Book Launch, Pizza and Bagels: Three Days in NYC (pt. 1)

(Begin here to read about how everything magically fell in place.)

Whenever something big happens, for good or not, my anxiety tends to ramp up. It's a perfectly normal response to excitement so I'm used to it. I was even amused when I woke up at 2:30 am, shook Adam awake and said, "What time is it?!" fearful I had missed the alarm and my plane.

My husband. He's a good sport.

Needless to say, I did NOT miss my alarm or plane. I was up, dressed and out of the house before six am. I made sure to reward myself for my prompt and early arrival:

Cute story: When I was in line at Starbucks, a mom and little girl were in front of me, chatting away in Sign. I know a few baby signs and couldn't make out anything they were saying but, "Can I have this donut? How about this candy? Or this?" and "No! It's too early for junk!" are conversations that would never need a translator!

My flight from KC to TX was on-time and smooth flying. I read The 100 on the plane and really enjoyed it. It's different from the TV show; enough different that I can't compare the two except to say that if you like one, you will like the other. The flight from TX to NYC was a little bumpy and I learned an important lesson: If you have to pee in TX, don't wait until NY to find a bathroom!

(Adam: You know you can pee on the plane. They do have bathrooms.
Me: I didn't want too! I was by the window and didn't want to climb over people!
Adam:  It's better than peeing on them!)

For the record, I did NOT pee my pants. I just had trouble finding a bathroom when I got to NY and my bladder was not happy.

So. Enough about that.

People say NYC smells funny and I suppose it does. It defiantly doesn't smell like where I live in KS, which, at any given point, could smell like skunk, pollen or people grilling. Mostly it smells like nothing at all, a generic nothingness as if the entire county has been detoxed of any identifying odor. But the city smells like so many things, mostly like my childhood. In a way, it smells like Nana, my aunts and my cousins and so many fond memories of visiting them

And it's loud. So loud! I'm sitting in my bedroom now and it's too quiet. The city never really sleeps and I remember the sounds soothing me when I spent the night at my nana's.

I felt pretty slick taking car service by myself to my cousin's. I mean, ignore the fact that she arranged for it. The driver was really nice and told me he once owned his own company doing embroidery on shirts and jackets for places like Hard Rock Cafe, Disney, tourist shops, etc. It was fun to chat about colors and logos and such with him.

My cousin! Ack, my older cousin and my plus one for the evening! It was so amazing to see her and my aunt. I haven't seen either of them since my uncle's funeral two years ago. My cousin cooked dinner, we walked the dogs and caught up on everything and I got a shower in my aunt's new shower that looked exactly like something out of a "bold look of Kolher" commercial. It felt even better, as if I was bathing in sunshine and rainbows. I'm moving in, just for the shower.

I have one living grandparents, my father's mother that we call Nana. All of us- her children, in-laws and the grandkids- would do anything for Nana. She's an enigma. You do not cross Nana and if you gain her favor you get Spaghetti Pie and cookies from the Italian bakery.

Ah, who am I kidding. She bring us cookies in the white box with the red twine no matter what!

My cousin and I took the afternoon to visit Nana. She ordered real NY pizza and I had two slices and it was .... heaven. It was storming outside and another cousin told me I brought the mid-western weather with me. I agreed and he said he was going to throw me outside to sacrifice me to the weather gods. He was kidding. I think.

Lunch with Nana was too short. Most of the time, I'm okay living where I do and I do love the life I have in the midwest. But it's times like that when I wish I was closer and I could have pizza and cake with my nana more often. I wish my children could visit the city like I did and have memories of playing in a pool in a small, cement backyard with astroturf grass. Many times during the trip I reminded myself to make sure I bring the kids to NYC to visit.

Okay, enough about memory lane. After lunch, it was time for... the subway.

Now, when I was younger and we were visiting Nana, my father put the FEAR OF GOD into me about the subway. I have no idea why. He never took us on it. We were too young to go on it with even our oldest cousins. We didn't live in the city. A few days before I flew into the city, I mentioned to Dad that my cousin and I were taking the subway to the book launch and he was all ZOMGOSH NO SUBWAY.

Of course I had to send this picture:

 With the caption, "I'm on the subway!"
Then I sent this:

To prove I was getting ON THE SUBWAY and not just standing on some dirty old street. Look, I might be 35 and have four kids but I'm never too old to drive my parents crazy.

Oh, and the subway? So not scary. Okay, the stairs were a giant pain. I was sweating and my thighs were burning by the time we were done. It's because I'm from the midwest and everything's flat. I joked that I had altitude sickness by the end of it. I was hot and sweaty and UGH. But stairs aside, it was FINE. I mean, yeah it was kinda dirty and it smelled funny but as long as you don't sit in any wet spots, you're good. As my brother-in-law's friend said, "If it smells funky, find another car." Wise words, that.

We finally ended up in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn. I took many random pictures, just to show the kids the different landscape and how close we were to the water, trains, etc.

We even rode the Carousel! It was $2/ person and so fun!

Me and the city in the background.

I think we spent a good thirty minutes just hanging by the water, talking and admiring the building. Admid the hustle and bustle of the city, it was so calm and peaceful. I told my cousin it felt like home, like every good childhood memory I have of visiting my cousins. I can remember waking up in the car and being so excited to see the bridges because I knew we were close to Nana's.

But then it was time to mosey back and get ready for the launch.

(You seriously thought I could make this one post! HA! Stay tuned for more fun!)

Less than 24 hours from now...

I'm getting stupid excited for the book launch. And it's not even my book! I dunno. I think it's everything- the launch, seeing my grandmother, my cousins, my aunt, my brother-in-law AND meeting his girlfriend. I took the kids out to get presents for some people and we're now home watching TV and waiting for laundry to finish. Just this morning, I have:

checked in early
printed my boarding pass
printed the info for the car service
printed information for Adam on who needs to be where and when
e-mailed workouts for "my" group to the head coach AND printed copies for the other coaches
bought a book
downloaded several books to my Kindle app on my phone AND my computer
downloaded a new album to my phone because heaven forbid I be BORED
got presents for people. Yep, super cook Kansas presents. I am awesome like that.
Bought a pretty new skirt to match my lucky white shirt.
Read this article about the book

Speaking of parenting things, my oldest is hanging out with my parents for 3 weeks. So far he has mowed the lawn, helped my mom in the garden, gone to the barber, helped baby-sit his cousins and gone shopping for the food pantry. If he thought it was going to be all fun and games and SUGAR... poor kid. I'll feel bad for him sometimes. ;) No, really, he's going to have a blast.

