Countdown to Conway

While visiting my dad’s wife’s brother’s wife’s family cottages on picturesque Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, John Freeman asked how many houses they had.  Aunt Carol politely replied in her Chicago accent that they owned eight houses, most of which are rental properties.  To this, John Freeman replied “We don’t even have one house!”

A couple of hours of peace and quiet minus motherly responsibilities was given to me as a gift by the previously mentioned Aunt Carol and her trusty sidekick Uncle Rex.  A massage, time to tinker in a couple of stores, and a leisurely lakeshore walk was just what the doctor ordered. 

Kayaking, tubing, swimming, cookie making, brownie baking, plus a trip to the theater made the to-do list at our lake retreat.  Oh, the beauty of the water this morning as the sun was rising! Thank you, God, for reminding us of your creativity each time we see, smell, or hear the wonders of your world.    

As we top 5,000 miles on our summer tour of adventures, we see the finish line in the near distance.  We’ll spend a couple of days on the farm here in Indiana before making a final pit stop in Memphis to visit my childhood friend and her family.  From there, it’s a straight shot to Arkansas where Jack and I will reunite.  We’ll then cross the border and search for a home in Oxford, Mississippi.  Go Rebels!

Learning the differences between moths and butterflies made for an educational outing at a Madison, Wisconsin conservatory filled with the flying flutterers.  Truth be told, the kids and their cousins just wanted the winged beauties to land on their shoulders, arms, legs, toes, any appendage, as long as it landed on them!  No such luck.  For lunch, we dined at a deli decorated with carnival and fair paraphernalia.  Dessert was a carousel ride on the century old amusement machine with all cousins aboard. 

The countdown to Conway begins.

Kentucky, Indiana, and Wisconsin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, to be blessed with honest friends … before leaving Louisville, I was informed by a self-appointed editor that my usage of exclamation points is excessive!!!!!!  While our kiddos played at the park, I was educated on appropriate times and places to use the exclamatory mark.  This fabulous friend provided examples for me as far as when the exclamation point was necessary.  (“Mommy, watch me slide.” versus “Mommy, watch me slide!”)

Across the Ohio River we traveled from Kentucky to Indiana.  We were reminded that it’s the simple things in life that mean the most to kids … a trip to Wal-Mart with Papaw, riding his lawnmower around the yard again and again, watering Mamaw’s  flowers, and assisting in the creation of dessert.  Perhaps the highlight of hanging in Waynetown, Indiana, was the rooster that crossed Main Street.  Seriously, it just waddled from one side to the other.  Papaw asked his grandchildren if they knew why the rooster had crossed the road.  “To get to the other side, of course,” they replied.  (We may be from Arkansas/Mississippi but we know a few jokes!)

Lunchtime, naptime, and playtime with cousins Clyde and Patrick in Madison, Wisconsin made for a wonderful Wednesday.  More to come tomorrow.

Touring, Driving, and Resting

“It’s the only day we can go into the city!” I exclaimed, to my dear college friend, warning me of Wednesday’s heat advisories!  Armed with water bottles and snacks, Jill and I left her house herding four kids toward our nation’s capitol.  Fifteen hours later, sweaty and sleepy, we staggered through the door after experiencing more of our nation’s capitol in one day than some people do in a lifetime!  A duck tour on land and the Potomac River, an air-conditioned view inside the Capitol, plus museums and monuments made for a marvelous excursion!

What does it say about me that the highlight of Thursday was being in a convenience store restroom alone as we endured the 10 hour trip from Maryland to Kentucky?!  It wasn’t the décor, just the desolation.  Thank you, God, for that private moment without a request for a snack, movie, drink, book, piece of gum, toy, game, sunglasses, or any other item that makes our adventure complete!

Standing next to a 120 feet tall baseball bat was a thrill for Team O’Keefe.  The Louisville Slugger is the official bat of Major League Baseball and it’s manufactured right here in the birthplace of Lucy and John Freeman!  It’s been a day for recovery and recuperation as our generous hosts open their home to us as family.  I worked for Fred and Gale as a nanny during my college years at UofL.  Here we are two decades later, and they’re still providing me with room and board!!! 

Virginia and Maryland Welcome Team O'Keefe

Before saying good-bye to Cousins Palermo in Charlottesville, the big two kiddos and I paid a visit to the home of our nation’s third President.  Thomas Jefferson had a “huge house” according to John Freeman.  The 11,000 square foot mansion plus 500 acres of gardens, sheds, cottages and quarters, offered an educational peek into our past.  Just hours earlier, we relaxed on the lawn at the University of Virginia, founded by Jefferson, munching on lunch and basking in the warmth of the beautiful campus.

