Traveling and other life lessons

This summer I did a lot of road tripping. With my family, with crazy teenagers that I love, and with just my girls. I've learned alot this summer, some things about me and some just life lessons in general.

I reinforced the lesson that I don't like the heat and I'm pasty white.

I learned that my kids travel really well. We took a 10 hour road trip to visit close friends and they did absolutely awesome. I was dreading being closed in a moving metal box with my two crazies, all for naught. No crazy tantrums, only had to take bathroom brakes when we needed gas, and the were very happy with the snacks I packed. Side note ~did you know that most rest stops have free wi-fi? Thank you DOT's across the US for that nice surprise. On the way home it was only because Bennett and I were so tired that we put a movie on for them, but really, they would have been fine with out it! They also did great on the 5 hour trip with me to celebrate the coming of Abigale Jane ~ even when I distractedly missed my exit on the way home.

I learned that Nutella is amazing.

I learned that the friends I have are amazing and they contribute to who I am. From watching my girls last minute, leaving food in my freezer, bringing me coffee unexpectedly, to doing B90X with me, loving my family as your own ~ even claiming one of them as your own, and so much more. If you're reading this you know who you are and I thank you, with all that I am, for being what I need and then some.

I learned that running is not my thing. Kudos to those who do, but no thanks! One day I'll be motivated to try something else.

I learned that teenage struggles and burdens make me look at my toddlers "disasters" as easily manageable. I remember coming home from one trip and one of my daughters lamenting "She had all the blanket" she being her sister, I thought "This I can fix!". I went and retrieved a blanket and all was well. I can kiss away a boo-boo, sing away frustration, tell a story for boredom, or just sit and hold them to let them know they are loved. I simply cannot do this for the youth I spend time with. No matter how much I love on them, encourage them, check on them, I cannot fix it. I can't make their parents tell them they love them. I can't convince them that right now their time is better spent on friends than the opposite sex. I won't convince them that I understand their temptations. I won't give up though, kids whether they are 2 or 22, are to important to give up on.

I learned that my love language to others is food. How I didn't realize this before I don't know. So if I feed you, know you are loved!

I learned that I'm not realistic when it comes to time and my consumption of it. Either I plan too for much or not and mess up something in the end ~ like arriving for a birthday dinner 45min early! How I consume time is a lesson in progress. My husband has pointed out how much of my time I give away, time I should be spending with my family as there isn't a whole lot to begin with after work and sleeping. So I'm working on family first. I want my children to value time with us more than time "doing" activities.

I learned that my girls will do almost anything to convince me they have a "boo-boo" that requires a band aid.

I learned that my family is to me like spinach is to Popeye! They watched my girls for a whole week, even sharing their germs ~ sorry Chad ~, without hesitation and we didn't have to do a thing! They picked them up and brought them home. We were in shock, partly from the lack of the sounds of two scheming girls, but also at the kindness shown to us with no expectations in return. You don't get that in life very often.