Driving Home

I figured you might be happy to know we arrived safely home.  It was a loooong 12 hour day of travel, and we did it all in one shot.  The kids were marvelous and the dog was great.  We stopped every 2 hours so Levi could get out and go to the bathroom, and it worked out really well. We found some decent places to let him (and us!) stretch the legs, and we discovered that yes, you can use a McDonald's parking lot, but I wouldn't recommend it.   I had my book on tape and it kept me entertained and able to drive.  It wasn't a memorable trip, which is a good thing.  Just miles and miles and hours and hours of moving along.

With 2 empty seats in the van, there was plenty of room for Levi.  He was very happy to lay across the backseat with Marian for part of the drive.

Callie took this picture.  She wanted to  take pictures so I could blog them.  However, they were mainly like this.  It did rain a little and we hoped it went north to AR, where is is badly needed.  There was no rain when we needed to stop to walk the dog, so I was pleased we were so blessed.

One happy doggy, sprawled across the front seat.  He did a great job on the drive. 

So we're home how.  Back to 99% humidity and misery.  And it is rainy here.  Blah.  I'm going to sulk for a few days and then I'll put on my big girl pants and get to the business of having fun at home.  Please pray that we get some families moving in who have kids that will play outside with my kids.  We so badly need that.  I know there are kids here, but none of them ever go outside.  Marian is so sad that she has no friends, and Callie's closest friends moved out while we were gone.  So we have empty houses around and we really really want new friends to move into them!

Desperation

Desperation is when your 4 year old declares that she really, really, really has to go to the bathroom right now. And you are on a road where there are no bathrooms.  Not only are there NO bathrooms, but you happen to be driving on the 50 mile stretch of Louisiana road that goes over the marshy ground, so it is essentially a bridge that goes on and on and on.  It has nowhere to pull over.  And no bathrooms.  Just miles and miles of road ahead and marsh underneath you.

True desperation is when your 4 year old says she really can't hold it anymore and you still have at least 30 miles to go.  And nowhere to turn off.

Yep.  That is desperation.  That might lead you to drive 78 in a 60mph zone until you realize it is not going to be enough. (And you can't afford the time or ticket if you get caught.)  Then you might have your child fish around to find 3 pull-ups in the trunk.  You might even have the 4 year old put them on one at a time and pee just enough to fill each one until she feels better.

Desperation just might lead you to do something so.... desperate.  Desperate?  Some might call that genius!

How to ruin your sleep

It has been hot in Arkansas.  106 degrees of hot most days.  It is hot at night, and that makes it harder to sleep.  So I have been quite cross to have lost sleep for other reasons.

What other reasons?  Well, as I was drifting off to sleep the other night, I felt a tick.  I know, Ick Factor of 100%.  Not only did I have to deal with that, but I had to deal with weird buggy dreams, and I had to freak out over every itchy feeling.  There's nothing like spending all night wondering if more nasty things are crawling on you.

And adrenaline is not conducive to sleep.  When I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, I'm bleary eyed and lacking contact lenses or glasses.  When in a stupor of sleepy autopilot, I  grab a peice of toilet paper and end up with a daddy long legs in addition to the important papers.... well, how would you feel?  I know it was nearly impossible to fall back asleep after I finally calmed my racing heart.

Awesomeness!

 We're wrapping up the family fun here in Branson.  We're fleeing the hotel like rats on a sinking ship.  Well, sort of.  we're slowly collecting our far flung items and working them towards the van.  I am obviously not working hard right now.  But shortly, I will be in a frenzy of car-loading activity.  then I'll corall children, throw them in the car and we'll drive away sadly.  It has been a LOT of fun!

 Here is the whole gang- my folks, their 6 children and 6 spouses, plus 24 grandchildren!  Good times!

Yes, we do have a nice family picture too!

 We went to an indoor waterpark and the kids had a blast.  It was a lot of fun for them.

 We went back to Silver Dollar City too.  Dan came with us this time and it was just as much fun as the first time we went!

I love this picture because of the look on Marian's face!

And we spent a lot of time at the pool.  

Somehow a week wasn't long enough!  Marian said it went too fast and it sure did!!  I am so glad we got to spend time with my family.  I love them! But now I have to pack my laptop and get my rear in gear so we can leave.

Joy in your Posterity!

 It is Family Reunion Time!  Whoo-hoo!  I suppose if you don't like your family, or they are all boring, this might not not sound like the truly fabulous event that it is.  I am doubly delighted because this is the first time in probably 15 years that we have had our entire family together.  I know, how awesome is this?!  No one is missing!

 It means lots of fun in the pool!

It means lots of fun at the pavilion.

 And it means TONS of family pictures!  Here we are collecting everyone.

Yep, those 2 are mine.

We did a photo with Grandma and Grandpa with all their grandees.  I just love that my dad has a kid in each arm. And Steven's face is making me laugh!

Yep, that's them with all 24 of their grandkids. And yes, most of them ARE under the age of 10!

 Our family photo.  I'm hoping the official photographer got some really good ones.

Miranda and her favorite men.

 Jonathan and his family.

Yeah, I had a hard time getting a good angle on this one.  Something about having to try to get a picture past 3 other people taking shots and using my camera left handed as I also took shots with Deborah's camera in my right hand!  I hope I got better pictures on her camera.

Andy's family.

And the after-picture celebration!

 Apparently Uncle Dan was the one to climb on!  He's got 4 children on him here!

And somehow, I missed Adam and his family' s picture.  So sad.  But here is Adam and his adorable little boy!  I'll have to snatch someone else's family picture of them.

So there you have it.  Joy abounds, fun abounds, family abounds, and utter chaos reigns!