Driving through mountains of Virginia as the sun was setting offered another scenic sight.  The kids were showered and in pjs.  It was smooth sailing until “Mommy, I need to potty!” from the kid in the far back passenger side.  (Deep sigh) We stopped.  We took care of business.  We were back on the road in a matter of minutes.  Again, the scene was breathtaking until … “Mommy, I need to potty!”  (Another deep sigh)  Again, we stopped but this time on the side of the road … (not such a breathtaking scene) … Eventually, our nation’s capitol came into view and we arrived at my college friend’s house.  Jill and Tom live in a picturesque country estate in North Potomac, Maryland. 

A backyard water slide and nearby pool made for Monday fun.  Tuesday touring found us at a playground and on a train ride.  Tomorrow, our nation’s capitol will host Team O’Keefe, minus little two, who will be in the capable care of Martina, Jill’s fabulous au pair from Austria!  Lucy asked if we would get to meet the President?!  Hmmmm …. on this adventure, you never know!!!

Good night John Boy!

As we near the halfway point of our road trip, we continue to wonder where God will have us land in August.  It’s exciting. It’s enticing.  It’s exhausting.  In 24 hours, Jack and I drove from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Winston-Salem where we dropped off H and H in the care of our trusty teenaged nephew and niece.  We then headed south to Charlotte where we left the big two with my college roommate.  A few hours later, we were in Augusta, Georgia, having dinner with friendly folks from Augusta State University.  The next day, I backtracked and picked up kids!  Jack left for Washington to recruit on the west coast.  We already miss him.

This morning, I overheard Henry talking to my sister-in-law’s brother (I know it’s confusing … just stay with me … ).  Over breakfast cereal, Hen asks “Did you know my sister picks at her scabs?”  Take a breath.  “ Have you seen God?  I have!”  Take a breath.  “My Mamaw and Papaw’s cat named Patches, died.”  Take a breath.  We really should listen to children more often.  There are words of wisdom in their innocent speech.

My Virginia cousin entertained us this evening with a scrumptious dinner.  Her daughters entertained the children with games and books.  We have an early morning bike outing planned (adults only!) and then a visit to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, before trekking to Maryland.  All is quiet now in the mountains near Charlottesville … “Good night John Boy!”   We’re close to Walton’s Mountain!!!

Beach Break

For the last six months, we’ve encouraged, prodded, even bribed Hogan to potty in the toilet.  That’s where the potty goes … in the toilet, not in a diaper, not in underwear but in the toilet.  Today, we totally confused him by giving him permission to potty in the ocean.  His face contorted into a confused grimace.  What?  Potty there?  Do I pull down my pants? 

Lu and Johnny Free continue to practice their swimming in preparation for the Conway Kids’ Triathlon in August.  Henny’s always trying to keep up with big brother and sister so he continues to improve his “three style” swimming.  He’s so proud!

We enjoyed a delicious celebratory dinner tonight at an upscale, white tablecloth bistro.  The children devoured she crab soup while I coerced them into sea scallops plus grilled veggies!  According to the kiddos, we were celebrating opportunity, the beach, birthdays, and family time!!! 

We have more cable channels here than should even be legal and still“The Waltons” takes priority!

We’re on the road again tomorrow evening.  It’s been a beautiful  beach break!

Serenity at Sunrise to Jellyfish Jungle

It was a first for our family this morning as we worshiped seaside!  Shorts, bare feet, and sand between our toes were the norm at the service held on the beach.  Thank you, Lord, that you are more concerned that we DO worship as opposed to when, where, or how we are dressed.  Give us genuine motives, God, to come before you in pure, simple worship sitting alongside the sea, staring in amazement at one of your most magnificent creations.

We could have used a bit of the morning serenity during our evening walk on the beach.  For reasons unbeknownst to us, jellyfish flooded the shoreline.  Supposedly the transparent ones without any red interior are the non-stinging kind.  Tell that to our shrieking and screaming toddlers!  I think they secretly plotted that when one took a breath the other would screech louder!  And then, (pregnant pause) ... the miracle … John Freeman picked up a dead jellyfish, introduced his brothers, and suddenly it was hip to skip jellyfish across the ocean waters!  We expect jellyfish skipping to one day become an Olympic sport!

Quotes of the day … I ask “Did you brush your teeth?”  Son answers “Yes.  I couldn’t find my toothbrush so I just used one of the others.  But I did brush!” 

And if you need an inspirational read, pick up “The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers” by Amy Hollingsworth.  It’s been a soothing beach read full of spiritual insights from the man many say was the world’s most beloved neighbor.