My Life As An Open Book
The week just before our big family trip was spent preparing for a journey of a lifetime. One morning as the kids and I had just sat down at the breakfast table, we immediately took as an opportunity to discuss what’s to come as we travel from one destination to another.
Once we prayed and before we could dive right in, to the feast before us, we spoke of the wild life that we might see along the way. This was very exciting to me as well, all the possibilities. With every ounce of adventurous blood in me, I was just as curious as my 7, 6, and 2 year old of stepping out of my comfort zone and out and about into a world with no limits.
The closer it came for us to leave, the easier the housework became. I felt as though this is what my family had needed to get back on track. It was something, definitely worth looking forward to.
My two girls became Martha Stewart and Paula Dean and my boy, well, with the exception of him. You see, he already thought he was a superhero. He thought himself to be Indiana Jones, and any other male figure that took action head on.
Upon the days leading up to leaving out, our checklist seemed to grow and grow. Do we “need” this or do you “want” to bring that was the start of every conversation. Cleaning became main priority. When the family would use up dishes, what didn’t fit in the dishwasher, was washed by hand rather than, waiting for a full load the next go round.
Snacking replaced our meals and suddenly we all started analyzing if we “really” wanted to wear a particular garment and risk leaving it behind, because it was something we wanted to save to take on the trip.
Back & forth from one store to the next, making double sure to get what we had on our lists. Constant visiting to leave the house cuts down on heavy traffic and little messes. During the ride I stay in thought, looking at what God has created. I can’t help, but wonder how much more is out there?.
It’s so hard to hold in all the excitement from doing something new and at the same time different all together. I find myself smiling at the small things that really don’t matter. Then, to do something drastic doesn’t even compare. It’s a freedom I’ve never felt. This is not something you could just do everyday.
Another day down and the search to find things to past the time, was now our goal. To top it off, we began watching documentaries to fill ourselves with knowledge of places unknown to us. Places that mark the x on our map. For us, we choose quite several.
The clothes packed and there is a visual check to take notice of. This goes for everything on our list of things to do, except one, and that is for us to be in seat and on course to a timeless, stress less, family vacation. Did I say, “ Stress less”? Ha! Well, a person can dream can’t they?