I have to run and finish packing. Shoes. I need to pick SHOES.

It's a .... thing?

It's July one, which means:
1. My oldest nephew's birthday is today! Yay!
and
2. The anniversary of my niece's passing is next week. Um, big booooo.

As a result of number two AND a wicked sinus infection that required drugs upon drugs, I've been feeling a little down in the dumps. I'm tired (thank you, stupid infection), hot (thanks, summer) and agnsty. I'm not as bad as I could be, as I'm taking great care of myself, but everything's just been a little off.

Then Sunday I logged onto Facebook and checked a local preemie charity I follow. They posted a picture of a baby they are helping and he's wearing one of my hats! A hat I donated and made in memory of Miss Who! I was really excited, as I've never seen one of my donated hats on a baby before! (I've made ones for friends and seen pictures but not one I've donated to a local NICU.) It made me feel great to know they are being loved and used!

The next day, the kids and I found a ladybug in the pool. I didn't know ladybugs could swim! When I got close to scoop her out of the pool, I noticed she had alot of spots on her back and some of them were heart shaped. I called my kids over and they agreed; heart shaped spots. She was not happy that I was trying to get her out of the water and scurried around until Camille carried her off to the roses that grow in the nearby garden.

(Ladybugs are always associated with my niece. We see them randomly but always at times that are important to us, like when we did family pictures.)

Tuesday, I fired up my computer to find... and invitation to Deanna Fei's book launch. 

To say you had to peel me off the ceiling is a major understatement! I was so, so excited! I really wanted to go but was fairly sure it couldn't happen. I mean, it will be in NYC and I am so not in NYC. Besides, I don't want to travel around a major city alone... but wait.

I have cousins. Cousins who live in New York.

What happened next was a flurry of texting and calls to my husband and my cousins. My husband found out that we have enough points to get me to New York for FREE if I stay just 48 hours. My cousin is off work that week and I can stay with her. The venue is 15 minutes away from her house and she can be my plus one! I can see my grandmother! The whole trip is going to cost me time off work and food.

I'd like to say it's a God-thing. That there's a reason this random trip resulting from a random comment left on an article is happening now. Is there? Perhaps. It's so easy to say that God (or my niece) had a hand in this trip. I mean, look how everything fell into place! I don't know, though. I think God has a hand in everything and that if this trip hadn't worked out, there would be a reason for that too. (And even though it worked out, the loss of 3 days pay for me has me nervous... hello, trust.)

Maybe this trip is a God thing.
Maybe it is a Miss Who thing.
Maybe it's .... a thing.

But at the end of the day... I'M GOING TO A BOOK LAUNCH!!!

Whirlwind trip

About three weeks ago, I had arranged to visit my parents for a few days before Christmas. The thought was that the kids and I would drive down after Joe's cello recital, have "Christmas" early and then drive back after only 2-3 days. Just as I was talking to a friend about this, my brother sent a text that he was coming to visit!

We hadn't seen each other in 18 months, so I was STOKED. I changed my plans with my parents and the kids and I drove down on the 31st. We had a huge dinner with my parents, sister and her family. George had his first sleepover ever with his cousins and did great! In fact, he spent two nights with them! He's been asking for a sleepover for ages and this was a great way to test the waters, so to speak.

The next day, Joe went to hang out with friends and my sister and I hit the mall. We went to All the Stores!!! that you can't take kids into. Our brother arrived that night, just in time for another HUGE dinner. All our kids were so excited.

Unfortunately, that night Joe got sick. He spent most of the night throwing up and he slept the entire next day. Literally. He dragged himself to the recliner in the living room, slept, woke up to take a bath, and went back to the chair. He didn't even have the energy to drag a shirt over his head. My mom roused him enough to take him to bed and he slept all night. He woke up Saturday his usual, snarky self.

And really, really, really unfortunately, a bug seems to be going around. Camille threw up once, as did Cole. George has been hit the worst. The poor boy rarely gets sick but when he does, he makes it worth it. He was complaining of his stomach hurting Saturday morning and then threw up riiiight in the middle of family pictures.

Oh, yes. You see, my sister and I went "Everyone will be together! Let's do pictures!" She got the photographer, we picked a color scheme and everyone looked lovely and charming. We got a group shot of our parents and the grandkids and then kicked the kids out to do group up photos. Five minutes later, Joe ran in to tell up George had puked. Poor boy. And poor my extended family, who will now get the stomach flu.

But! Happier note! The pictures are going to be awesome! I'm so happy we have them! The visit itself was perfect, seven insane kids and one demented cat and all! Just a word to the wise: if you want to do family pictures, do them at the beginning of the trip, before your parents have stuffed you full of turkey, ham, bread, cheese, pasta and lots of wine. Otherwise, your pants might not fit. I have no idea how I know this...

Who am I and what have I done with me?

I think I've mentioned before that I'm not a risk taker. I prefer my feet on the ground. I like things safe and predictable. I'm lazy and I don't do "hard." I don't put myself out there and I don't trust people easily. Oh, and you want to get together and talk about feelings and get all lovey-dovey? I don't do feelings... unless you are my therapist. Then, I do feelings but only because I'm paying you.

I'm not sure what the heck has happened to me but this has been the summer of risk taking. I finished my first novel, the first one I have finished in fifteen years, and sent it out to beta readers and an editor. Okay, yeah, she's a friend but she's a real, live editor and I am paying her real, live dead presidents to give me feedback. People. I do not do feedback for fear of rejection and people laughing at what I have written! I had enough of that growing up and I don't like it... but I've done it. (Granted, we're all adults and they won't laugh... but it's hard to remember that sometimes.)

I "networked" (the formal term- it's more likely that I made myself a pain in someone's behind) at church and with a local swim team. I went up to people and sold my skills, both as a catechist and as a swim teacher. The latter was a "cold e-mail" where I called a team about my daughter and ended up e-mailing them later that night, asking them to keep me in mind if a position was to open up. A position did and I interviewed for it on Friday before we left town. The result? I was offered a job coaching part of a (really, really big and well known) swim team. It's just a few hours now but the potential to move up is there. To work with this team, to perhaps coach some of their swimmers and learn under the coaches who send kids to the nationals and Olympic trials? I'd be stupid not to try!

