My Amazing Trip

So my trip with my dad is over now. I'm glad this was the first thing off my 30 before 30 list, makes it almost feel more special.


I got home yesterday at around dinner time and I have to say, I had such an amazing trip! Both girls were great on the flights, both out there and back home. We missed our first flight and ended up having to catch a later plane. Normally this would have been frustrating to me, but it was nice to be able to relax at the airport, grab some drinks and eat breakfast before getting on the plane a few hours later. I was nervous that they were going to freak out on the ride but they ended up having a blast. We watched TV, read books, colored and played with new toys.



Helene was happy that she got to eat all sorts of candy while on the airplane, we don't do much candy in the house.

North Carolina was fun, got to spend a lot of time with my step mom, Kelly. She's hilarious and so much fun to talk to. Every morning we'd sit and talk for hours, drinking coffee until the kids got up. We got so much closer over those awesome talks. We turned the hot tub down as low as possible and let the kids get in and splash around for a bit. I didn't want them in too long though, because they are still little and their bodies can't take the heat. They thought it was and awesome treat to get to play and splash around. Emma only got her feet and hands in, as I was too worried about the heat, but she thought it was cool to splash about in the water.

It rained basically the whole time we were in NC, so we didn't get out to see much of anything. Kelly and I did get some shopping time in though. Helene got to run around in the back yard with the dogs while it rained, because it was still warm out. She thought that was amusing, though she kept trying to hide under a little tree that wasn't much bigger then her.

My cousin Melissa and her family came out on Saturday and we got to eat dinner (dad made pizza) and get to know each other better. The kids had fun playing, drawing and kicking the soccer ball around the back yard. They have three boys, the youngest is 7 months so even Emma had a playmate! After the left I packed our bags back up to get ready for our 7 hour road trip down to Atlanta.


Helene had fun on the road trip, she talked the WHOLE time, telling us stories and singing songs. Emma slept the whole trip, only waking up for food and diaper changes. We got in right before dinner. My aunt Cory made ham and homemade mac n' cheese! So, so good. After dinner we sat out on the porch and chatted while Helene played for a while. The next morning we got up and had breakfast and went out to the park. The park there was huge, with three different play structures and a light/music game thing. Helene got to climb and run and slide and play with her fantastic family members. I tried to take Emma down one of the bigger slides but she flipped out and screamed and I felt like the biggest jerk. So we went and sat down in the sade and watched while everyone played.


Saying goodbye was difficult, I don't know when we'll get to see them again and I miss them so very much already.

Next Wednesday - 13

     Next Wednesday I will be getting on a plane with the girls and flying out to North Carolina to visit my dad and his wife. This is number 13 on my list and I'm excited to have gotten it done so quickly. I haven't seen my dad since my wedding and then thing were a little hectic and I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked hanging out.

    They haven't met Em yet, so I'm glad they'll finally get to do that. I've been looking forward to this trip for as long as he's been living out there, but the timing never worked out. When he called about a month ago to make flight plans I was ecstatic. Not only do I get to go out and see them I also get to meet his side of my family. I have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that I know nothing about and I finally get to meet them, and so do my girls.

   I have to admit I'm a bit nervous about taking both kids alone on the plane, and how I'm possibly going to be able to carry everything, but it'll work out. I got a bunch of little toys from the dollar store for Helene, and along with my DS and books I think we should be okay. I'm making a grocery trip soon to buy the food things I'll be taking to keep the kids happy. Glad that we can at least bring a full lunch will us, if not anything to drink.

   I am so incredibly excited to be going on this trip, but a little sad that my husband wont be coming with me. This will be the longest we've spent apart since we became a couple. 

   Can't wait to share how awesome my trip was with you all! 

The creation of the list

    Some of these may not seem like "big" goals, but many of them are things I have wanted to do for a very long time. Like crocheting, I've always wanted to learn, but never had someone to teach me. Now that it is on my list, I am making progress in finding a teacher, even if it means signing up for a class. Other things are on my list for obvious practical reasons, like driving. As much as I'd like to think that I can go my entire life without driving, its becoming increasingly hard to do so. That kids are I are stuck staying local, I cannot work or run errands while my husband is working. That ends up putting stress on us because we have to get everything done on his days off, instead of getting to enjoy our time playing and relaxing like we should.
   
    Some of the things on the list are purely to get me to go out and experience more of life, like exploring a castle. Who doesn't want to explore a freaking castle? Its. A. Castle. Enough said. Taking my girls to Disney has been such an exciting thought since I was pregnant with Helene. I love Disney so very much and I cannot wait to watch my little ones faces light up with joy at all the park has too offer. I am so excited to explore the magic through my children's eyes.


   I look forward to feeding a giraffe, they are one of my favorite animals and to be able to get so close to them is a thrilling thought. Swimming with dolphins is going to rock pretty hard as well. You can't tell me that you've never looked at others swimming with dolphins and not "how cool is that?" I mean come on, they're awesome creatures, getting up close and personal just makes them all the more fantastic.


   There are things on the list that I have done before, like read the Bible through, but I'd like to do so again. And reading 10 books off the classics list? I've read many books off the list, but really, who need an excuse to read more?  I sure don't. They're classics for a reason and many are wonderful stories. I'm still debating which 10 should be included for this list.


Well, I look forward to sharing this journey with you, thanks for reading!