sisterhood – Page 3 – Today's Legacy

So it’s time to start sharing about California. Buckle up this is gonna be a long ride.

No, in order to remain sane I’ll just start to throw in come CA posts here and there amongst my other ramblings.

So day 1 we traveled. We hauled 3 kids and 2 adults (we met my parents at the airport) out of their beds between 3:30 and 4am and loaded into the van. Rodger, Matt’s Daddy, was so gracious to stay over the night before and drop us off at the airport. You may be wondering why we didn’t take the boys – no it’s nothing personal people. We had just planned this trip before ever getting the placement and there is something MUCH different about traveling with 5 children (two of which are babies) and trying to find accommodations for 7 people and a vehicle that’ll fit us on the other side. Since things would be further complicated with vacation clearance if Mom would even want her boys traveling cross-country and other stuff we nestled the boys in at Grandma’s house and called frequently. We knew she’d smother them with spoiling and love and they’d have many wonderful opportunities to have adventures with her throughout the week.

So our plane took off at 6am ON THE DOT. And we attempted to settle three little ones in for nap #1. Hannah was out like a light at take-off with a little nursing goodness. Abi was next in line with Daddy’s hair petting and Rachael decided to stay awake the whole time and talk my Mom’s ear off. Since my Dad added in at last minute (not knowing where exactly he’d be flying from until his trucking orders were given) we hugged and promised to see him on the other side in CA. Mom graciously joined our clan to provide support staff. 😉

The girls got a chance to have more “firsts” than just the flying and found themselves enjoying the airport monorail much more than the actual flying itself. Something about the excitement of a train mixed with having your feet decently grounded brought a smile to all of our faces as the girls enjoyed the window seats.

I am ridiculously proud of how well the girls did on both flights getting to CA. There were many opportunities for meltdowns, but they really did a great job. Since I had adjusted everyone onto almost CA time a week prior to our departure, the effects of an early morning and airplane excitement were the only two challenges that day. Sadly we learned that my dear Rachael felt the effects of air-sickness not on the last landing (in which she started turning a bit green) but in the rental van right before we were about to cross the golden gate bridge. So with a little pull-off on the side of the road, change of clothing, and the use of the last of my baby wipes we gimped along to the hotel, stopping occasionally to coach the poor child through it all. All I can say is, when my kids are physically ill, they are MIGHTY troopers. Though “I need a bag” was a phrase that took a week for Abi to stop repeating in the van after our CA vacation.

So we hit a Subway for dinner (lunch in CA time) and headed back to the hotel (sitting in traffic for what felt like years while the poor Rachael still experienced her motion sickness.

Once finally to the hotel, we put the girls to bed (who went willingly) at 6p CA time. Rachael’s color had returned to her face and her normal spunk post-shower spoke of motion sickness ending with her two feet on solid ground. We were happy to see her keep dinner down before bed and the two girls knocked out without a complaint. Hannah and I knocked out somewhere in the land of “lay down and be quiet so the girls will go to sleep”. I awoke to Daddy watching ESPN and my Mom and Dad bringing us a pizza for dinner. The girls didn’t even stir.

Thus ended our Friday day of travel. And joy CERTAINLY came in the morning with a solid 13 hours of sleep for all.

… to be continued …

Rachael,

It’s hard to believe you have gotten so big right before my very eyes. By this time today we will have celebrated you with our little family last night at Chuck-E-Cheese. Yes, we’re that kind of crazy this year, but we know how much you have talked about it in the past and wanted to go spoil you with sensory overload for a while. hehe. And you will have opened your present from us. [Thank you for that tackle-hug with your thank you… I could feel God’s hug in your warm arms of true gratitude.) You will also have slept your first nap and night-time in your “new” bunked bed.

Congratulations on being SO BIG to get to sleep way up on top in your “tree fort”. Tonight we’ll add your princess poster from your birthday party up there to make the little space more of yours. And may I never forget your heartfelt “… thank you,” that poured from your lips as you stood back and admired your new space of independence. It caught me unexpected and melted my heart, little girl.

Maybe it’s in bunking the beds and you getting to pick out your large-family birthday party theme this year, or maybe it’s in your having your first (surprise) slumber party with your sweet little friend, Josie, tonight, but baby girl… you are getting SO BIG!

I love that little wild smile that takes over your eyes,

your uncoordinated dance moves to every movie’s ending credits, your “watch me” glance when you want to be caught being amazing, your “just like us” moments you share with me when pointing out others’ brown eyes, how you get lost in trying to make our little Hannah smile and making those “just you two moments”,

how you sing at the top of your lungs in the backseat of the van – oblivious to the key and our ability to hear you, how you get lost in bookworm bliss – begging for one more story of snuggling and imagination, how you have a certain little out of control laugh that only you and Abi share together.