Sunday, January 15, 2006

David Vs. the Scarlet Ibis

We took many day trips to Moody Gardens there in Galveston, Texas.

Moody Gardens is an indoor habitat learning center in the shape of a pyramid, along with a 2nd pyramid in which we rode a "Swimming with Dophins" simulator ride---uggghhh, I feel seasick remembering it---

Walking through the rain forest was a favorite. You could look down and see fish swimming all around, birds just out and about in the open, GIGANTIC fish that looked like they could/would eat you if given the right opportunity, butterflies all around. It was just so relaxing and warm.....aaaahhhhh. I'd love to go back again !

Whenever we had company or family visit, Galveston Island was where we wanted to spend time with them and share one of our favorite places.

In fact, here's Jeff's little brothers: Josh (in the cowboy hat) and Stephen (in the bright blue shirt).

I still can't believe how little and precious all of them look!

This picture is from a night out ALONE for mommy and daddy. We ate at FishTales restaurant and enjoyed strolling down the Strand shopping district holding hands.....


We especially thought the scarlet ibis was a beautiful bird, but after this trip, David wasn't so sure he wanted to see one ever again.

David was about 2 years old on this particular trip and enjoyed his stroller ride through the rain forest. We paused under the branch of a large tree and looked down at the fish. Only we didn't pay attention to what was perched on the branch of the tree and the proximity it was to David.

The infamous ibis

All of a sudden, we heard David say in a horribly offended tone:"Ewwwwwww.......uckkkkkkkk" over and over again and running his hands through his thick blond hair.

Well, it was mostly blond.

Poor David! This was a splattery mess a bird could write home about. I had to take him into the restroom for a complete hairwash with hand soap. It really shocked David, because he remembers it to this day. When we talk about Moody Gardens, he'll say, "Yeah, where that bird pooped all over my head!"

Galveston Island ferry ride

While we lived in Texas, we took lots of day trips instead of big vacations. Mondays were Jeff's day off, so we'd usually spend the day in Houston at the zoo or museum or we'd go to Galveston Island. We always enjoyed the trip: it was time away with just us. We loved Galveston, and the boys really had a thrill at Moody Gardens every time we went. We enjoyed the trolley rides through town, also.

Taking another trolley ride!


Trivia alert: this was also the home of the infamous Pirate Jean LaFitte!

We almost always took the car ferry from Port Bolivar over to the Island. It was a long enough ride that people got out of their cars (you couldn't leave the engines running) and mostly it would just be too hot to do that, anyway.

At one crossing, we counted 40 dolphins cresting all around and following the ferry! That was incredible! I'd never seen anything like that before, and it was so great to see wild, free creatures enjoying life. Unforgettable!

Our joke is that it never fails that we do something wrong on our trips, and this time was no exception.

We always brought some bread with us to feed the seagulls while we were riding the ferry. The gulls were so used to handouts, that all you'd have to do is hold a piece of bread in your fingers up in the air, and they would swoop down and snatch it from your hand. I've had some nicked fingers, myself, but the experience is so fun, you just have to do it anyway.

We went to the top deck at the front of the boat overlooking all the cars and catching a great breeze and decided to pull out our bread and feed the gulls. What the ferry operators want you to do is feed the birds at the back of the boat. We weren't paying attention, and just started having fun holding our bread out at the front of the boat, oblivious to the fact that the sea gulls were flying, circling, gliding and hovering over top of all the cars at the front of the ferry. Ooooops! It had to be a bird's dream-come-true: free bread and a whole boatload of cars to mark!

Soon, we heard the crackle of the speaker: "Attention! Please, feed the birds at the back of the boat!" We were so embarrassed! We realized immediately that there was going to be a lot of people having to use plenty of windshield washer fluid before driving off the ferry. We couldn't stuff our bread away quickly enough and laugh our way to the back of the boat!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

New Braunfels Caverns


Our second stop on our New Braunfels vacation was at the caverns. We were all looking forward to this. The weather was hot, and the thought of a nice, cool cave sounded so nice. Jeff had geared the boys up with how exciting it was going to be to go waaaaayyy down into the ground that had big rooms in it.

