What I learned on My Summer Vacation

Whew! It is hard to believe that this time last week my mom, the kids and I were driving through Washington DC trying to catch a glimpse of the White House. Post 9-11, you cannot get near the place in a car and the kids are a little too young for the complete walking tour. But we caught the most popular view from Constitution Avenue and Annie was satisfied. We also say the Capitol and the Washington Monumnet. I'm so lucky that I grew up there and got to see all of those things and all of the great museums as a kid.

We had a wonderful trip. We visited with old friends in Bethesda, MD and then with family in Fredricksburg and Williamsburg, VA. All in all it was a good time and fun was had by all. I thought I would share with you some lessons I learned on the journey.

1. The south is HOT...sweltering...sticky...inhumane...and I am a wussy northener. I couldn't believe how hot it was. When it is 103 with 95% humidity...I'm calling it a day. Give me some AC or a cool pool and it's all good but other than that I'm melting and so are my kids. No sir, I was not created for that kind of heat.

2. The beginnings of our country were both heroic and tragic. We had a chance to visit both Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement and we all loved it. It was so wonderful for the kids and me to see so much about how people lived back in those days...it was a simpler time without many of the things that distract us today (you know blogs and whatnot). The Jamestown settlers came over to this country as a business venture...not seeking freedom of any sort. They made a heroic journey under troubling conditions and really helped to form the basis for our government and rule of law. Unfortunately, in the process they also disenfranchised the native Americans and introduced slavery...two of the most tragic outcomes possible from their arrival.

3. Parenting styles are as unique as the individual. I spent time with several different mamas on my trip and each of them are wonderful and very different. Some are high strung, some are laid back...some are controllers, some are go with the flow types...some are into a lot of structure and some aren't. It's hard when your kids are used to one style of life...and you throw them into another one. And I think it is harder if, like my kids, they are used to a more free and laid back lifestyle and they enter into a more structured one. My kids did alright, I think...and I know it is crucial for them to be exposed to all different kinds of life.

4. There is a security in family that is unmatched. We visited with my cousin Norman and his awesome wife Carolyn. Carolyn and I were pregnant together (I with my first and she with her last) and we have been close ever since. Norman is in the military and they have lived all over the world...but now they are back in the states and we have gotten to see them for extended periods the last 2 summers. It felt like an extended version of home being with them...it was easy to talk and just hang out and be myself. Though she and I are very different - I wasn't worried about the differences becasue I love her and I knew that I would be welcomed and accepted.

5. Single parents are amazing. Now technically I wasn't really single parenting becasue there were always others around to lend a hand. But all of the care for the three kiddos was on me and it was tiring and draining emotionally. I cannot imagine living that life full time and not having anyone around to help out.

6. My kids are awesome. They behaved so well (for the most part) and got along well with all of the other kids they encountered. The girls were really interested in Jamestown and loved the tour my aunt gave them (she works there) - even though it was a million degrees...did I mention the heat? :) I had so much fun being with them and we laughed a lot!

7. I missed my man like MAD! Alex goes away for a few weeks each year but usually for shorter durations. This was the longest I have been away from him in 6 years and I really missed him. Because of time differences and his schedule we really didn't get to talk for any good length of time. We touched base several times a day but never had a conversation that amounted to more than the basics. I am aching for him to be home (he should be here in about an hour!!!) and in my arms again.

8. God is good. I had a lot of anxiety about this trip. I wanted everyone to be safe and happy. I thrive on my routine and I knew that would be interrupted completely on this trip. But God is faithful and unchanging and He walked with me each step of the way.

It's always so good to come home and be able to look back on a time away with a smile and good memories. I'm grateful for what an amazing opportunity this trip was...and I'm glad to be home again.

Off We Go!!!

I wanted to come and post today because tomorrow the we are leaving for 2 very different adventures.

Alex is taking a large group of junior and senior high students from our church to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi to work for a week on homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. They are teaming up with another church from Pittsburgh and will spend next Monday through Friday working hard and sharing God's love with some neighbors who have had a hard time in the last couple of years.

My mom and I are taking the kids to Virginia to visit family. We will spend one night in Washington, DC visiting with some old friends and then we will head to Virginia where we will see my aunt and cousins. I'll also get to see my dear friend, Angela, and her new baby!!! It will be nice to get away and see some family and hopefully relax. I just checked the weather and the temperatures in Virgina next week are expected to be in the upper 90's. YIKES! It hasn't gotten that hot up here yet this summer...good thing we'll have access to a pool!

So, if you are the praying kind, please pray for both journeys. My hope is that all of us will see God in important ways this next week and that we will come back together with much to share about God's goodness. See you soon!