We took "family" vacations camping, to the beach, and mini trips to water parks and zoo's, etc. When it was just two kids we always went to Florida for a week every summer, those were easy car trips. When we went camping it was fun packing the back of a full sized truck...lot's of room there!
Then came baby daughter #2 ... and our first used mini van. Not so hard packing for two pre-teens and one tiny baby in an 8 seat van. Sweet baby #4 came along with another car seat and two real teenagers with all their stuff! At this point it was getting a little more challenging getting all our stuff in, around, and under the seats and two car seats of our old gray van. We still went to Florida for a week that year...and one or two camping trips! Shoot, we were getting the hang of this traveling with 4 kids thing so we took the ultimate family trip...we went to Washington DC for a whole week!! We rode the Metro...saw the sights...and never lost a one of them!
Along came baby #5 with two fully loaded teenagers and two very busy toddlers! We went on one tent camping trip from H--L! It rained the entire time and packing back up the now double cab truck with all the soaking wet gear, clothes, sleeping bags, and kids...all the while keeping up with two toddlers...it was a challenge my sweet hubby has not forgotten and still refuses to plan a camping trip now because of.
Well, many many years later the little kiddies are all grown and it's quiet here at home most of the time...I say most of the time because we still have one failure-to-launch son at home.
Recently sweet hubby and I ...sitting on the front porch swing watching the cars drive way too fast down our street....decided we were going to take the trip of a life time! I went online and learned all about booking flights and bought our tickets...took me hours! My fingers were shaking when I clicked the purchase button. I have never put that much money on a credit card at one time in all my life! We emptied the money jar we have been saving for over 26 years...we rolled every quarter, nickel, dime, and most of the pennies. For two weeks we sorted, counted, and rolled coins...till our fingers were black! Yes, money is very dirty!!! We found several wheat pennies and one Indian head nickel in all that money not one rare coin. This is a picture of the jar when we were half way through and the count was at $875. I have no idea why this section is highlighted...looks like I know what I am doing huh?
We shopped for luggage...two trips to Ross to purchase and two to return the bags ....we ended up buying online finally...hopefully we have found bags that will fit the 22" x 14" x 9" flight restrictions thanks to
eBags.com.
eBags.com.
Then began my struggle...I wasn't packing a van or a truck...I was packing for 11 days in one tiny bag and all my lotions and potions have to fit in one quart zip lock bag!!! Please...I am over the 50 hill and slip sliding to 60 and I need my lotions!!!
We spent this week getting our Last Will and Testaments made...another one of hubby's ideas! I think he wanted to cover all the bases and finally get me to accomplish this dreaded task once and for all. For years he has wanted to have a will made up, but when it came to the part of who to leave the kids with we always came to a screeching halt because who did we know that was as crazy as we were to want 5 kids anyway!
So what the heck is a "testator"???
For two weeks now I have been trying on clothes to see if they still fit and packing and unpacking my bags trying to get it down to just the bare necessities of life. By the time we actually climb into that limo...yes, I said "limo"...it was hubby's idea to ride to the airport in a limo sedan...only at 6:00 am who will notice! Neither one of us wanted to drive to the airport, nor did either one of us want to leave our vehicle there for that long a period of time. Haaaaa.....anyway, I am proud to say I think I have actually accomplished getting my bags packed and ready.
But, I know me and about half way to the airport I will remember what I forgot to pack... as if it would fit anyway....
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