We began our decent, and as you can see, Jonathan was VERY anxious to get going.
As I said, the weather was hot, so we had been drinking much more fluids than we usually drink.
Our group headed down into the caverns with our guide. We made a lot of stops as the guide explained different things we were seeing. When we got as far down into the cave as the tour permitted, both boys announced that they needed the bathroom. Only there are no bathrooms in the cave, and we didn't have those 20 oz. pop bottles like we did in the drive-thru safari! We were just going to have to finish the tour and take as long going back up as it took us to get down.
Every stop the guide made from this point on was just miserable. We couldn't get to the top soon enough. The boys were writhing and complaining. It was useless.
FINALLY, the tour was over and the guide told us the exit was just ahead. The boys bolted for the exit. Only there was a locked gate across the exit which the guide had to open for us to leave. They "stood" impatiently waiting for the guide to get there. I said, "Hey, guys, turn around and wave to mommy!"
This is the picture I got.
I laugh every time I see it;it's priceless!

Cartoon Dedication

I'm posting this Close to Home cartoon in dedication to my husband, Jeff, and the drive-thru safari. Just replace the bears with kudus and a zebra!

Monday, January 09, 2006

New Braunfel's Drive-Thru Safari

I was going through some pictures tonight--that still need to be scrapbooked--and I got a good laugh out of these memories.
In 2000, while we still lived in Texas, we took our vacation out to the New Bruanfels area. We visited a drive-thru safari which was a lot of fun and a little scary at times!
There were signs all over the place to stay in your car. Don't have to tell me twice. Roaming wild animals?? I'm staying in the car!! We bought a bag of wildlife food pellets (whatever that is), and hit the wildlife road.
We were supposed to toss pellets out of the car, and maybe an animal would come close and we could take their picture.
Only we were approached by the animals. Apparently, these guys knew a handout when they saw it coming! They came right up to our car window. It was pretty interesting, but then they got a little greedy.

Up walks this huge Greater Kudu (an African animal with tall, slightly spiraled horns).

"Hey, dude, can you help a kudu out? Can you spare some of them there wildlife pellets?"


Jeff slipped him a pellet (he was inistent), but then the urge to touch the animal just was too much to pass up. Jeff reached out and touched the kudu's neck. Wrong move! Mr. Tough-Guy Kudu knocked his horns on the top of our Saturn. But he just stood there waiting for another pellet, and Jeff couldn't resist AGAIN...and WHAM! This happened 3 times. You know, if you keep doing the same thing, you should just expect the same results! After the safari, we had 2 big dents in the roof of our car.

"Just keep driving, just keep driving..."



We drove a little further and met a VERY friendly zebra. He walked over to Jeff's window and reached his muzzle in for a pellet. He pulled his lips back and bared his teeth as he took it into his mouth. He decided he'd have another one. He put both of his knees on the windowsill and looked inside. Jeff and the zebra realized the same thing at the same time: the pellet bag was in Jeff's lap! Zebra guy pulled his lips back showing his very LARGE zebra teeth and began to lunge into the window and Jeff's lap.

"My, what big TEETH you have!"

You've never seen a scuffle like this one! Jeff was frantically trying to keep horse teeth from doing lap damage. YIKES! He was shoving his muzzle and trying to push him back out the window just as frantically as the zebra was going for the pellet bag. Jeff took out a handful of pellets and threw them down outside which distracted the zebra and let us continue our drive.
The boys had been drinking copious amounts of drinks during the ride, and now it was time for a pit-stop. Only there are no pit-stops available and you can't get out of your vehicle. We realized we would soon have a disaster on our hands if we didn't do something NOW. Thankfully, we still had some 20 oz. pop bottles in the car......:) I laughed and told Jeff, "Great! Now every wild animal in here is going to run to our car and try to mark it!"


I had an inquisitive ostrich come over to my side of the car for a pellet. I knew they were big, but when they're in your face, they're HUGE! Now, an ostrich moves its head just like a chicken does: with quick, irratic jerks and darts. That's really uncomfortable when he's sticking his beak in your window. He leaned in and stared at me--and my shaking pellet. "He'll hurt me! He's going to peck me!" Jeff just laughed. "Throw him the pellet." By this time, I'm not fully in my seat anymore; I'm leaning so far over to Jeff's side of the car, I'm practically in his lap. POW! The ostrich zoomed in like lightning, snatched the pellet...yes, I screamed...and slowly sauntered away. It took a little while for my heart rate to go back down.


You know, our family may not have a lot of things, but boy, do we have great memories. I don't know how long we'll be alive to enjoy the memories........

