A Trip to Remember

Introduction

The following is an account of the before, during and after of our unbelievable trip to Texas. I say unbelievable because that is the only word that can possibly describe our entire experience. We are grateful to have been fortunate enough to go and to survive and return safely home. This is dedicated to Mindy, who I owe more than just a wet wipe. I hope my retelling of this story does justice to our suffering and our joys.

Chapter One- Jail Bird

Chapter Two- On the Road

Life was smooth sailing until we hit a snag in Memphis. For some reason the state of Arkansas is a black hole for strange happenings and strange people. We ended up taking an unplanned and unnecessary three hour detour after Memphis. Okay, we got lost. I still swear that it was the garmin that did it. The fact that I was sitting in the navigator's seat had nothing to do with it ;). We pulled over at a gas station on the Arkansas border and asked for directions. And this is a true story. I only embellish a little. On the way in I stepped in something that looked like baked vomit then by the front door there was a bucket for putting out cigarettes, but it was filled with water and who knows what else because flies were swarming around it. We go inside and the floor of the gas station was littered with dead things, maybe because the lady who was preparing the food was spraying the counter tops and food area with bug spray. Seriously, she is standing there spraying while there is open food and bait sitting on the counter. Pretty sure my hand got sprayed in the process. I must say these people were very helpful and very kind and only a few of them had teeth. Mindy couldn't hold it any longer and had to go to the bathroom. She braved the bathroom, but when we got back in the car she declared, "I need a wet wipe and someone owes me big time because I couldn't even use the toilet paper." To make matters worse, a few miles down the road she swore she had gotten bit by something because her foot had started to itch really bad.

Chapter Three- Sanctuary

We finally made it to Sarah's. Hallelujah!!! Oh how I've missed my oldest sister. It was amazing to see her and her family again. We had a blast. Mindy was inspired to buy us all cool Halloween sunglasses. We put them on and started to dance around the house. Actually, we snuck backwards into the boys' room while they were playing the Wii and turned around to show them our awesome glasses and started singing and dancing to "We Like to Move, Move It." Two of them laughed and joined us, but Joey and Brandon just buried their heads so they didn't have to watch. It was awesome! And a perfect start to our week.

My beautiful sisters.

Don't be jealous.

We visited TCBY almost everyday. It was so refreshing because the heat was so bad. The shop was really cool too. Neon lights and colors everywhere. It was kind of a Mormon party the first day, because the cashier was from Sarah's ward and then there were six or eight elders on their P Day there as well, plus us. It was cool.

Choose your flavor on the wall.

And then choose your toppings. You weigh it and pay by the ounce. Now if only I could get paid for how many ounces I weigh. I would be a wealthy woman. Haha.

Princess Lydia.

Madeline is so big now. She is walking and talking. Love it.

We visited the wildlife museum. Ruby's favorite was the Zebra.

Anna and mommy.

My little Punkin.

General store.

Sarah is wishing the candy in the display case is real. Me too!

They should measure by cuteness.

ummm...yep, that's by big sister.

Is this what Heaven is like?

So many choices.

There was a playground outside the museum with an old fire engine for kids to climb on. It ended up being a great prop for pictures.

My mother was in heaven with her seven grandbabies.

Yes sir.

The stud brothers.

Beautiful Ruby.

Awesome Aunt Mindy.

Our week was also full of craft projects. We have started to make crafts every time we see each other. These are rolled fabric flowers for our little girls' hair.

We also went bead shopping and made some really great bracelets. Every lady went home with some bling.

Mike's company built this really amazing organic store called Fresh.

We went after the kids were asleep and ate chocolate hazelnut gelato on the deck of this store/deli/restaurant.

Sam says this is called Jacob's fruit. I have no idea. I just had to take a picture because it's weird looking.

Fresh has special parking and hook ups for shoppers with electric cars. The building also has a large rain barrel on their roof and that it used for watering the landscaping.

Everyone helped deflate Grandma's air mattress every morning.

I think we tired Maddie out.

Joey really got into playing with the kids.

We also visited the Train museum downtown Tyler.

Ruby got to drive the toy train. Fun!

Conductor Todd and Conductor Ruby.

Grandma even got a conductor hat.

Yep, it was hot.

There is more to come, but there is a break in the story to tell you that Mike also had jury duty while we were down there. Although he could not tell us anything to do with the case we were able to figure out from the news that he was on a jury for a murder case. It was pretty brutal and poor Mike had to deal with a lot that week. We love you Mike. Sorry.