It was the Best Of Times

Woke up this morning drug my tired bottom out to the balcony of the condo and took a final look at the ocean view. The vacation is over and it’s time to head back to the realities of life.

This week has been a memory making week. My kids saw the ocean for the first time. Dipped their toes in and then their whole bodies after swearing they wouldn’t get in. I got to spend time with a good friend and spend time away from the stresses and worries of life back home. (for the most pasrt) There were ofcourse moments where it was impossible to forget what remained behhind in Indiana. I phone call or text bringing me back to reality, but for the most part it waas a relaxing getaway.

A vacation with two adult women and our children was an adventure in and of itself. My kids were pretty good for the most part,...they had their moments ofcourse where i wanted to throttle them, but I think overall it was a lot less scary then I thought it would be. Ofcourse mom had her moments too. When her estrogen and progesterone were running rampant. When she was missing home, her bed, her house, her guy. Jen and I both did. Thank God neither of us were suffering through PMS, I can only imagine how the week might have gone LOL

But it’s been an adventure that I will never forget with people that I love and cherish. And I know my kids now have this memory to add to the good things they did as children. Maybe someday they’ll realize how brave mom was to take the adventure LOL

It’s going to be a shock to go back home and get back into the groove of things. The weather will be colder, the pace faster, kids will be back in school, I’ll have to dealwith people and situations that I tried to avoid while here. But I think when I’m having a really stressful day perhaps I can close my eyes, listen carefully and hear the ocean waves crashing against th esandy beach. And perhaps for a moment I’ll feel the calm that has been a part of the oceans magic this week.

I’ll be waking the kids up in a few minutes and readying them to make the trip back home. That in and of itself will be an adventure as we are going to try to drive all the way through. Jen, Ethan and Olivia are staying behihnd to soak up one last day of spring break before heading back. So it will be the 6 of us making the journey. I’ve never driven with my kids alone that far, so yet another milestone, another achievment, another thing that makes me feel strong and independent will come to pass.

In the quiet of the morning, whilst everyone sleeps, I have to utter my goodbyes.
Goodbye sweet sunset. You warmed my mornings with your colorful hellos and started my days with a vibrancy that only you could.

Goodbye ocean. With your rushing noises, your salty air and your reminders that thi sworld is much bigger than we can even fathom.

Goodbye Seagulls. with your ravenous appetities and your keeen awareness of where the people with food are. I’ve enjoyed watching you.

Goodbye sea creatures. I might not have seen many of you but I knew you were out there. And that thought, that millions of you existed just below the surface of the waves always made me smile.

Goodbye pelicans. I loved watching you fly over the sea, dive bomb for fish and fly in your groups.

Goodbye dolphins. You are so amazingly beautiful. I’m in awe of your life and the beauty youbring to ours.

Goodbye sea shell riddled beach. You were warm on our feet when the air was cool, and you blew in our eyes a lot LOL

Goodbye warm sun. I know I’ll see you soon in Marion, but it just won’t be the same.
Goodbye breezy nights. You bit and blew, but you were just what I needed some nights to bring me out of the reality back home and into the loveliness of the week.

Goodbye lazy days of lying on the beach, watching he kids build sandcastle or fly kites. I will definatel ymiss you!

Goodbye Condo. I actually enjoyed you very much.

Goodbye balcony that overlooked the beach. You gave me so many wonderful views.
Goodbye South Carolina. I look forward to seeing you again someday and having you welcome me back into all your beauty with open arms!

What am I?

So we’re At the bech, Jen and I are sunning ourselves while our angels played when the oldest came to us with a true story. Guess if you can what it was she was talking about.

"We rolled it over a few times....I poked at it....I opened up its flaps....I poked a slit in it then I put it in the slit a couple times and then it gushed all over the place."

Then after proceeding to tell me that story she shoved something in my face and told me to smell it.

OK so what was she talking about???

Salt Sand and Seabreeze

There’s something about the ocean that seems to always send me into a whirlwind of epiphanies and revelations. The last time I was at Myrtle Beach a lot had and was changing in mylife. I can remember sitting on the beach pondering life. This time has been very similar. Perhaps it’s the vast expanse of the ocean reminding me that there is a God. Or it’s the dolhpins the mazing creatures they are. Maybe it’s just the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing against the beach, or the wind blowing, or the sand,...I’m not sure.

But even with the kids here, and friends, I seem to have already had so many epiphanies. Mostly amazingly good. I might have had them eventually regardless if I’d come here, but then again maybe not.

i know i feel amazing in my soul. Like I’ve discovered these treasures that make my heart and spirit feel incredible.

I probably won’t get into them much right now, but you know me at some point I’m sure I’ll share some of the inner workings of my mushy brain. Just had to share that besides just the fun in the sun and much needed physical exodus from marion, there has also been a lot of spiritual, emotional, and mental changes and metamorphosis happening as well.