Future All-Stars

If there's one thing my boys love, it's basketball. Maybe it's because they have some "Indiana" in their blood? I grew up in Indiana, and their great-grandpa, Dallas Ludlow, was a basketball coach for the Orestes, IN "Cyclones".

David started playing at age 4 for the "Hawks". His coach is a good friend of our family, Steve Cutshall. There's nothing more incredibly funny than watching 4 yr. olds try to play a basketball game! It's bodies everywhere and wild shot attempts that make parents wipe laughing tears out of their eyes.

When David made his first basket ever in a game, he stood there and cried with a big smile on his face. When we asked him later why he cried, he said, "I was so happy!" What fun!

Jonathan was 6 when he started playing for the "Jazz" team. He was the youngest/smallest on his team. He tried a wild pass attempt to a taller girl further down the court. He threw with all his might, tripped over his feet.....and accidentally made the basket! Loud cheers came up from the crowd and Jonathan just stood there with a happy "Wow!" expression on his face.

Jonathan went on to play basketball with his school, Baptist Park Christian, in 2nd and 3rd grades. They played against other public schools in the area. It was fun, but not as much opportunity to play since there were so many boys to have to rotate in and out of the game. The senior pastor, Tom Downs, was the coach at that time. He was so great with the kids!

Basketball has been a great experience for our family. We can all be involved--even Jenna goes to the games and claps for her Bubbies! They learn respect for coaches, teamwork, healthy exercise...and the thrill of something bigger than themselves.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

The Newest Royalty: Princess Jennarella



Jenna loves to play dress-up like a princess! She got this Sleeping Beauty dress and DVD for Christmas. Aunt Andrea and Uncle Mark, Uncle Roger and Aunt Tammy gave her all the "baubles, bangles, and bright shiny beads" to go with it. She LOVES the crown!

From the look on her face, I think she believes she IS the princess!

Friday, January 06, 2006

Why My Middle Name Isn't "Grace"

All this basketball around our house reminds me of a time long ago.....
Looks off into distance as light dims....
Where I grew up, our school had intramural sports for the girls. We were all required to do it. Some girls were just better at it than others. Okay, ALL the REST of the girls were better at it than I was.
We had volleyball, basketball and track.
Tonight is about basketball. The other two are also painful, but I can only handle one bad memory a night.
Calendar pages flip back to 1980's.....
Now, you've got to understand that there wasn't much in the TV department going on for me. It was kind of frowned on to be watching it, let alone owning one. This really cut back on my understanding of HOW to play basketball. I never really watched the game much. I knew it was invented by Dr. James Naismith involving peach baskets. I knew you wanted to get the ball through the hoop.....and you'd better be careful because after halftime, you SWITCH BASKETS.
That's about the extent of my basketball knowledge. Plays? Calls? What??
I'd already nearly reached my adult heighth at this point in my life, so my job was to stand under the basket to catch rebounds. This usually resulted in calls like "Rattay all over the body!" Aren't we supposed to try to get the ball away from the other players?
"Rattay reaching in!" I was just knocking the ball away from the other player!
My nerves were shot BEFORE the game even started. What stupid thing will I manage to pull off tonight?
I must say that I always tried my best. But sometimes "best" is what I do on the bench.
Mr. Yockey, my coach, could tell I tried but was seriously lacking in the athletic department. Hence, the standing under the basket to catch a rebound.
But it got confusing because sometimes it was NOT okay to stand under the basket. Mr. Yockey would yell down the court, "Bonnie, move around! Move around!" I would....always with my hands up in the air. That's another thing people were always yelling at players to do. "Get your hands up!"
Another one of my "positions"? Throwing the ball in from the side. And ALWAYS throw it to Cindy (Brindisi-Simpson). If I ever got the ball, I was to throw it to Cindy.
A few times, somebody accidentally passed me a ball and I CAUGHT it! I was half-panicked, not quite understanding the whole double-dribble concept. "CINDY!!" I would yell. She always got open, and I could pass to her. Shooooo...
My dribbling was unique, to say the least. To this day, I can't dribble without holding out my left hand as if protecting myself from a side attack of some sort. My wrist is held down and pinky up. Yeah, I know....I'm a sissy girlie-girl.
Picture that dribble and a panick-stricken look as somebody passes me the ball to make a fast break to the other side of the court.
There I was, all out in the open, no one around me, running and "dribbling" like there's no tomorrow.
I was thinking, "Oh, no, if I miss this lay-up EVERYBODY'S going to laugh". I was wrong, though.
As these thoughts were racing through my head, I tripped over MY OWN FEET. I caught myself and kept going. I TRIPPED AGAIN, recovered slightly, TRIPPED MORE, and careened wildly across the floor taking a swan dive before the final face plant.
"Oh, THIS is what they're laughing at". I was right this time.
Mr. McNeilly, the referree, blew his whistle so he could regain his composure. I've never been so embarrassed in my life. Wait a minute, yes I have....there's volleyball and track, too.
And THAT is just one of the many reasons my middle name is not "Grace".