We juuuuust got back from the Annual Trek Up North and took the kids to a kiddie amusement park. This year, three of the four are old enough to ride most of the rides and I encouraged them to try ones they may not like. George went down a water slide at the hotel. Joe went down the two story water slide at the park. Cami and I did the giant spinning swings. (My thoughts during the ride? "Trying new stuff is OVERRATED!" I don't like heights!)

So, big changes around here, both within the family and myself. Part of me doesn't know what is going on with me but part of me realizes that trying and failing is better than not trying at all. Plus, I've already experienced lots of hard things in the past five years, so sending out my book or "cold networking" with people is no-thing compared to, like, the NICU or all of 2013. As my therapist said, "If you're going to go down, you might as well go down epically!"

Here's to being EPIC!

Snap, crackle, pop!

The kids, Adam and I spent the Fourth at my parents' house, attending my sister's baby shower, smell the new baby, playing with the nephews and stuffing ourselves with ribs. I held the new baby, read tons of books to two year old Moose, entertained him with crazy cats videos (look for the Pallas cat video- hours of entertainment in a 47 second clip!), smelled the baby, hung out with Zee, smelled the baby and did I mention there was a baby to smell?

My newest nephew loves me. He proved this when he pooped all over me. When I changed him and borrowed a shirt from my mom, he promptly puked on it. Thanks, Rainbow.

The baby shower went great. We held it at a frozen yogurt shop and the owners were super nice. They only charged us for the yogurt and not the room. It was quiet and we got to chat as much as we wanted. And smell the baby, of course!

Because we are proud Americans, we blew stuff up! My brother in law set of sparklers and stuff in the driveway, including chicken who, according to Joe, pooped atomic eggs.

Joe went with friends to their land to set off rockets and hike. He was gone all afternoon and got home at ten at night. We shoved him in the shower before feeding him a huge bowl of pasta with Nono's meat sauce. He was exhausted and happy!

Now we are home and everyone is tired, crabby, full of sugar and exhausted. I'm planning on laying low this week before all sorts of fun begins in WI!

Husband of the Year

(Yes, the Holiday Gift Guide is still active! Go here to win!)

Around Halloween, I was having a really, really bad week. Parent-teacher conferences went great and the teachers had nothing but glowing reports on all the children. Cole is making wonderful, rapid progress and has SURPASSED all his IEP goals! We will have to re-write his IEP a full FOUR months before it is due!

Why is this bad? Based on reports from a private evaluation and more observations, we can confidently say he has mild CAS. He is also sensory-seeking, not sensory avoiding like George. I knew this and knew it was coming but it was still a punch in the gut to hear.

Then... I was nervous about George's upcoming IEP and the transition to kindergarden information it would contain. Spoiler: it went great!

Then.... the SAME week that all this was going on, another uncle of mine had surgery for cancer.

THEN... a baby in our extended family had a giant mass removed from her chest. (The mass turned out ot be benign and she recovered faster than anyone expected!)

Really, God? REALLY?! Why don't I just lay here and You keep punching me, okay?

Needless to say, I was a little stressed and alot upset. THEN... at the end of the week, Adam and I were brushing our teeth and he said, "Honey, you know that business trip I was supposed to take the weekend of the fifteenth? It was all a lie."

My heart sank and, for a split second, I thought, "He's having an affair."

(Please note that this thinking is completely insane on my part. Completely. Like I said, bad week and my anxiety was already through the roof!)

Adam confessed to me that he had been planning a long weekend away since August. He knew I had been having a bad year and that November is always an emotionally hard month. He was just going to surprise me by taking me to the airport but decided (very wisely!) that he should clue me in, seeing as I needed something to look forward to, what with more ill relatives and all.

After shrieking something like, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THIS!!!" and "EVERYONE KNEW BUT ME?!" (Yes, they did- from my mother to my sister to my in-laws, several close friends including one I hadn't seen in ages! they all knew!) I hugged him and kissed him and made him tell me where we were going- so I could pack the proper clothes, you see.

We were going to Denver!

I was stoked and looking forward to seeing mountains- and, as I soon found out, a friend I hadn't seen in a long time. I told Adam that ten days notice was the perfect amount of time for a surprise. I had enough time to get the house and children ready and mentally prepare to leave them but not too much. It was still a surprise trip but not one I learned about at the airport (which would have REALLY bugged me and not in a good way! Besides, I want to pack my own clothes!)

My parents came to watch the kids and we were off for three fun filled days where we saw this....

Do you know what this is, dear friends? This is a MOUNTAIN. I hear-tell mountains are NOT FLAT and this is true. In fact, the whole area where we stayed was  NOT FLAT. For someone who is not an outdoors person but misses land forms with a deep ache in her soul, I was happyhappyhappy. We spent alot of time driving around, looking at the mountains, eating at local restaurants and doing a whole lotta nuttin.

For our ten year anniversary, we went to Washington, DC and stayed at a B and B. While that was perfect then, we got up early and were out of the bed and breakfast by nine am. This was fine, because in DC we wanted to DO STUFF and SEE ALL THE THINGS. In Denver, we wanted to a) sleep b)do nothing c) sleep. Oh, and be together. But, mostly, I wanted to sleep. This time, we stayed in a hotel which was perfect for staying in bed until nine am.

(It randomly turns out that Adam is an early riser. Around 6:30 Denver time, 7:30 to us, he would get up, shower and go get breakfast. Not that this was bad, as I would sleep, but we he would get back, he would try and social. Bleh!)

We drove up a mountain and went to Buffalo Bill's grave site because, why not, we were there. We also went to Idaho Springs which is just a neat town. I think it was an old mining town but now has cute restaurants and nice stores that are good for wandering around in. I even went into a Christmas store that had two adorable Holy Family statues and a cute vintage Santa. I could have spent alot of money there, and almost did, but Adam dragged me away. (Okay, I got one Christmas plaque.)

Adam wanted to go to the Coors plant, so we did. The only other scheduled thing we did was have dinner AND brunch with an old friend, C. C and I were friends in Korea and she and her sister are some of the few people I have known longer than I have known Adam. In fact, I remember telling C and her sister about meeting Adam and they were all floored since I was not they type of person to randomly meet and talk to guys! Adam finds it amusing how much alike we are- we like the same clothes and jewelry and we even randomly wore our hair in the same way. When we talked, it was like no time had passed.

This trip was just what we needed to relax and reconnect. Yeah, we came home to a broken garbage disposal and a tree down on our fence, but the kids (spoiled!) fine, the house is standing and we're getting ready to tackle the coming busy week- the someone's fifth birthday, my sister in town, the final count down to the NICU Thanksgiving.

