An Unscheduled Stop

This past weekend was crazy for many reasons but the biggest one was the tornado activity in Joplin, Missouri. We left SDC late in the afternoon. We got to Springfield, Missouri when a news report came over the radio saying that there were tornado's on the ground in Joplin, Missouri and headed our direction. We made the decision to go back to a McDonald's we had passed. We were at the McDonald's for about an hour when it calmed down enough for us to get back on the road. As we were leaving I spotted a rainbow actually I think it was a double rainbow. It was beautiful.

As we were leaving we heard that part of I44, the main highway we were taking home were closed due to overturned semis and damages. We headed down I44 and when we hit mile marker 18 we were diverted off the highway to Carthage, Missouri. We stopped at a gas station and I went in to get an atlas. We needed to find an alternate route and fast. After talking to several people we decided on a route and headed out. Tony, Heather, Katy, Jordan, Becca and Jake were in the car ahead of us. We had Mike, Marilyn, me, Emma and Conor. Both Conor and Emma were tired and cranky. Emma kept crying and I was losing my cool. Mike was getting frustrated and Marilyn I thought was going to have a break down at any moment. Driving in the dark, on roads we didn't know was making us crazy. At some point we decided to try to get a hotel room for the night. I started to call around and finally found one at the Grand House Hotel. A little strip hotel run by a seemingly nice Indian couple. The price was right so I got us a room. The Millers decided not to stay but to brave the dark and head on home. I wanted Marilyn to stay with us for her safety and sanity but that was not up to me. Off they went and we checked in. Our room was small with two full sized beds.

 Mike and I aren't used to such a small bed but I wasn't going to complain I just wanted to sleep. We were all pretty hyped up so we watched tv and tried to relax. We were all asleep by midnight. We awoke in the morning around 8 a.m. and took our time getting around. I sat down with the atlas and plotted our route. We were on the road by 9:30 a.m. The weather was bad at first but got better as we went along. We went through Missouri, Kansas and came down HWY 169 to Tulsa. We got to see some beautiful places along the way so it wasn't all bad. Michael was wonderful. Both he and I can be hotheaded but when we have to work together we make a great team. I'm glad he agreed with me to stop for the night and get a room. Yes it delayed our trip and he had to miss work and Jordan had to miss school but I felt this was the best to protect our kids. We had already been in the car for 4 hours or so and traveling with a hysterical infant and a cranky toddler is difficult and in severe weather even worse. He is a wonderful father and husband and I wouldn't have him any other way. We arrived home about 1 p.m. unloaded the car, ate lupper (lunch/supper) then all took naps. Maybe next year if we go we can avoid May.

Silver Dollar City 2011

As most of you know we went to Silver Dollar City this past weekend. You also know that we went last year and it rained the entire 2 days we were there. I am happy to say that we were there for two days and not one drop of rain fell. It was a blast. We went with my husbands mother and sister and her family. It was even more fun because Conor was finally tall enough to ride some rides. We left at 5 am Saturday morning and arrived in SDC about 9:30 a.m. We shopped, rode rides and just enjoyed the sights. We then checked into a very nice hotel for the evening.

This was our room. We had a nice sized living area with kitchen, a nice bathroom with a washer and dryer and a nice bedroom with a huge bed. I didn't want to leave.

We arrived at SDC the next day at 8:30 a.m. We ate breakfast at the The Mill. Then we went into the park and took in more shopping and riding. All weekend Mike had been trying to get me on a roller coaster called 'Fire in the Hole'. We got in line and we were about 4 people away when they shut the ride down for repairs. He was so bummed. But I told him I would promise to go on it next year. All in all it was a really good trip. The trip home was bumpy but that's another blog.

So busy....

Its been a little bit since I last posted. A lot has happened. The kids are growing so fast. Lets see Conor had eye surgery to fix his blocked tear duct and now wears glasses.

Jordan is doing great in school. He got all "A's" on his latest report card. Emma is growing like a weed. She is so close to crawling its adorable.

Mike and I are doing good. I am so proud of him. He is doing exceptional in school. Its hard I wont lie but I know he is doing this to make our lives better so in the mean time I will be as supportive as I can be. All in all things between us are good.

On a more somber note Mikes Mom has been diagnosed with cancer and we are awaiting final results. I know this will be a trying time but I believe that God will bring us through whatever the outcome. In the meantime we are praying and being faithful thats all we can do.

My kids are my joy. They may drive me nuts and annoy me some days but I love them with everything I have.

Easter Sunday 2011