Basketball/Skills and Thrills

Basketball season is here again for the boys. This is their third year to play in a Christian basketball league for boys and girls called "Upward".
It's a very well done program for children. You can check out the details at www.upward.org

A church near to us is the one who has sponsored Upward for the past three years. I was so thrilled to have found it!

David had his first practice tonight and got his (reversible!) jersey. The boys weren't thrilled about this year's uniform being the Laker's colors, though. They HATE the Lakers.
Jonathan informed me that if his jersey number was "8"; he was trading! He can't stand Kobe Bryant. He also said he was going to ask to be traded if his team name was "Lakers". I'm getting the drift that he doesn't care for the Lakers much. :)
Fortunately, the basketball gods were smiling at Jonathan because he's on the Heat team this year (but mommy can't stand Shaq....oh, well). AND he's number 55. Shoooooowheeeeee.
David was nearly raptured to heaven when he heard he was on the Texas Longhorns team. He's number 35.
They are both really good players. David plays well as a power forward, and Jonathan does well as point guard.
Both the boys put their uniforms on right away--including their new basketball shoes and sweat bands--and were air-shooting around the house.
It's fun to see them so excited.

Then they held "Skills and Thrills" night for me, Jeff and Jenna.
What? You've never heard of "Skills and Thrills" night?

The boys set up an obstacle course in the living room (suitcases, wagon, cushions, etc.) Then they stood at the top of the staircase. My job was to turn off the living room lights and give an announcer-type intro for each of them. When they got to the bottom of the stairs, I would flip the lights on while Mom and Dad and Jenna cheered and clapped.
Daddy had a judge's table set up in a corner and they each got three attempts at some incredible obstacle-jumping feat. He would yell out, "OHHHH....That's a 9.5!!" Think dunk contest.
They even named their stunts.
As Jonathan jumped over the wagon LONGWAYS, he kicked his feet clear back to his rear. It was called the Double Butt-Kicker.
David wouldn't be outdone.
As he jumped over the wagon, SIDEWAYS, he kicked his feet clear back AND smacked his rear with both hands. It was called the QUADRUPLE Butt-Kicker.
It was a close competition, but they both tied. Imagine that! Thank you, Daddy!
What do tonight's winners get?
Burritos!!!!!
Jenna was anxious for her turn to be impressive. She jumped off of Daddy's lap saying, "Hey, wooky me! Wooky me!" as she ran circles around the suitcase. We all cheered!
She got a burrito, too. :)

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Just TRY to Take it Away

I was in the laundry room doing the usual 13 loads of laundry a day. I was robotically pouring in my laundry soap, staring at the water filling up, putting wet stuff in the dryer and folding the dry stuff.
Then from out in the living room there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my laundry to see what was the matter...Oh, sorry, wrong poem...
But there was quite a clatter.
David is 8 years old (9 in February!) and David is a solidly built boy. He is not overweight; he's just solid. Jenna is 2 (just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago).
Physics alone would tell you who's gonna win this one!
I didn't know what I was going to find when I heard David screaming, "NO! Jenna, STOP! NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! NO! NO! NO! PUT IT DOWN!!! GIVE THAT TO BUBBY!! MOOOOOMMMM!!"
Each of these phrases were flourished with interjections from Jenna: "NOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO! MEEEEEEE! NOOOOOO!"
Oh, my goodness! What's wrong? Whaaa......? The scene I ran in on wasn't pretty. David was trying to wrench something out of Jenna's hand. Jenna was hanging on for dear life with both hands and pulling her body down to the floor to keep her precious possession. Now she's on her back....screaming.....legs flailing..."Nooooooo"...crying.
David is wrestling her down to the floor (trying not to squish her) "Give it to bubby RIGHT NOW!" "Give it! Give it!" "You can't have it!"
(Enter Supermom)
"Stop right now! What's going on here?!"
The screaming and flailing stops, but not the struggle. David looks at me with a horrified, desperate look on his face. Jenna looks up at me with brown stuff smeared across her face and dripping in her teeth.
"Mom!! She's got poop in her hand and she's EATING it!!"
All time stood still as I moved, in what seemed like slow motion, over to Jenna.
It was a chocolate-dipped sucker.
"Ooooohhhhh...."
Jenna points at David and says "No, DaDa, No, No, No!"
Ain't nobody gettin' this girl's chocolate sucker--even if it does look like poo-poo on a stick.
I'm so proud of myself. I'm doing a great job with this little girl.
smiles smuggly to self
That's right, Jenna. Ain't nobody gettin' your chocolate--just like nobody's gettin' mommy's.
Which reminds me, I've got a chocolate Lindt truffle hidden in my purse......
PS: David, good job, son! Next time you might be right!