Quick Takes Friday: Overheard and computer problems

1. My computer died late Saturday night. It was an epic death, complete with chicken pox like spots on the screen. It also left me freaking out that the novel I have been working on for two years was gone, gone, gone. This has happened once before (and we do not speak of that time, ever), so you would think I have stuff backed up, right? Ah, no. I didn't.
2. BUT I DO NOW! I went to visit the Nice Computer People. The NCP told me that my old laptop was notorious for giving people chicken pox spots and then dying an epic death. I told them that I didn't care about the computer but I did want all the files and, if possible, all the photos. (Yes, THOSE I had backed up on-line!) The NCP sold me a new to me computer, transferred all my files and everything is now backed up on a USB port. They also gave me a discount on the computer. I lub them.
3. We went to visit my parents this past weekend (which is where the computer death took place and my father had to talk me down). While we were there, Cole kept asking, "I eat ice cream cone? I eat ice cream cone?" I told him that if he looked at my parents charmingly and asked for an ice cream cone, I bet he would get one.
   
   He did and he did... in fact, he got two. Little turkey!
4. One the way home, he wasn't quite so cute. He napped really, really well for about 3/4ths of the way home and then woke up. For an entire HOUR, we had this conversation:
   
   Cole: Mommy, we go home?
   Me: Yes, Bear, we're going home.
   Cole: Okay. (two seconds later) Mommy, we go home?
   Me: Cole, what did I just say?
   Cole: We go home. (one second later) Mommy, we go home?
   
   I would have turned up the radio but we didn't get any stations! Ah!
5. Higgins the giant pesky dog continues to get on my ever-loving last nerve. When the kids play outside, we chain him to the house. Yes, the house. Yes, he is that big. If we don't chain him up, he runs away. (Don't feel bad for him. He has a fenced in backyard and several walks a day.) Somehow, he got off the chain. How, I am not sure. His caller was on, the chain wasn't broken and the clip was still intact. Yet, there he was, running down the street.
   
   Me, on the phone to Adam: I am standing outside, freezing my toes off, because YOUR DOG got off the chain.He still has his collar on. His chain is fine. He's running off down the street with YOUR CHILDREN chasing after him.
   Adam: Poor baby.
   Me: And CAMI ATE ALL MY GUMMIES!
6. Cole: Me lollipop! Me TWO LOLLIPOP!
7. I'm still getting used to this new computer. The keyboard is smaller and I need to re-install stuff like my Kindle app and bookmarks. Thankfully, though, everything seems to work okay.
   
   Head over to Jen's for more quick takes! And back up your hard drive!

Natural Parents Network: Traveling Alone

Traveling Alone at Natural Parents Network:

I have a post today at Natural Parents Network about "Traveling Alone." This past spring, I boarded a plane alone. For the first time since collage, I was traveling solo, without my husband or children for company. It was slightly exhilarating, although the reason was solemn; my uncle had passed away, and I was spending two nights away from home to attend his memorial service. As an attached parent, leaving my children is not a choice I make lightly. Sure, we leave them with trusted babysitters so we can have a date night. In nine years of parenting, we have left them all for an extended period of time just once, and even then it was with my parents. I have never gone away alone, overnight, unless it was a medical emergency! I simply couldn’t, or didn’t want to, leave my Herd. A few factors played into my decision to go alone this time. Continue reading at Natural Parents Network ››

Riding the Rails

I've recently become somewhat of an expert on train-riding. There's an active Amtrack line between my town and my parents', so if I am traveling alone, I often take the train. It's become so frequent that I have a preferred spot to in, I know the conductor by sight (looks an awful lot like my brother-in-law) and can tell whether or not we will be on time.

For all the wise cracks about flying and plane delays, the train is worse for getting to places on time. On one trip, we stopped for five minutes or more at every station and, let me tell you, the train stops at every Podunk station between our houses. If there is a freight train, my train had to stop to let it pass. At one point, we were going backwards! It drove me nuts!

Because of this, it takes longer to travel by train than it does to drive and certainly to fly ("hurry up and wait" time at the airport included). I can get to my parents house (door to door) in 4.5 hours. Station to station, it once took six. (Did I mention the whole going BACKWARDS thing?)

Food pickings can be slim too. They offer a variety of beverages and microwave meals but the days of a hot, cooked meal on the train are long, long gone. After six hours on the train and nothing to eat but a coffee and chocolate pastry at home, I never made that mistake again and always carried food with me. (Let's not talk about the vegan "bar" I bought at my train station.... we were daring each other to eat it! I still say it should be part of a hazing experiment at frat house.)

But you want cheap? Train travel is super cheap. I can't get to my parents' town for less than half a tank of gas in the mini-van but I can travel by rail for $30. It's also great for people watching. I've had some lovely conversations with people and had a moment where I was sure we were all going to be part of an episode of "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant!" live and in person! (We weren't. But for a moment there...) I've also listened to really bad country ballads ("This is the story of the War of Northern Aggression. . . .") and seen an entire Amish family get on. All of those are experiences I wouldn't have had in my car.

Another bonus? I don't have to pay attention. I get on, plug in my phone or laptop and zone out for 4-6 hours. I don't have to worry about safety instructions, pay attention to the road or listen to children squabble. (I travel alone when I take the train.) I read, I nap, I day dream. Whatever. It's kinda nice!

As I told my parents, train travel is great if the journey is part of your trip, if you need a cheap way to travel and don't have to be at a certain place at a certain time. It's also great if you want to be in your own zone for an entire trip but don't have a second driver. Otherwise... stick to the planes or cars.

Can you hear me now? phone edition

About a month ago, my phone began making a crackling, humming noise. I was sitting on the computer, getting an e-mail address off my phone so, for some reason, I thought maybe my phone was making a weird noise because it was too close to the computer. (It made sense at the time...) I moved the phone and plugged it, but it kept crackling. A few days later, I noticed that the photos it was taking were very, very blurry. Then it started sending text messages late. I would text Adam and he would get the message a week later!

Well, I can do without a camera on my phone but the late text messages were a bit disconcerting. I mean, what happens when I need him to meet me somewhere, pick up a kid or an emergency? I mentioned this to Adam, who said. "Hold on two more months, then you can get a new phone for free!" No problem there!

When we were at his grandparents house, Adam asked his grandfather if he wanted a new phone. Grandpa said no, his was working fine. Adam suggested we stop at the phone store, knowing that Grandpa's was also up for renewal/exchange and maybe we could get me a new phone instead!

