The Best Kind to Have: What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

We just made a family road trip. It's becoming a bit of a tradition as it was the second year in a row that we have made this trip over this particular weekend. The last two years we have driven out to Denver to visit my older sister. Always a bit of an awkward trip, due to quite a bit of family dysfunction. At some point I might talk about this. I actually have a rather long winded post saved as a draft, but decided against it after I felt so much better just writing it all out, even if no one ever sees it. The main point of the trip is to see my oldest niece and nephew, and for my sister to get to know the munch and the sweet grill and for them to get to know their Aunt and their cousins.

Denver is and will always be my home, so it's a bit of a hard trip because I hate to leave. I left though to change my life and my lifestyle, and without leaving I wouldn't one be the person I am today, and two I more than likely would not have met my husband. Maybe now I'm more settled and more comfortable in my skin, I could go back there and live quite happily without falling into any of my own pitfalls.

Anyway, without further adieu, here are some things I discovered while we were gone.

Portable DVD players are very necessary for entertainment purposes. I heard more Transformers and Yo Gabba Gabba than I ever care to hear again, but I had happy kiddos and happy kiddos make for a happy drive.

11 hours is too long of a trip with a one and a half year old and a three and half year old. Breaking it up was a life saver. Even though it seemed twice as long.

Who knew that "I'm going to tickle your piggies" would provide some of the biggest belly laughs heard to date. Used as a distraction from a tired little girl from a temper tantrum.

That potty breaks with the munch, could turn into some of the most interesting conversations. Anyone who was in the bathroom with us, probably got more than a few chuckles.

That it only takes one visit to a truck stop for a three and a half year old boy to discover that they are a true mecca of all things unnecessary.

That truck stops are in fact evil.

The sweet grill loves her puppy cousin Winston the morkie, it brought new meaning to the term puppy love.

The sweet grill needs to learn not to kiss with her mouth open.

Children who live in a house without stairs, are quite fascinated when they arrive in a house with stairs. Same stairs are a great form of exercise for mommies that need it.

If you forget to put sunscreen on the back of your neck, since it's used to longer hair, you will get a nice sunburn,

That puddles are made for jumping, anytime anywhere. Even Mommies need a good puddle jump from time to time.

Traveling with the munch and the sweet grill is tiring. Though I will say that they are troopers.

That the sweet grill is very social even with stingrays, who she kept saying hi to as they would swim by her. She's also brave and loved to touch them when they would get close. I suspect she would have jumped in the water and played with them if it would have been possible.

I learned that the munch sees the bright side in all circumstances. When traveling on a particularly boring stretch of road. On I-70 from Salina to Denver, if anyone is familiar. In the great nothingness, he said "Mommy, look at that beautiful sky, isn't that the coolest thing you've ever seen?" I see nothing, but he sees beauty.

I learned that visits are fun, but home is always better. Also brings the best sleep for the kiddos once they are back in their own beds.

Most importantly, I love my family more than I could ever put into words. My husband, my son and my daughter are the best people in the world to me. My heart is full. I am content.