Wordless Wednesday: Bear Lake brrrrrrrrr!

On the B Side: I can't just not comment. How cute is my precious little D man?! Why do they have to grow up so fast?? The little guy is with his Dad tonight and it just isn't the same without him here with us. Sigh.

On the Road Again?

36 hours + 8 states + 3 days + 3 adults + 3 kids + 2 dogs + 1 truck = a rootin' tootin' good time (please let me be cheesy in my hour of excitement!) It's a straight shot across route 80!

Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and onto home. Home sweet home. Say it with me. Just say it with me. You know you want to and I know that you wish it were your home, too.

P-E-N-N-S-Y-L-V-A-N-I-A.

Yes, it is within the realm of possibility. I have made this road trip many times; however, I have not made it since I was 21. That's a lot of years ago (gulp) and if I'm ever to pull this off I will be taking three of the kids and I'M SO EXCITED! I seriously could pee my pants and not even care right now.

I haven't been home in almost 4 years and that was beyond a disastrous trip right out of the gate that time around. The kids were ages 1 and 2 and I had surgery on my foot the week before we flew (broke a bone in my foot, had to have it extracted and a tendon reattached, ugh). Not sure how the three of us made it across the country and I'm pretty sure I have blurred the whole trip out in my mind but I do so love home.

My dad has flown out here each year and while I'm always glad to have him with us, it isn't the same as being home with him. Dayton has been talking about him a ton lately and it's hard to explain the time and distance away. We're already planning a trip to Hershey, NYC, Little League Museum, family reunions, Lewisburg, the Amish Markets, Knoebels, Penn State, grave side visits, the Twin Kiss, and lots of time at the house (in the pool and with the cats!) but I don't dare set my heart on the trip too much as the thought of it not working out just sucks!

My step Dad Mikey is quite the character and I do so love him. Today we (me, Dayton, Ellie and Adi) drove to his home and he cleaned all off the dog poop off of Dayton's boots (sick, nasty and wrong task). He also cleaned it all out of the inside of my car and thoroughly cleaned the car mat (seriously, it was everywhere). He does a great job of helping me in many instances and has experienced a real softening over time that is such a blessing to myself and the children.

It was during the poop cleaning extravaganza that he mentioned his road trip to PA (in which I do so hope to hitch a ride!!). He was excited at the prospect of having company in the truck (yes truck...a brand new one that is fully loaded!) So keep your fingers crossed that it all works out, that I get the sign off from the ex and that my new job is permitting

My Mom got home while we were there and Ellie proceeded to tell her that she was going to PA with Grandpa Mikey to see Grandpa John and it looks like my Mom may be joining us. Yes, we will all fit comfortably and Harley and Lilly (huge-o labs) will be accompanying us should we be lucky enough to pull it all together!

On the B Side: I have renewed hope and excitement! I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve and I love the feeling of pure giddiness! xoxo

Manic Monday: Cell

I can remember a world without cell phones. I also remember the coming of age when my Mother had a GIGANTIC portable cell phone in her car. It lived in a black nylon zippered pouch with velcro all over the place and it was off limits. We were not allowed to touch that beast and frankly had no interest. I'm thinking 1986. She was one of the few people that had one and only kept it for the purpose of an emergency as she traveled some distance to work each day. This marked a time when cell phones served as a rare luxury of sorts.

Fast forward. 1994. I had one friend who had one. It just seemed rather ridiculous and the last thing that seemed desirable in my mind was being indispensable. Pushing past the next few years of college and my mission and I remember my first cell phone. After my return to the States from Europe I acquired one for the mere purpose of an emergency. At least that is what I told myself when I secured it. It did help me during one of my travels to and from Penn State on at least one unexpected occasion. Justification, I suppose. Whatever works.

I couldn't tell you the number but I can tell you that it had the cutest light blue slightly sparkly case and was one of the early Nokia bricks. Now I carry multiple phones for different reasons and spend way too much time on them. I hang my head in shame. Marky works in the cell phone industry and loves his job. He is a geek in denial when it comes to the latest and greatest cell phones, features and functionality. We all now live in a world that is full of

'Wheres my cell?'
'Has anyone seen my cell?'
'I don't know the number off hand. Let me check my cell.'
'Is that my cell?'
'Oh wait, hold on. That's my cell.'
'I so want a new ring tone for my cell.'
'Ugh, I can't stand the answer tone on your cell.'
'Whoops, forgot to turn my cell off.'
"Can't hear you. Must be my cell."
"Sorry, lost you. My cell dropped the call."

Saturday night Mark and I watched, "Seven Pounds". It is by far one of the best movies I have seen in a really long time and easily hits my top 10 list. I was so intrigued and blown away by the intricate story line and am already plotting to see it again (along with "Gran Torino"). It all revolves around a cell. I won't go any further at the risk of giving any of it away. I can tell you that I have added some new resolutions to my list after Saturday night.

It's sad and sick that we have to create legislation against cells but it has come to that for good reason because of all of the bad things that have occurred. CA has now made it illegal to text while driving. Really people? Really? We live in a crazy world if we have to make things like this illegal to keep people from doing it. Again, want to jeopardize your own life. That's fine BUT DO NOT jeopardize mine and in exchange I return the favor. Hey, thanks.

On the B Side: Cell phones are still a luxery in my mind but what I hate is that I can't live without mine. Ugh.