We could! They said we could use the new phone for any phone on our plan. I selected the newer version of mine. I looked at a "slide" phone too. A few years ago, I didn't want a slide phone because I thought it would be too hard to text on it. Now, they are a smidge bigger, so I could use it easily... but you know what I would do? Sit there and flip the phone up and down, up and down, up and down... and break the darn thing. When I pointed this out to Adam, he agreed that the same, but NEWER, version of mine was the best option.

I had only one request. I had photos and video on my old phone that I wanted transferred. He assured me he could do it. I know it is a small, simple thing for them but it was and is a huge deal for me. I said that I would like the text messages transferred too but I was okay if he couldn't; it was the videos and photos I wanted. They helped me transfer some photos to the SD card and managed to transfer them to the new phone! Like I said, something so simple to them but it means a lot to me.

When I took the case off my old phone, I found peanut butter smeared on the inside of the case. Heh. The battery was also swollen and it did the weird clicking and humming noise for them too. Adam thinks we got me a new phone just in time before my old one bit the dust.

Oh! And as a special treat, I got a new pink Otterbox (some much more trim than my old black one!) and a new armband for running. My old one walked (ran?) away sometime after the DirtyDuo so I really needed a new one. I was shoving the phone into my bra and there's nothing like a sweaty, gross phone or boobs that Facebook people....

(What? Too much info?)

Anyway, my new phone is so sleek and Purdy and doesn't have peanut butter on it. I admit to being slow to load Angry Birds and Bad Piggies on it so my kids stop begging for it. I want to keep it sleek and pretty and smelling new as long as possible!

Annual Trip Up North

When Joseph was a little baby, Adam and I made a commitment to visit his grandparents every summer. We have done so, even while I was pregnant or had a small baby. We've driven the 9-11 hours to visit his grandparents with screaming infants, stopping to nurse, stretch legs, listening to endless hours of the Dukes of Hazard, and "Are we there yet?" Sometimes we make a quick detour to a local family-friendly amusement park but mostly we just hang out with his grandparents.

This year was more sedate than years past. We just hung out with his grandmother, eating the best chicken salad ever (pine nuts, craisins and green onions, oh yum!) and broasted chicken. We were able to go to a museum that had trains AND a World War Two reenactment. Everyone was happy. The reenactment people (is there a proper name?) were really awesome to the kids, allowing them to touch the equipment and ask questions. When it was time for the actual "battle" we took a train into the woods to watch. I was impressed that all four watched a bit of the battle and the older two gathered spent "bullets" at the end.

I DID get to meet one of my first "mom-friends." Our oldest children were in playgroup together over seven years ago. We met up for lunch and playing at the children's museum. George was in rare form but he actually ate some pizza! The child DOES NOT eat pizza so I was pretty surprised! That night, he ate a hamburger at "gr-uncle's" house. (Gravity Falls reference, for you non-parent folks.) He also does not eat hamburgers. I am not sure what was in the air up there, but it made him hungry and wanting to eat.

The kids played well with their friends and I even got pictures! Adam and I were so impressed with their behavior the whole trip and told them so. Aside from clogging Gruncle's toilet, they were the model great-grandchildren. They were so well behaved, Gruncle took the older two out to see his prized possession, an old car!

I hadn't been sleeping well so I caught up on my sleep in the car. It wasn't until the end that Cole completely lost his cool and cried but that was the last 15 minutes of the trip. All in all, it was a fairly relaxing trip, filled with my beloved cow beer and red meat. Can't ask for much more!

Quick Takes... Saturday

1.

I swear this is just becoming funny! Remember when someone thought I am my sister's mother? Or how we apparently dress alike? Well, this week one of my parents' friends came up to me and engaged me in conversation. The conversation was generic enough but my mom finally said, "Uh, you do know which daughter this is, right?"

He thought he did, but he was wrong.

 

2.

Not a few hours later, I was sitting with my back to the door and another one of their friends walked up. Before I could stand up, she gave me I hug. I didn't mind because I am a huggy person but, again, Mom said, "That's not who you think it is!"

 

3.

I now introduce myself as, "Hi! I'm not my sister!" Depending on who it is, I might add, "I'm the one they never talk about!" and wink.

 

4.

My dad's always good for random quotes:

Me: I haven't said anything I need to apologize for, have I?

Dad: No, but the week's still young!

 

I lasted 6 more hours after that.

 

5.

We are heading to the wilds up North this week. I'm hoping for less than 100 degree temps and mosquitoes that are smaller than a pterodactyl. Oh, and cow beer, New Glarus beer. My favorite is Spotted Cow (hence, cow beer) but I don't think they've made a bad beer. Oh, and a friend I haven't seen in years is going to be there! We try to meet every year (she has family in the same area) but it never worked until this year. I'm so excited!

 

6.

I have eaten more cupcakes, cakes and treat food this week than I have in the past month. I've also gone to bed late (like midnight or later) and slept (alone! uninterrupted!) until 8 am. I am getting fat, lazy and spoiled!

 

7.

I got nothing else but a headache! Head to Jen's for more Quick Takes by people who are sitting around, being a sloth and loosing track of time.

 

Are you my mother?

This week, I visited my sister’s family. Miss Who was having surgery so I went up to cheer her (and her parents) on. This time, we managed to not dress alike but we still look like, well, sisters and have (apparently) similar mannerisms. I was standing in the doorway of Miss Who’s room when a doctor came down the hall and said, “I know who’s sister you are!” He promptly tripped over a wayward IV pole and I contemplated throwing my body over the baby, to protect her from him. I mean, if the man can’t walk straight, he can’t be trusted to preform medical procedures on my sweet niece, right?

(No, he’s fine. Actually, he is the epitome of awesomeness, has earned the nickname Dr. Patronus and I am adopting him. He is THAT wonderful!)

So, right away this doctor pegged us as sisters. Fine, no problem. But as we were leaving my sister stopped to talk to the nurse at the front desk. They chatted about the baby (who is loved and adored by the entire staff AS IT SHOULD BE) and then the nurse asked, “Is this your mother?”

Blink.

Blink.

Now, I had just come off a looong train ride. I was brewing a pretty good migraine and really, really needed a glass of water and some dinner. There was a chance I had heard wrong.

But no.

My sister and I kinda looked at each other and I said, “No. I’m her older sister but I’m only 8 years older.” We said good night and left, befuddled.

