Business, Vacation, or Educational

Someone recently asked me how things were going here in Colorado with H&G. I replied, “well this is our first vacation with her and so we are still adjusting and figuring out how to see sites, keep naps, and navigate things with an almost two year old.” HomeAudio quickly corrected me and reminded me that this is not our first vacation with her. She went to Florida with us in February, and in April. He is right. So why does this feel so different?

I started thinking about our Florida trips verses other trips around the country with Management. In FL we aren’t really into seeing the sites (other than Disney, of course). Partly because we’ve seen them before and partly because in February all we care about is soaking up sunshine and relaxing. It’s a reprieve from hard, long MI winters.

These other trips, to Los Angeles, South Dakota, Ohio, California, Colorado, Georgia, and Wisconsin (so far) are business trips for Management and have become educational trips for us more than vacations. These are places that we are not likely to visit again so I feel a huge sense of responsibility. I try to make them trips to remember for the kids and try to visit as many unique sites as we can in those locations so that my kids can "see the world". I’m not a fan of children’s museums, aquariums, malls, the zoo, etc. Of course, I love these things but I kind of feel like we need to take advantage of seeing things that you can’t see anywhere else (and things that are much cheaper) and get a feel for the area and the people. For example, the Hollywood sign or Bear Country. I fear that aquariums, malls, and zoos will all run together. And I've found that they have as we’ve been to the TN aquarium (which was great!) and to a different zoo in MI and the kids don’t hardly remember. However, they remember the twisting roads of Los Angeles, the donkey that almost sat on our car in South Dakota, and will remember panning for gold in Colorado.

It’s not right or wrong. Lots of people vacation differently and “must sees” for one are not “must sees” for others. I know one family that picks vacation spots based on water parks and another baseball parks. I would never go to a water park on vacation. Maybe it’s my love of history, sociology, and culture!? Maybe it’s that I do 99% of the site seeing alone with the kids and feel smaller sites are easier to manage?

Whatever it is, I've realized that when in FL, we rest, and when in other parts of the country, we explore. And I really do like exploring! I just feel really sad that most of the time Management doesn't get to explore with us.

But Google and Mapquest are right there with us and we always find more that we want to do than we have time for. It's truly a gift that I don't take for granted and I remind my kids constantly to be thankful for these opportunities!

I know I am!

Colorado Part 1

I had an epiphany yesterday. I realized that the reason I'm not posting pictures anymore and am slowed down in blogging is because I've been using my cell phone as a camera. This is not good because A.) the pictures are not great quality and B.) it takes several more steps to get them uploaded to the computer and hence, put on the blog. So when I get home I am committing to going back to my handy dandy camera.

We've been having fun in Colorado! We're enjoying continental breakfasts every morning and a free "hearty snack" in the evenings. They call it social hour. We call it dinner. I said the other day "I'm so thankful that God blessed us with this dinner every night. It's a gift to me because He knows I hate cooking and am horrible at it." Management replied, "interesting that you look at it as a gift regarding your cooking and not a gift regarding the money it's saving." Yep, two different perspectives...it's been that way our whole marriage. :)

We've tried to balance site seeing (Molly Brown house, Focus on the Family, Casa Bonita so far and Four Mile Historic Park, White-water rafting, etc. still to come) with time by the pool and relaxing. It's been a good mix I think. The kids love to swim, especially H&G, and so it's been nice to sit in the sun and even get some reading done.

So far this trip, I've read Push (made into the movie Precious) and Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman. Opposite ends of the spectrum for sure! Push was extremely difficult!!! Foul language and even worse mental pictures. As a lover of psychology it intrigued me and saddened me, as a follower of Christ, it broke me. To know people actually live like that and have that kind of childhood is absolutely astonishing and tragic to say the least. It made me scoop up my little H&G and praise the Lord all over again that she made it into our arms and that He protected her from such tragic circumstances. Her middle name is Rae which means sheep and I often praise God for watching our little lamb. He is the Good Shepherd afterall!! Oh there is so much more I could say about this as I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving and gratitude and yet weep and mourn for those who are still out there suffering.

With raw emotions and kids who are ready and at the door waiting to go on our next adventure, I guess that's all for now.

Feeling Better

I've been feeling better this past week. It probably has a lot to do with friends who brought me dinner and gave me a good dose of adult conversation, a fun weekend with neighbors and family, some alone time outside of the home, and the fact that Management has been home.

Two days until we head to Colorado. Management will be in class all day and the kids and I will be hanging by the pool, seeing the sites, or watching more Judge Judy (remember Florida?). I'm really excited about the trip! I think it will be good for all of us.

And hopefully some time to update with some photos? I keep hoping that I can catch up. I gave up on scrapbooking but I really really don't want to give up on journaling. These are precious days to me and I want to document them and always remember them. Can't believe the kids are growing so fast! Within a little over three months I will have a 12, 9, and 2 year old. Cherishing every moment!