Going to Dad's house for a few days was a nice little get-a-way. That's not to say we didn't hit a few bumps along the way. I was a little concerned about everything fitting into the van. My van seats seven but it has zero storage area. There's only enough room for the stroller to fit behind the back seats. The stroller didn't get to go so that we could have some room for luggage and I told everyone to pack light. For some reason though, it never even occurred to me about leaving room for Christmas gifts that we would be coming home with us. I did manage to make everything fit but we were all pretty packed in.
The kids actually did pretty well on the way to West Virgina. About 2 hours from the 'hollar' they got pretty anzy and started bombarding us with 'are we there yet'. Dad has a beautiful home which you can see in the picture above. However, it is located down this po-dunk hollar. I've been down a lot of hollars in my life, but this one is 'special'. The first time I experienced this hollar (I say that because it is an experience) I screamed at Dave to SLOW DOWN after I just about threw up! The potholes in this thing could swallow the entire van I swear. However, this time I thought the hollar was looking great. Hilde has done a wold of difference by getting the state (or whoever) finally out there to take care of it. The potholes weren't nearly as bad or many, even though there were still a few. With all this being said keep in mind that it was pitch black out by the time we made it to the hollar. I was going nice and super slow (remember, I've drove down this thing at night before). I pothole turns up and move slightly as to avoid the pothole and every passenger in my van, including my sister, begins screaming at the top of their lungs. Scared the crap out of me! Well I had to slam on my break and stop the van completely and let everyone know to never again scream like that in the van. Apparently, they all thought I was driving them over the edge of a mountain.
Once we actually got there and got everyone out of the van things went a little smoother. The kids wanted to open gifts immediately (this is when it first occurred to me about taking extra things home with us~ duh). Dad and Hilde have the most
beautiful BIGGEST tree I've ever seen inside someone's home. They have to use a 10 ft. ladder to assemble and decorate this huge tree. There is an ornament for each child and grandchild. Which is quite a few ornaments considering that between the two of them they have 5 kids and 11 grandkids!
The kids were up pretty early and ready to get their day with Papaw 
started. It was pretty cold out but they were able to put their coats on and play around outside for a little bit. The older kids the 4 wheeler for a little bit and then Dad got out Brandon's bb gun . Imagine my surprise when Sierra turned out to be a sharp shooter. She never missed! Too bad she won't have much of a chance to use this talent seeing how I am not a fan of guns or hunting.
We got to see some family that we don't get see very often. We got to see Roney, whom I haven't seen in years and the same for Aunt Edna. We also got to meet Savanah for the first time, Mike's daughter. She is such a beautiful young lady who strongly resembles her daddy. It's always great when we get to see Aunt Tiney, Uncle Butch and Pam. As soon as the kids saw Aunt Tiney walk in they all went straight to the table and were ready to play spoons! I'm still wondering why I don't ever remember playing spoons as a child and why I still don't know how to play spoons?!
It was a really nice visit. Obviously, I'm leaving a few things out. Nothing major~ my small breakdown at Bob Evans, Levi's cold, nasty van attitude. It was a great visit but it's always nice to be back home, too. But even we when smack dab in the middle of the roughest part of the trip - those last two hours- I was already starting to think about the next time we would be able to visit again. Some of my best memories as a child was our trips to West Virgina. I always heard Dad refer to it as 'home' and that's what it always felt like to me. I always felt like I was home.
Sorry that I haven't been blogging much lately. I just haven't felt like it. I guess I'm sort of in a funk. Honestly, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. The kids have been soooo sick. Sierra just got back from Christmas break and she just missed an entire week of school. Again, she has back to back strep throat and then got the stomach flu (from Sienna) on top of that. Sienna had a NASTY stomach bug that lasted for a week! Levi is actually weathering the storm like a champ, much to my surprise. He does have a cough and runny nose but that's nothing at this point.
I have a very weak stomach. I know it's a mental thing, but still~ I'll hurl in a heartbeat for the right smell. Puke is one of those smells. As a mother we endure many things and would throw ourselves in front of a speeding bus for the sake of our children. This thought becomes incredibly real to me as I hold out my shirt or my hands for my child to puke in. All in a mother's love that you can never possibly fully appreciate until you are a mother.
I am soooo incredibly behind on my laundry. My washing machine has been pretty much monopolized by sheets, blankets and pillows. Any sort of free time has been monopolized by my Lysol can and scrub bucket. I've even had to pull out my emergency reserve of 'granny panties' (that are only kept for situations such as this). Again, all in a mother's love that you can never possibly fully appreciate until you are a mother.
I have seen the inside of the pediatrician's office 3 times within the last 5 days. I have verified my home address, phone, pharmacy and emergency contact at each of those visits. I have read approximately 20 books and identified each animal on the Ark too many times at those visits. I discovered (too late) that I wore the same sweatshirt to 2 of those 3 visits. And twice I discovered (again, too late) that Levi smeared cookie all over my shoulder. Again, all in a mother's love that you can never possibly fully appreciate until you are a mother.
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