The next morning, we told our mother this story, chuckling. I said, “I don’t even have grey hair! I’m not that old! I don’t even- no offense- dress like a grandma!”

“Well, you do dress like a mom,” she said practically. “Because, you know, you ARE one!”

“I do not wear mom clothes! Are you getting back at me for blogging about the mom jeans?” She didn’t answer. Hurmp.

Now. Logically, I can sorta see the nurse’s point. If my sister was very young (she’s not) and I had a baby very young (I didn’t) then yes I could be a very young grandmother. BUT I DON’T LOOK LIKE A GRANDMA! Right? RIGHT?

After huffing that I didn’t love either of them, I went to use the bathroom. On the back door, I thought I saw my bathing suit hanging to dry. I was confused, as I had left that particular suit at home. Then I realized… yes, my mother and I have bathing suits with similar prints.

You know what? All this I can get over. But when I was laughing about it my husband, he said, "You do tend to dress like an old lady. You wear long skirts."

"The maxi dress fashion is IN!" I informed him.

"No, that skirt," he said, gesturing to my peasant style blue skirt and ruffled top that I got lots of complements on when I wore it to an event at church. "Old ladies wear that skirt." [Note: No old ladies I know would wear that skirt.] "You should wear shorter skirts."

Ha. No.

No worries, though. I get the hint, peeps. I CLEARLY need a spa day, a color and cut and a whole new wardrobe! Who's in?

Radio Silence

I like to blog. I like to write. I have lots to say and am never quiet.

But this past week? It's been rough.

My last post was April 1 and it was a form post that many of us who work for NPN posted. I tend to write my posts in advance and schedule them out for the week, so it was already in the que, so to speak. That morning, though, I learned that my uncle had passed away.

It wasn't unexpected; we knew he was sick and my mother told me over Easter weekend that he was back in the hospital. Still, I was surprised at the amount of grief I felt and the strong, burning desire I had to go to his memorial and pay my respects.

Everything came together at the very last minute and I was able to travel to my original hometown (where I was born and spent the first ten years of my life) to be with my family. My father changed his plans at the very last minute and was able to fly instead of drive. Our planes landed ten minutes apart. They were both on time; in fact, all our connecting flights were on time or early. For the most part, the flights were smooth and I had pleasant seat-companions the whole way. I am NOT a fan of flying but I couldn't have asked for a better trip, especially since I was traveling sans husband or kids for the first time since college.

Driving to the hotel was a mini-adventure in an of itself, because the GPS refused to pick up satellite signals. Finally my father out smarted the GPS (ie, he had me turn it off and then on again) and I was able to amuse myself silly by taking photos of this:



Hills! trees!



Yes, I took pictures of the HILLS and TREES from the car window! For someone who has now lived in the flat Midwest for the majority of my life, I was stupid-happy to see landscape that is not flat and trees that are more than 50 years old. So what if it was overcast?! TREES, PEOPLE, AND THE HILLS!

When we came to the exit for the hotel, we pulled off into.... nowhere. Well, not nowhere- there was a gas station, small drugs store and the hotel.I think there was a ski rental place next to the hotel, which had a mostly empty parking lot. We stood in the cool breeze for a moment, wondering if one of the cars belonged to family members. (I ruled out the van from Quebec.) I finally looked at him and said, "I think I'm in a bad Hitchcock film."

He snickered. "Keep the lights on when you shower!"

"Dude, if the receptionist looks like the Bates Motel lady, I'm outta here!"

She didn't; in fact, we had nothing but excellent service. It was the right hotel and several other family members were there. I spent the next few hours catching up with my cousins and marveling at how big and empty my hotel room seemed without five other bodies crammed into it.

Saturday dawned bright and early, mostly because the person who stayed there before me had forgotten to turn off the alarm. I was up, so I showered and dressed in PEACE AND QUIET. I even put on make up and jewelry without being bothered! I used the restroom in peace! I marveled at this and then joined my father and a cousin for coffee and a talk about politics.

(Least you think this caused drama, it didn't. Dad and I argue and debate religion and politics all the time and we finally had someone who could match our wit. It was pretty awesome.)

Dad offered to take me to the house I spent the majority of my childhood in and I accepted. This house had been in the family for decades before my parents had to sell it when I was ten. It holds many wonderful memories for my cousins (both sides) and myself. Both my grandparents died there (at home, yes, which I now realize is such a blessing), my siblings and I can home from the hospital to that house. My parents were married in the backyard... like I said, so many significant and life altering moments. I had told my dad that I only wanted to see it if it was well-taken care of. Since he and my mother had been back about two years ago, he was able to assure me that it was.

It was. The house looked different but good different. We met the owner, who clearly loved the house and land as much as we had. I did feel a bit sorry for him though, because he recounted how another couple had been there "several years before" saying that this was their old family home. Ugh, yeah, that was the OTHER side of my family. Poor guy was getting stalked by us!

Traveling around the town, seeing my elementary schools and church, visiting my grandparents grave, was a bit surreal. It was like every memory I have coming out of my head and I was standing in it. Enough had stayed the same that I found myself saying, "The church is right up here" and I was right. I was home; I will never live there again, I likely won't be buried there but it was home, plain and simple. It will always be home.

My uncle's memorial was both heartbreaking and uplifting. As we drove up, we saw his neighbors walking up carrying plates of food. We had more food than anyone could ever eat and it was all delicious. The whole afternoon was informal; a minister was there and he read from the Bible and said a few words but he mostly guided the conversation and stories. I met the last few people on the planet who still call me by my first and middle name (I kinda like that they do) and we swapped memories of when we were little. I hadn't seen them in 20 years and we are back in contact again, which makes me so happy.) I loved on my cousins twins and chatted with the neighbors. Kids ran around, playing outside, reminding us that life goes on and his legacy lives in his children and grandchildren, the memories of his friends and the wonderful woodwork he created.

I held it together for most of the afternoon but I nearly lost it when I had to say good bye to my aunt. The image of her and my grandmother hugging and crying is something I will never forget. I think my heart broke a bit.

I was physically and emotionally exhausted that night. My aunts had to wake me up for dinner and I turned in early (for me) to enjoy the last night alone in a giant bed with no children to hog it. I even slept in the next morning.

Breakfast the next day was more rushed. When Dad asked if I was ready to go, I said, "No, but I'll go brush my teeth." I didn't want to leave. In spite of the very sad reason I was there, I felt happy. Relaxed. I'm sure part of it was because I was alone without any responsibilities but it also felt very natural to be in my first hometown. I know I am exactly where God needs me to be and where I need to be for my children...but I can still love that town too.

