In the Eye of the Storm

As I have written time and time again, this past year has been really difficult for many reasons. Our stress levels peaked at an all-time high last week. You only can take so much. So with much uncertainty around us and needing a reprieve, we set up childcare, hotels and started driving...(timing was miserable with spring flooding creeping nearer to our house each day and then leaving our youngest with the highest fever she has ever had).

After praying that God would protect us and our family, we left home.

Within 20 minutes, we were singing at decibels that would fade out kid's voices, with fake microphones and listening to music we were raised to...Kris and his Johnny Cash and me...Bon Jovi. Before we knew it we started laughing and were able to leave our tough stresses at home.

I love memory making and this trip was no exception.

We ended up :

*navigating through freeways with no clue, no GPS and no idea which exit to take...and I'll add, with no gas in the tank...

* stopping for gas in the heart of downtown where it appeared that gang members were patrolling the area in old cop cars. S.C.A.R.Y!!!

*explaining to Kris what a mall walker was and pointing them out. Did you know they even stretch? Awesome to see so many people getting healthy.

* going out ...anytime, anywhere without a babysitter!

*stopping at every Starbucks along the way

*experiencing Albertville for the first time (outlet shopping at its finest)...need I say more?

*laughing to ourselves as we were one of the largest malls in the world and marketing didn't overtake us...and oh, so thankful, that are kids weren't there.

*seeing beautiful brown babies, wanting to reach out and hold each one of them. And with tears in our eyes, talking about our own precious bundle we are anticipating. Oh, please God, let it come soon, we pray! This momma is aching to hold her baby...

* shopping two days straight with 3 major blisters...what's that saying???...'if there's a will, ...'

* waking up early and working out for an hour every morning...no one asking for breakfast or milk or to be held...just being!!!

* witnessing my first fountain pen worth over $17500...and the ink had to be bought separately!!!

* driving through pounding rain or thick fog the entire 8 hours both ways...which made for focusing on each other.

*laughing, holding hands, finishing each other's sentences...

Having complete peace that God is in control of our life's storm and the winter storm that chased us home 2 days early.