Friday afternoon, Chip and Elijah packed up and went off to Men’s Encounter with other guys from iWorshipCenter. A few hours later, my mom came into town. For the first time in almost a year.
Our house is packed. With 7 people and all the stuff they require, we are full up. There is no room at the inn. Only we’re not an inn. We’re a home with a large family.
And while I’m lamenting, why is it that the smaller the person, the bigger the things they require? My oldest can fit his most prized possessions in his pocket (iPod, cell phone, wallet). My youngest though? Her stuff takes up ROOMS! (swing, Bumbo, exersaucer, bouncer, jenny jump-up, boppy pillows). It’s just a lot of stuff.
So, back to the weekend. My mom wanted to take the kids out to do something fun. We stopped at Taco Bell for lunch. Where somehow I’ve convinced my kid that it’s better to eat off the $2 menu than to order anything else. (My secret? It’s the only way they get a soda. If they order anything else they must drink water – which they get ALL. THE. TIME. at home. *exasperated sigh* by my 11yo going on 21).
After tacos, we headed to the Scovill Zoo in Decatur. It’s a nice little zoo and only took us a couple hours to walk through. Monkeys, meerkats, peacocks, chickens, Emily’s first trip to a petting zoo. AMAZING fun! Especially when she started crowing back at the roosters. I want to go back simply because my video of it didn’t turn out. She loved petting the baby goats. And got very excited when the cow said “moo” just inches away from her.
I decided with Chip gone and my mom here, it was a great weekend for a Pinterest project. I settled on making Emily a no-sew tutu. So we were off to Hobby Lobby (where I also bought a Knifty Knitter to make nifty knitted items – anyone with experience want to help me out?). Was quite fun since the store was overrun by 19 and 20 year olds all out looking for items and material for a toga party. I didn’t know they still did those.
Then it was time for a change. As in getting my hairs cut. I got my last hair cut in May. Yes – MAY! Nearly 6 months ago. When it was time to get a haircut, I had a gall bladder attack. Then it was surgery. Followed by having a kidney removed. Followed by recovery. Followed by baseball games/practices, school starting and somehow it was suddenly 6 months since I had one and it was time. I love the way it turned out!
We ran by Target really quickly to pick up a few things I needed (namely a new shirt and some tights for Emily) before getting home 7 hours later!
The problem with Chip being gone is that I do NOT sleep when he’s gone. As in I can’t sleep until I’m sleeping on my feet for the most part and just drop. I got a total of 5 hours all weekend. Not complaining, but definitely thanking my God for sustaining me and giving me GRACE RAIN to get through with JOY!
Sunday was a bit crazy for me. I somehow managed to get 4 kids up and ready without my main helper and to get to the church early enough to make sure everything was up and running smoothly.
After church, I found a man-person to follow us out to Casey’s since it said we had a tire low. Well, two. We pulled out onto the road by our house and it wasn’t just low – it was entirely flat! And we were already 15 minutes late by this point and didn’t have a spare!
So, some quick phone calls and car switching (because there were 6 of us and my mom’s car only holds 5) and we were underway. Angie headed over to post-Encounter celebration and to pick up the guys, while we went to Noah’s game.
Two games (two losses unfortunately) and his season came to an end. Chip and Elijah (and Jordan) all got there just on time to see Noah score. We got a bit of a rally going, but fell just short.
We celebrated the season after the game at Buffalo Wild Wings (Noah’s favorite – he gets wings and then helps me with my nachos – because nachos? YUM! But way too much for one person to eat).
It was a great weekend with a lot of highlights. Lots of crazy antics by my kids. Lots of memories made.