And, yes, I cried when I left my family.

The flights home were smooth and I got in early. Sunday was Bear's birthday so I gave my birthday boy a big hug and kiss. The house was standing, even if it was two steps above being on Hoarders. (Seriously, kids, why do I keep finding spoons in random places?) I spent all Monday cleaning up the Styrofoam from the packing on the boys new twin beds. Cole was a little more clingy than normal but none of them were the worse for spending two nights with just Daddy. As an added bonus, Adam got a taste of what I go through when he leaves!

So. That's the reason for my silence. I hope to pick up the writing pace a bit now. I've been feeling a bit more reflective (a memorial will do that to ya) but overall, I'm doing okay.

Overheard:
Me, to Aunt #2: Oh, did I ever tell you that you're my favorite aunt?
Aunt#1: Laura, did you say something?
Me: Me? No, just telling your sister how YOU are my favorite aunt!

Overheard: Just like Mom!

While I was visiting my parents house, the zipper on my jeans broke. I literally stood up and it split in two. Yeah, that did nothing for my self-esteem. Thankfully, I had a skirt with my but I needed a pair of jeans for that day's outfit. My sister was no help, because she is in the Family Way and all her jeans currently have an elastic panel. My mother is taller than I am (eh, who isn't?) but offered me a pair of her pants until I could get to Target. I accepted, but questioned if they would be too long for me.

Mom: Well, you could just roll them up.
Me: Um, no. I'm not eight and I hated it then and I hate it now!
Mom: Just until you get to Target.
Me: Maybe.

My mom pulls out a pair of her jeans and I know they will fit... because they are the exact same style of jeans that I buy. Great. I not only wear Mom-jeans but I wear GRANDMA jeans!

I bemoan this fact as she pulls out another pairs and says, "Oh, capris! These should be the perfect length for you!"

Thank you, Mom. Not only do we wear the same jeans, you just told me I am so short that I can wear capris as jeans! Okay, yeah, well maybe I can but...

I need a drink now And a gym.

Flashback: Why We Will Never Go Back to Branson

Orginally published in July of 2006. Joseph was twenty seven months old and potty training. Camille was six months old. My brother was about to leave for basic training and my parents had the brilliant idea to have "one last family trip" together. It was a nice idea in theory but in reality... no.


After spending the morning with friend's while The Caminator and I went to a training session, Joseph helped me pack the van. When Adam came home, we threw the last minute items in the car and headed towards Branson, a 2-3 hour drive.

About 3/4ths of the way there, I smelled... something. Adam did too and we made plans to stop ASAP to change Joseph's pull-up. Then we heared, "Uh-oh. Blankey poopy."

Uh-oh indeed. Adam pulled over at the nearest town and we saw The Mess. It was the Worst Kind of Car Trip Mess. We drove... and drove... and drove all over town looking for a Wal-Mart parking lot. We had planned to stop and use one billion diaper wipes to get Joseph and his car seat presentable enough for the measly hour left in the car.

Then I had a light bulb moment. A friend had used one of those coin operated hand-held car washes to clean her son's exasaucer. I gave this idea to Adam, who thought I was brillant. We drove around looking for one of those before finding one at a Conaco.

I pulled Joseph out of the van and used a bunch of wipes and a trash bag at my feet to clean him off. I decided I didn't love his 50 cent garage sale find shorts enough to keep them, so they went in the bag with the pull-up. Adam clipped Blankey to the floor mat clips and hosed him off. Let me tell you, a power spray realllly gets poop off a blanket. Joseph stood there, howling, "Bllllaaannnkeeeey!"

Adam dragged the car seat to the hose and sprayed it off too. We got Joseph's legs, calling out, "It's not child abuse! It's poop!" to passerbys. (They were headed towards the condom machine. Ironic?) One man meantion he had three children... and he was chuckling at us.

Thankfully, I always carry trash bags with me, so we put one on the seat, one on the car seat, a thin blanket and set the slightly less stinky Joseph on it. We suddenly agreed that we needed a new car seat for Adam's car, so we headed to KMart for the cheapest seat we could find.

One new car seat, a pack age of pull-ups, laundry soap, Fabreeze and a MatchBox car later, we were out of KMart. As I waited in line with our purchases, I heard a mother trying to encourage her teenage daughter to get her tounge peirced. The cashier had a tounge peircing and they were telling the daughter how awesome it would be. I really, really wanted to say something but I had a feeling they would just dismiss me as a hot, tired, poop smelling mother with a baby who was diving-bombing for my boob. Not that that was happening, or anything.

While Adam installed the car seat, I climbed in the back to nurse the Very Hungry Camille. The breeze was blowing and the night was cool, so the hatch and both doors were open. A car pulled kitty-corner to us and a man and his young daughter (10-12) got out. The gentleman said, "Ma'am?" so I answered, "Yes?" rather coolly. Who was this guy and why was he talking to me?

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was talking to someone else," he said very politely. I smiled and nodded.

After he finished his conversation, he walked past my car, turned his head to look back at me and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell earlier. I am very sorry."

I thought he thought he had disturbed Camille nursing, so I said, "Oh, you weren't yelling! Don't worry about it! I was just sitting back here, nursing my baby. You didn't bother us at all!"

The man turned beet red, I could see this even in the dusk, and started falling all over himself with apologizes. "I'm so embaressed. I didn't even realize you were doing that! I thought you were enjoying the cool breeze! I didn't see the baby! I'm so sorry!"

I was laughing and trying to reassure the poor guy. "No, I nurse anywhere! You have nothing to be sorry for!" and so but he just spun around and RAN into KMart! The poor guy; I think I must have scarred him for life!

We finally got into Branson late that night. I really, really wanted a shower but I laid down with Camille to nurse her to sleep. Joseph had ANOTHER blow out and we popped him in the shower. As Adam tucked him into bed, I climbed into the shower... and considered never coming out.

Surprisingly, we have traveled with the children since this trip. Not surprisingly, we have zero desire to ever go to Branson again.

What is your best or worst memory of a vacation?

Oh, say can you see?

Every year, for eight years, we have taken a trip to see Adam's grandparents. They are no longer able to travel, so we travel to see them. Since this is our ninth trip (we took two in 2004), I pretty much have the routine down pat. I know what to pack, how to pack it and where to put it in the car. The older kids know how to count out their clothes, what to bring me, and what they are carrying in their backpacks. As I told Adam, "I got this down."

