Arkansas and Family

A few weeks ago we received Karen's Retirement announcement in the mail. Our immediate feeling reflected on us being happy for her and not even considering an attempt to attend as she lives in Arkansas and with the super crazy economy. Well then we found out that Melissa and the kids were going and she was in talks with Adam. Humm.... Two siblings and two children, then I called Michelle and she said that she was considering the trip. That is when we knew we needed to investigate our possible attendance. Many steps later we decided that I would be taking flight to Arkansas. I was happy and nervous. See Karen does have some physical health and mental health issues which she is in control of due to medication and a healthier lifestyle. What she has little control of is her tolerance, her mouth, and her temper. Although she is good at overlooking sticky circumstances and having a good time. So the happy feelings that I had took in the family gathering aspect. While the nervous aspect encompassed the unexpected comfort-ability that many little children had on the lady of the hour.

All in all the trip was successful! There was no major catastrophe. We all accomplished the goal of celebrating a momentous Birthday and Retirement as a family.

Highlights

-Peter-

• Peter showed up. Despite the unplanned arrival.
• Peter wasted no time in voicing his opinion and suggestions to others regarding their lives.
• Peter helped Karen load her presents and extras.
• Peter started the communication ball rolling regarding Dad's 60'th birthday.
• Peter made the whole room laugh when he described his party idea as "Something we have never seen before".
• Peter continued his regular attempts in assisting Melissa and Michelle in parenting.

-Melissa-

• Melissa dropping her credit card in the house/on the patio/ in the backyard/ you get the picture.... at least 20 times.
• Melissa developing over 400 pictures. I think Walgreens had a sale .10 cents a pic.
• Melissa climbing the Pinnacle Mountain with her kids even though she is petrified of heights and over cautious with her kids. On the way down the mountain Michelle and I conveniently separated her kids from her. They made it to the bottom before she did :)
• Melissa thinking that Garden Ridge Pottery sells live plants.
• Melissa had a wonderful opportunity to prepare Jessica for a major singing event. Yes, Jessica sang for her Grandma Karen's Retirement Party. She did a wonderful job. Video on Melissa's blog.
• Melissa being scatter brained misplaced items: keys, SD cards, so what else is new ;)

-Adam-

• Adam finally allowed us to meet his girlfriend. I don't think we scared her... although I do think that she may have been puzzled with us at times.
• Adam for sharing his laughter with us. Yes, his distinct laughter allows me to recognize him even though he is not in sight.
• Adam for being the only man to assist 4 women and 4 children (1 yr, 2 yr, 5 yr, 7yr) up the Pinnacle Mountain and we didn't even bring enough water. What a boyscout!!
• Adam for mostly carrying 40 extra lbs of dead weight and a screaming baby, with an uncomfortable bjoran backpack.
• Adam for killing all the enormous roaches that were attracted to our room at night. Yes, I slept in a cocoon!
• Adam for playing jenga with Michelle and I. He did set me up to lose. He brought a thick book to build up on but conveniently forgot that there was a pencil in the pages that made the surface uneven....

-Sonia-

• Sonia for being expected to know Little Rock roads and directions. Yet even when give a GPS tool we still made many u turns or corrections. Sorry Michelle! She drove.
• Sonia attempted to assist Michael with homework and when going up and down the mountain--when his mom was beyond frustrated.
• Sonia made sure that everyone left with minimal dirty laundry. Man... one day of dirty cloths for 4 kids really has a bad odor. Phew!
• Sonia gave Karen basic lessons to use her new digital 8.1 MP Kodak camera!
• Sonia got to play, play, play with all the kids. I can't believe how fast they have developed.
• Sonia was not denied by Sofia. I got to be there when she woke up a few times. She was happy to reach for me!!
• Sonia got to run up and down the hill with Sergio and Michael. The hill is quite steep and requires energy that I forgot that I had.
• Sonia was able to have great talks with almost everyone.
• Sonia expressed to Melissa and Michelle about how much they are admired and adored.
• Sonia displayed low tolerance for Peter's poor behavior.

-Michelle-

• Michelle was a trooper, when the times got tough. She kept a great attitude dispite comments and frustrations.
• Michelle carried Sofia all the way up the mountain.
• Michelle drove over 10 hours with her babies to make the trip.
• Michelle chauffeured all of us around even when we thought we knew where we were going. When crossing the AR river Michelle was guided all eyes to the bridges we could see and the ones we couldn't see.
• Michelle has learned that some GPS are too wordy. "Stay to the right of the fork in the road".
• Michelle had no problem changing dirty diapers, but throwing them away.... she was pretty sneaky at leaving surprise presents for Sonia.
• Michelle remembered to include her husband at the top of the mountain. Ahhh, how cute.
• Michelle realized at the end of the trip that Don is hard of hearing... She thought her funny jokes were just not working!

-Michael-

• Michael had a lot of fun playing with Sergio.
• Michael was so excited to climb the mountain but as we got closer to the top he was sooooo tired and exhausted he was ready to "quite and give up". Later he expressed that the mountain was "more steep then he thought it was". Pretty impressive expression. Love you Michael.
• Michael did have a hard time listening to and following directions, but it is so hard when you are in the middle of having fun!
• Michael did make time and to do his homework. I was sooo impressed. He is working on subtraction. OK, Melissa said that his teacher wants him to just process the problem without using his fingers. He is 7 and I'm 28. I still use my fingers.

-Jessica-

• Jessica did such a good job playing by herself, with Michael and Sergio. I think she stayed away from Sofia but I could have just missed it.
• Jessica sang for her grandma and a lot of adult strangers. She did an awesome job!
• Jessica followed Sergio and Annie (the dog) all over the place.
• Jessica and her mommy had some great relaxing, silly, fun moments with her mom.
• Jessica took some great pictures.

-Sergio-

• Sergio practiced at being a photographer and model. Notice his "Hulk" face!
• Sergio was displaying his large vocabulary and manners while communicating.
• Sergio shares sooo much love with Michael and Jessica. It is soo sweet to here the giggles and see the love.
• Sergio heard every train- day and night. He got sooo excited and wanted to see it. He would run up to me and tell me and we would go to the crest of the hill and look at it and talk about how many colors the train was.
• Sergio gave so much attention to the dogs. Shared love, kiss', hugs, and food.

-Sofia-

• Sofia had some crying fits for her mommy. But it was so cute!
• Sofia rolled over her mommy and fell off the bed in the middle of the night.
• Sofia needed the light on all night to sleep and Don could hear it. hahaha
• Sofia oriented herself to the house pretty well, especially when it came to finding Millie.
• Sofia cried almost all the way down the mountain. But she looked soo cute with her red face and bonnet hat.
• Sofia liked swinging in the hammock and listening to the wind chimes.

---------->I had a great time with my family! Thanks to everyone! :D ~Sonia