The Adventure Continues

I won’t lie. By mid day yesterday I was beginning to wonder if we were ever going to make it to Myrtle Beach. Jen and I and 7 childrenon the road to an adventure we will not soon forget. We did make it however, and none too soon I might add.

I woke at the hotel at 7am. Everyone was still sleeping. It was quiet. Oh how enjoyed the quiet. Cherished it for the few moments it was there, because I knew that soon, the kids would be up, we’d be on the road and the noise would be a mighty humming of anticipation and excitement.
After a cup of coffee I dressed. Then the girls woke up. I let the two of them (Gabi and Jalynn) get dressed, we texted Jen and the four of us headed down to the continental breakfast area. What a site I’m sure it was to see us loading up 6 plates full of goodies. Bagels, muffins, boiled eggs, yogurt, cereal, milk. I ran into a woman who said she was headed to Myrtle Beach as well. she commented how well behaved my girlie girls are.I smiled and informed her that they were still half asleep. :)

Back in the room i woke Kirstan and Jeremy told them to eat and get dressed. After we were all done and had most everything packed I got up my little sunshine from where she slept in the pak n play dressed, fed and burped her and then we were off.

Olivia (jens daughter) had woke up not feeling well at all, so we knew it might be a rough morning, but we were prepared - we thought.

The traffic was much better then the day before. We seemed to making good time. Jeremy, Jalynn, Kirstan and Greenlee were in my car with me, and Jen was in front of us with Gabi, Ethan and Olivia.

We were about 45 minutes down the road when we pulled into an area that was up in the mountains. It was a camping and rafting site. Rustic cabins for gas stations, a group of people in rafting gear waiting to load up onto a bus that had rafts tied to the top. Olivia was feeling ill. We stayed there for a few minutes , went to the bathroom etc, then we were off again.

We were now driving through the mountains. The kids wwere amazed. it was gorgeous. As we drove we found ourself at the top, at the eastern continental divide. Elevation 2130 ft. But what goes up must come down. So we made our ascent down steep grades. Combined with the 80 degree weather and the curves on the road it was all a little nauseating.

It wasn’t long before Jens car whipped onto the shouler, her haard popped on and the back door flew open. I expected to see Olivia hope out but instead my little Gabi jumped from the car spewing nastiness. I went out and tried to help her. Oh she was soooo sick.She stood for a few minutes, and i think Kirstan , jen and I almost lost our breakfast as well.

By the look on Jen’s face i could tell. Gabi hadn’t made it to the stop. I peered into the backseat where gabi had been and much to the annoyance of my already queezy tummy I discovered that Gabi had pretty much covered everything with her breakfast. DVD player, Cd’s, Gameboys, coats, hats, sweaters, the floor, the seat. GULP it was grody. We spent probably 20 to 30 minutes getting it cleaned up, wiping off salvageable items. Getting the chunks off. (I know gross, huh? Well you should have been there. BLECK)

i switched jeremy for gabi and we headed off again. Gabi still felt a little bad so I gave her a wet wipe, she threw it over her face and fell asleep.

We were on our way again. The trip wasn’t bad. We got into a city and Jen pulled into Arbys. We parked and i was abotu to get out whenI noticed a cop had pulled in behind us with his lights on. How had I missed him? he came up to the window, sai dhe clocked me doing 49mph and Jen doing 47mph in a 35mph zone. Umm how is that possible when I was following her? Urgh. Anyways he tried to act like he was doing us a favor but he could have given us a warning. Instead we ended up with $145 ticket. BOTH of us.

So we went through drivethrough, got gas and hit the road again.

I swear to you I never want to hear, "how much further," or "are we there yet?" again.

About an hour from our condo we pulled over into a visitor center. jeremy jumped out of Jen’s car and says he has to go and can’t hold it. I’m about to take him when jen tells me he’sgoing to need a clean change of pants. DO WHAT?!

Yep, he couldn’t hold it and did his "Doody". Got him cleaned up and headed back out. We finally made it to Myrtal beach and Kirstan was in heaven LOL Lots of cute boys. Grabbed the keys, unloaded the vehicles and headed up tot he condo. Some guys helped us get on the elevator and asked if we were planning on staying a year. HAHA what do they expect? 6 females and two males. Ofcourse we have LOTS of stuff!!

the kids were in awe of the condo, and you should have seen them go to the balcony and see the ocean. Gosh that almost made the drive timw worth it!!

It took us a while to get things put in rooms and get the kids a little settled, but once we did Jen took the kids down to "touch" the ocean for the first time. I stayed with Greenlee as the wind was just too chilly. (it was about 8:20 pm.)