This year, I was on the ball, baby. I had just gotten my new giant XXL Utility Tote from Thirty One. It is a hostess exclusive item and this baby can hold some gear. I packed enough clothes for six people for six days, plus church clothes, laundry soap, shoes and bath suits, into the three bags. I used my utility tote in Awesome Blossom for my items. The laptop and iPad went into a new bag I won in a giveaway. I took the large utility tote and picnic thermal for food, along with another bag. Toss in two packages of diapers, the kids and their backpacks and we were ready to rock and roll.

Everything went smoothly until we were eating breakfast in a small town in the midwest. Adam and I opened the trunk of the car and I realized that I had left my cosmetic case with all my make up, face wash, shampoo. . . . and contacts (save the one pair I was wearing) and glasses at home. To quote Scooby-Doo, "Ruh-roh!"

If you know me, you know I cannot go for long (at all) without my contacts. I can wear my glasses but I can't see as clear with them. I am so nearsighted that everything is blurry... and I do mean everything. My contacts are a daily wear, so having only the pair I was currently wearing was a big, big, big problem.

After cursing under my breath and trying not to cry, we racked our brains to think of someone to call. Adam's sister and parents were out for two different reasons. We finally (at 8:30 am!) called a friend and begged her to overnight my supplies to me. She agreed. It cost us 55 dollars but she did it for us.

Meanwhile, I had one or two days in which I had no contacts and I didn't have my script on me to easily get a new one.Adam suggested Lens Crafters and although I was doubtful they would get such a  strong prescription together in a short amount of time, I agreed.

The people at Lens Crafters at the mall were very kind and understanding. I got an appointment for the next day. Meanwhile, I hit up a local store for make up, face wash and contact cleaner. I also called my mother and tried not to cry on the phone. It had been a long trip, I had forgotten my stuff and the kids were insane. I was just ... done.

I do NOT recommend this, but I was able to take out my daily wear contacts and soak them in a lens solution overnight. Carefully, I put them in the next day and was able to get another day's wear out of them. There simply was no other option; I needed them to see until I got my lenses!

I did have a mild panic/b!tch attack when they told me to take out my contacts to check my vision. I was all, "You don't understand! If they rip or tear I am UP THE CREEK. I can't see without them!" Most people don't believe how bad my vision is until they check for themselves. Thankfully, the doctors were very understanding and promised they would sell me a week's worth of soft contacts to get me by.

Oh.

Duh.

See, before January, I had always worn hard contacts. I am so, so used to people having to special order my contacts that I had forgotten most eye doctors can and do keep soft contact lenses in stock.

Yeah.

I calmed down and proceeded to get new glasses. I desperately needed new ones anyway, since my other two pairs were bent and broken. I picked out a nice purple pair that make me want to sing "Marian.... madame librarian!" from Music Man. But they work and I can see!

Armed with new contacts and new glasses, we went back to Grandma's house for lunch. As soon as we arrived, I saw a package on her front stoop. It was my toiletries, including my glasses and contacts! I now had double of everything! I groaned. Had I known that the package would have been here the next day (we were orginally told two days because we were in such a small town) I might have just suffered through. Oh, well.

To top off the exciting trip, our little boys ended up with hand, foot and mouth disease! George spent most of his time either laying on the floor in full, overwhelmed sensory meltdown or being confused by all the people named Joe or George. (And the fact that Grandma spoke about her son, David, really did him in! Poor kid- it won't be any better in July when everyone at my family reunion is named some variation of Carol, Robert, Ruth or Helen.) Joseph was not amused at being the oldest but Camille had a fan club in one of her younger cousins. We discovered that all the great-grandchildren look alike, leaving no hope for the in-laws (spouses of Grandma's grandchildren) of getting a child that looks like them!

But the one thing I did lean? Always triple check the car to make sure you have everything or you will spend part of your vacation at Lens Crafters making sure you can see!

Sweet Memories

Whenever we ask the kids what they want to do when we visit their great-grandparents, hanging out with Adam's uncle and his dog top the list. This year, they remembered the fire Uncle built in his backyard and s'mores. It was a hit and they spent most of the evenings at his house gathering fire wood, sitting in front of the fire and waiting (pretty patiently!) to roast marshmellows... and burn a few for Mommy.

This is the stuff childhood memories are made of.

Big news and why I've been quiet

Adam and I just got back from a 5 day trip to Washington, DC. Note I said "Adam and I" not "Adam and myself and the Herd." That's right, the very attached, very natural minded parents left their four young children home (but not alone!) for five days.

This trip really began four years ago, when I was pregnant with Georgie. We went away for our six week anniversary but I was just pregnant with the then-named Waffle and Adam was about to have ankle surgery. We went to a B and B two hours away while Joseph and Camille stayed with my parents.

When we got back we were thrusted into getting the house ready to sell, my pregnancy, Adam's surgery, the NICU, house buying, selling, moving, PTSD, PPD and another pregnancy. In the fall of 2009 I remember begging Adam for a real vacation for just the five of us. I needed to get away and relax. We couldn't afford it then and more stuff kept happening- the apraxia, the SPD, Georgie beginning school. Life was insane and busy.

On somewhat of a whim, Adam began looking at bed and breakfasts and air fare to Washington. He found a cute B and B close to all the musems and shops. It had great reviews and the price was super reasonable. He booked it last May and called me, telling me to pack my bags for March 2012 because we were going away- alone! I called my parents, so excited that they could hardly understand me. When they realized what I was saying, they promised to come and watch the kids.

I was nervous about leaving my children, especially for such a long time. Cole was still nursing but we were weaning at night. He can and does go to bed without nursing but I was still worried about leaving him... and would I be uncomfortable and wind up with an infection on the trip?

Nothing of the sort happened. I had one day when I was a little "fuller" than normal but other than that, everything was great. I did miss the kids but I also enjoyed walking around the city, seeing everything we ever wanted to see. I met up with friends from Korea and we went to Mt. Vernon. We stood in the same spot where we met and marveled at how far we have come in the almot 18 years we have known each other. We went to the Melting Pot for our offical early anniversary dinner, walked some more (I have the blisters to prove it!) and went on a night tour of the city.

We came home to a very excited dog, four wound up children, a tired grandmother (she won't admit it but I think she's beat!) and a toddler who can still nurse. (Weird but whatever!) I'll photo bomb the blog and add details later but Dorothy was right- there's no place like home!