

Mick was able to make another trip across in spring of 2007. It was business again, so not a lot of free time, but enough to perfect a duet with Kaelyn singing "Another Brick in the Wall". She just couldn't understand why he wanted her to 'talk funny', like him. He also got to play a little soccer with Caleb in my Mom's den, knocking over one of my Dad's tomato plants he was nursing. Boy, did they get in trouble!

Now this past weekend, Mick and Helen arrived again on vacation. This time they also got to meet Reed. We had a big picnic here at our house, with all of Melba's kids and grandkids and all of my kids and grandkids. There's nothing better than sharing your family. Hopefully, when the time comes, Mick and Helen will also be able to share their grandchildren with us.

Reed, Mary Megan, Jacob, Anna Chris, Chase, Jackson, Caleb, & Kaelyn

Helen Oxford and Reed

I think Reed is insisting on finding out if Melba has teeth; after all, she was trying to look at his! It's only fair!

Next week Dannie, Melba, Mick, Helen, Phillip, and me will fly off to the Great West. I should have lots to share on return. And rumor has it that we are going to discuss our next trip together and maybe meet in Ireland!! I'll keep you posted.