The kids jumped and hopped in the water , their jeans rolled up. Mine , who had said earlier they wouldn’t get int he water were going in knee and waste deep. :) One at a time the waves would knock them down and they’d land full clothed sitting onthe ocean floor. it was adoreable.
After they came back up, showered of fthe salt water and sand, Jen and I Ethan and Olivia headed to the grocery store. Milk was freakin $4.19 a gallon!!! We shopped then headed back home. jen made us all a fabulous italian meal then decided to give Greenlee some "real" food, as the girl has been eating a gazillion bottles of formula a day. Greenlee loved the cereal with applesauce. I didn’t think she was going to ever quit eating. LOL by the time she was done she was covered in yummy goo. I got my kids to bed and Jen bathed greenlee in the sink. SOOOO CUTE!

Then we hid egss for an easter egg hunt today, and tried to figure out if we had an internet connection. We do thank goodness!!! So all the kids wwere in bed near midnight and Jen and I finished up around 2am.

Ha it was a very very long day. But we made it. the kids saw the ocean, touched it and were amazd by it. :) Kirstan even says she now wants tomove here. :)

Now we have a week of rest and relaxation. Crazy kids, the ocean, southern hospitality, high grocery prices,etc.

We are going to have a blast. SERIOUSLY!!! Hopefully the weather is as nice as it was on the drive!!

More adventures will come I’m sure :) Can’t wait.

Myrtle Beach

Well despite obstacles, we’re leaving for Myrtle Beach in two hours!! First there was money isssues, which almost prevented me from going. Then yesterday the car rental place called and said they’d overbooked their rentals and they didn’t have the car they’d promised, in fact they said they didn’t have ANY vehicles available. (stillnot sure that they will have one when we go in to pick up at 9am- Jen is working some kind of voodoo magic on this one) But hopefully all goes well we’ll be leaving in 2 1/2 hours for South Carolina! Me, my friend Jen, her two kids, and 5 of my kids.

Yes we are probably crazy, and may come back with a few more gray hairs, but I am anticipating a fabulous time!!!! My kids have never seen the ocean before, so it will be fun to watch them absorb the beauty of it all. It will be a long drive. 13 1/2 hours if no stops, and ofcourse there will be stops LOL In fact we’re leaving today at 9:30am driving to Knoxville, TN and staying the night there in a hotel then leaving Saturday to go the rest of the way.
I’m so excited. We’re planning an Easter egg hunt on the beach!! So many awesome memories to make. Haven’t been to Myrtle Beach since 2005 (That was my first and only time to see the ocean) It was amazing and I’m sure this time will be even moreso. Can’t wait to share photos!!
Here are a few I took last time. I can almost hear the ocean. :)

I’m taking my laptop, so given we have internet I’m sure I’ll be giving updates!

Later Tators! Have a great Spring Break!

Half Way There

We’re resting safe and sound in Knoxville now. Kids were overall pretty good during the ride. Including stops i think it took us about 8 hours to get here. Which isn’t bad considering a lunch stop and two bathroom stops including gassing up.

The hotel is too cute, never would have thought to decorate with green, orange, and blue but it is cute. I am exhausted but can’t sleep yet. Ofcourse the kids are fighting sleep. Tummies are full of Pizza hut, they should be tired from swimming in the hotel pool. So hopefully soon they’ll be off to dreamland. Mommy needs some quiet time!! Greenlee is passed out for the time being. she was amazingly good during the drive.

I am driving an HHR. Very interesting. Like a little mini SUV. Ofcourse it’s still small enough that everyone in anything bigger thinks they need to cut me off!! Grrr.

So anyway, tomorrow we’ll be up eat breakfast and then hit the road again until we reach Myrtle Beach. Hopefully all goes as well as it did today!!!

20 Things My Kids Need To Learn

Twenty Things My Kids Need To Learn

1. How to take all the crap out of their pockets before I throw it into the washing machine.

2. How to put the toilet seat lid down after peeing (boys)

3. How to flush

4. How to push their chairs in when they leave the table

5. That cleaning your room does NOT mean hiding everything behind your dresser and under the bed.

6. How to rinse the toothpaste out of the sink after brushing their teeth.

7.How to manage disagreements themselves without yelling, "MOM!!!!"

8. How to put their backpacks and coats up when they come home and not throw them on the floor.

9. What voice volume control means

10. How to entertain themselves for at least an hour

11. That No does not mean bug Mom and pester Mom until she says yes.

12.That no matter how many times you ask what time a special movie comes on it will not make it come on sooner.

13. To talk one at a time

14.When the baby is screaming at the top of her lungs is NOT the time to ask if you can do something

15. That bedtime and lights out does NOT mean take a black permanent marker to bed with you and tattoo your sisters wrist, ears, back and bootay.

16. That just because mom has checks and a credit card doesn’t mean that money grows on trees or in ATM machines

17. That books are for reading, barbie cars and monster truck toys are for plsying with and not for putting under your feet and skating on.

18. That washing dishes does not mean leaving a thin scum of milk at the bottom of a cup.

19. That while it is true that mud washes away that does not mean go outside and slide around in it until your body is covered in it, your shoes are soaked in it, and you can no longer tell what color your coat is.

20. Lip gloss is for your lips not to eat or draw on the walls with.