We are almost done with Vacation Day #5. I refuse to start the countdown to when we head home. It's been fun and we have stuff planned for the next few days which should result in even more fun.
So far, we've:
- driven many miles - about 12 hours - with an overnight stop in Kalamazoo.
- played countless games of Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride - the guys are currently working on playing Puerto Rico while I type.
- walked miles around the house bouncing Elena (adorable 3 1/2 month old niece).
- celebrated Marshall's 3rd birthday (adorable nephew).
- had a great dinner and watched several communites' displays of fireworks from our hill west of the expressway with some of our favorite Michigan friends.
- shopped and picked up several cute pieces of clothing (me with my sil and her other sil, not the boys) at the new outdoor mall in my in-laws town.
- made a quick run to a neighboring town to see if my mother-in-law was right that there really is a White Castle - she's right, and her sons thank her for that!
- Visited more with awesome friends and hung out with the fam.
Coming attractions over the next few days include:
- visiting a local toy store where our friend works followed by fun at the local waterpark.
- meeting up with two, possibly three, virtual friends from Hannah's Prayer - an IF website/forum that I frequent.
- celebrating my 34th birthday with friends and family on Tuesday.
- a quick trip to Frankenmuth, and in particular, this store followed by dinner and an evening with friends.
- and yet more visiting with friends
- and all this before heading for home late Saturday afternoon.
Hmm, so much more to say and share but it's late (not adjusting to the hour time difference at all!) and I have to be on my toes tomorrow trailing a 3-year old.
But a final observation. We've been helping take care of our niece and nephew, and even kept them for a day and night so their parents could take care of some stuff. Chris mainly played with Marshall and I've been taking care of Elena. It has been very bittersweet. Last night as I gave Elena a bath in the kitchen sink, my mother-in-law commented that I'm a natural. I almost cried - it was the highest of praise from her and showed me that she sees how much I love these children. A bit later on, Chris and I took a walk thru the subdivision, Chris carrying Elena. We ran into several of my in-law's neighbors, all very friendly and admiring of our sweet little niece. After the 3rd or 4th comment, about the same time, Chris and I both started saying how we felt like frauds - parading around with this baby that isn't even ours. My darling husband then looped an arm around me and hoisted our niece higher on his shoulder and assured me that we would have a baby of our own, he was sure of it. I'm going to trust him on this one, a submission to his will, if you please. This amazing man has yet to lead me astray.
After looking back over the past few months of blogging that there are several subjects I need to go back and address as I'd like them recorded for posterity's sake. So expect some randome subject posts in the next few weeks. In the meantime, praying you are all having great summers!
