Every summer I plan a trip where it's just Ben, Alex and myself -- a trip where we can bond, tell silly jokes, learn stuff, visit cheesy restaurants, try new things and make new memories. This year's trip happened to land on the same week Dori was slowly recovering from his Emergency Room visit for his inability to maintain his oxygen levels. Chris convinced me that Dori would recover just fine without me -- that between his angels that assist in taking care of him during the day and his night nurses all will be well.
So with lots of worry in my head and guilt in my heart I went ahead and left with Ben and Alex to the Ozarks. Since Dori wasn't well, and Wynnie does not do well on road trips nor heat -- we left both of them in good hands and Chris oversaw all the logistics of meds, nurses, etc. My best friend Stacy (sorority sister and close friend of mine since kindergarten) and my very dear close friend Jaymie (sorority sister, bridesmaid and the wise cracking jokester of the group) and their sweet children were exactly what the doctor ordered for the boys and I. First I want to thank their husbands for letting their children and women run amuck with me -- but the laughs, the stories and the love were heaven sent.
Ben and Alex have been so understanding these past two weeks about being super quiet for Dori's naps and when the babies at times get sick I know they get nervous and try their best to help; even if it's just hugging their baby brothers or just given Chris or I a hug. So we all deserved this fun road trip to the Show Me state. If you really want to know why they call it the Show Me state, you have to take a boat to party cove, but Ben and Alex will never have their sweet innocent minds tarnished with that for another 50 years I hope.
By the time I drove back home (8.5 hours) on Friday, Dori was already breathing well on his own on room air (no need for the O2 machine) and was maintaining his saturation levels perfectly fine. He was talking more and was even rapping. That made me so incredibly happy and relieved.
Ben and Alex were able to knock off alot of "firsts" at the lake. They swam in the lake (only after obtaining double assurances that barracudas nor sharks inhabit the Ozarks), they rode on sea doo's, they dove off boating dock roofs, had a dance-off contest (moms vs kids, glad we old moms didn't pull our backs out in the process since we were doing dance moves from college before "Drop it like it's hot" even was a phrase), played sand volleyball, fended off a crazed bully who was pulling kids swim shorts down and making babies cry by taking their toys away (that poor boy had issues), they went to the worlds largest gift store, they visited Missouri's largest candy store, and they learned what the word "tidy" means. What a week!
So blessed to have friends that
- can tell me "I can't believe you have a son as loud as you are!" and instead of being insulted, I am filled with pride
- that can bust out a rap song in sync with you -- based on just one word an innocent little girl says
- who can be as raunchy as any male truck driver in the entire Ozark region
- who won't judge you when you begin happy hour before noon on a Wednesday
Here are some fun pictures of our days at Stacy's lake house. I'm glad the boys bonded so well with Jaymie and Stacy's children, truly made the trip even that much better ! The best part of the trip was when Alex asked me if Jaymie's and Stacy's children were their cousins. In unison, Stacy and I answered yes : )
The kids were catching fish left and right
For a trio of old broads,we held our own with keeping up with the kids
This picture was taken from the sea-doo. We won't go into detail about how scared I was to ride it, but Ben is the 2nd to the left, Alex is the 2nd from the right. Fearless!!!
Alex strapped in and ready to go. Collin was an awesome captain
This water mat is hands down the best invention ever.
Our children get their weirdness from their mamas.