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Forwarding a Forward

A special thanks to Michele Payton for "forwarding" this to me. I had to share it here; it's perfect!

END OF THE YEAR THANK YOU!!! (FUNNY) AND SADLY TRUE.

I just wanted to thank you all for taking the time and trouble to send me"forwards" over the past 12 months. Having to open 12 "forwards" to get tothe joke or cartoon is a great exercise in self-discipline for me.
Extra thanks to whomever sent me the one about rat crap in the glue on envelopes,because I now have to go get a wet towel every time I need to seal anenvelope.
Also, I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.
Because of your concern, I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.
I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper, since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans.
I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.
I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.
I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants, even though I smell like a waterbuffalo on a hot day.
I no longer go to shopping malls because someone might drug me with a cologne sample and rob me.
I no longer receive packages from, nor send packages by, UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al-Qaeda in disguise.
I no longer answer the phone, because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore and Uzbekistan.
I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible Mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.
I no longer have any sneakers -- but that will change once I receive my free replacement pair from Nike.
I no longer have to buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.
I no longer worry about my soul because at last count I have 363,214 angels looking out for me.
Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
I no longer have any money because I gave it to a sick girl who is about to die in the hospital (for the 258th time), but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special email program.
Yes, I want to thank you so much for looking out for me that I will now return the favor!
If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 7minutes, a large pigeon with a wicked case of diarrhea will land on your head at 6:00 p.m. Michigan time this evening. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next-door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician.

Hey, it could happen.....Forward this now

Monday, January 02, 2006

Family Visits World's Greatest Aunt, Uncle and Cousins!


All of "The Incredible Shrinking Vehicle" was worth it when we got to see Aunt Nelda, Uncle Alan, Abby and Marty--and Lucy and Bear, the dogs and Chlorine, the cat.

Here's Abby with Jenna!


It's been 3 years!!

They came and met us at Spring Mill Inn and we had a great visit down in the rec room. Jenna kept us hopping by running off several times. GRRRRR! Abby kept Jenna busy with "Appy Dooce" (apple juice). Jenna loved everybody and was completely herself with Aunt Nelda. The boys have grown incredibly in 3 years and were so excited to see everyone. We caught up and had some good laughs and made plans to meet again the next day.

We slept in and Jeff started to feel a little better. Our room grew by several feet. :) The boys made a new friend, Cole (10), who also had his Nintendo DS and they just hit it off right away. David came and happily told me that Cole was a Christian, too! I asked him how he knew that and he said "Cuz I asked him!" Little evangelists in our midst. They've led 3 other children to Jesus during previous camping trips and always ask the other children they make friends with about it. All without our prompting. I think that's what makes it extra special because it's all their own idea.

We went over to Aunt Nelda and Uncle Alan's house and the kids stayed and played with Abby and the dogs while the adults went to Casa Brava for supper. It was a great meal and just a great time. I was impressed with these waiters wearing hot pad mitts that went to their shoulders, with about 9 plates of food clear up their arms. Whoa! I should NEVER try that. People will be hurt!
One unfortunate waiter lost his load of drinks as he rounded a corner that was slick with food tossed there by a little girl (not mine this time!!). Poor guy. He was so embarrassed. We all felt badly for him. Especially when the guy at the table which took the brunt of the flying drinks got upset.

We went back to their house and had more laughs--and got to see Marty, too! Marty is a legend to the boys because when he graduated from high school, he took the boys for a ride in his red Mustang convertible. They'll never forget that! Marty gets the official "cool" status.

All too soon it was time for good-byes. This was the shortest 3 days I can remember in a long time. I ran out of time to visit Papa and Grandma Lois' graves. We want to plan a summer visit this coming year. Southern Indiana is one of the most relaxed and beautiful places I've ever been. And let me tell ya, I've been places!

We'll be back to visit, stay at Spring Mill....and plant letterboxes. If you don't know what a letterbox is, check out: www.letterboxing.org It makes for some great adventures.

The Incredible Shrinking Vehicle

It was a cold, drizzly day. Yeah, you know where this post is going! :)

Grandma Forester was wonderful to keep my 3 kiddos while Jeff and I went to a rehearsal at Heritage Church. One thing led to another, and it was 2 AM before we arrived back at grandma's to pick up the kids.
We were so fried from driving and the kids were asleep, so we just crashed there, too.
We rolled out of bed pretty early considering what time we passed out and woke the kids up---we're going to visit Aunt Nelda, Uncle Alan, Abby and Marty!!

Woohoo! Oh, the excitement! Oh, the questions: What time are we leaving? Are we leaving right now? Can I pack my Nintendo DS? But I didn't pack Big Babe (stuffed dog)! Does our hotel have a pool? Can we swim in it? A lot? When will we get there? Will it be dark? Are we going to see them today?

Jenna just looked at us and soaked in all the excitement. "Wahooooo!" she exclaimed with gusto, throwing her hands up in the air for extra punctuation.

That's about where all the "Wahoooing" stopped for mommy and daddy.

Our late/early night before had thwarted our plans to pack everything up and leave at a decent hour. By the time we had driven home and packed just about everything we owned, it was after 2 p.m. before we hit the open road.

We sailed along pretty well---for about 2 hours--and then Jeff got sick. He was so nauseous he couldn't keep his eyes open, his body hurt, and any bump in the road made him clutch his plastic "just in case" bag a little tighter.

When you get sick like that, your vehicle feels like it just shrunk a bit. He insisted we should go on ahead and I would drive.

So now Jeff is sick....and Jenna is LOUD. God has gifted this little girl with lungs that WORK! We should change her middle name from Hope to Gusto. She's happy LOUD, she's mad LOUD, she talks LOUD, ....she's just LOUD! We try to shush her down with "Use your princess voice". She just smiles at us like a little princess.

When you get sick like that and you have loud children 2 feet behind your head, your vehicle seems to shrink a little more.

Jenna dozed a while....thank you, Lord!....and then the boys began grumbling with each other. Somebody forgot to bring their charger cord for their DS. There were several, "Too bad, you should have brought your own" comments and then "You're just mean" retorts tossed around.

When you get sick like that, you have loud children 2 feet behind your head, and the grumbling starts....your vehicle loses 9 cubic feet of space.

Jeff was groaning and clutching his bag, the kids are groaning and trying to clutch each other.....Mommy NEEDS a Starbuck stop. Actually, mommy needed 3 Starbuck stops.

When you get sick like that, you have loud children 1.5 feet behind your head, the grumbling starts, mommy makes 3 Starbuck stops, and everybody has to go potty.....your vehicle loses any aerodynamics it may have possessed and becomes an even smaller-sized box.

We finally arrived at Spring Mill Inn--it's an Indiana State Park lodge in Mitchell, IN--about an hour or so south of Bloomington. Definitely recommended! We've camped here before, but this was our first time to stay in the lodge.

We pulled in about 10:00 p.m. in our matchbox GMC Jimmy. Jeff dragged and shuffled his way inside and we checked in. One of the boys said the "S" word. Yes, you guessed it. He said, "Can we go Swimming now?" There's only a couple things Jenna loves more than Cinderella and swimming is one of them. In her mind, nothing beats a good Noo-Noo. (noo-noo is anything wet--including drinks).

You can now smile and envision us barely standing at the front desk with baggage hanging off of our baggage...and LOUD Jenna very excitedly jumping up and down "Yea! NOOO-NOOOO! ME!" "ME? Noo-Noo??" Amazingly enough, they gave us a room at the very end of the hall.

Daddy crashed in bed, and we proceeded on to Noo-Noo land for an hour. Then it was sleep.....oh, blessedly sweet sleep. But somehow...

When you get sick like that, you have loud, excited children hanging off your body, you've unfolded your body from a matchbox-sized vehicle and feel sleep-deprived......your room shrinks into a closet with a bathroom.