It was fun to be back in Huntsville; it has been 3 1 /2 years for me. It still feels like home. Almost nothing new has come, and nothing has left. All is almost exactly the same--except the traffic. Horrible!!! While Michael raced slot cars, I watched D spend most of his time in the sandbox playing with Thomas (the train) and Mack (the middle Norton child). E was great the first day, and a bit fussy thereafter in HSV--no swing to catnap in. Friday, I visited with two dear friends.
Saturday We had the annual cook-out at the Nortons, then I got the opportunity to visit with old church friends at Chick-fil-A. Then, I swung by our old house.
Michael raced all day Saturday and ended up with 2nd place this year. Was that to avoid having to drink the Dale's Steak Sauce again this year (a tradition for the winner)?
Sunday we got to see many more couples at church and two great couple friends+all kiddos for lunch.
I also got to spend a bit more time with one of my dearest friends before we headed out of town. Unfortunately, her daughter had caught pink eye so our time together during the weekend was brief. We did enjoy the time with them in their "country house" though! (and D had a great time playing with Alexander!)
Our drive on Sunday afternoon took us straight through a part of the state that had been hit by heavy tornadoes last month. It was intense to see the devastation as complete forests were leveled or uprooted and some houses missing. The long drive (4 1/2 hours) took us to the state of Georgia and my parent's house in Columbus. The kids were decent although we did have a few moments of stress when E was crying, D was whining, it was dark outside, both cell phones were dead and we were a bit lost (in the middle of nowhere-back roads). Nice to pull into the driveway at 11 pm. (PS the first few pictures here were taken at a farm right outside of my friend's house--D loved the goat and turkey sounds).
We spent the next 3 1/2 days with my parents in their lovely new home. We each had our own room there, but D (after being spoiled and sleeping with us in AL) tried to crawl into our bed again one night. No go. We generally took it easy those days. One day involved a drive around the downtown and historic part of Columbus. We also got out to walk the river walk and view the old water mill. Another day was spent shopping with my mom (how I managed to get everything back into the carry-ons amazes me) while kids napped. D enjoyed the sprinkler with my mom for the first time. Michael helped my dad do some hard labor (especially in the 100+ degree heat). Not that relaxing (my almost-3 year old and 3 month old ensured that), but sooo nice to spend time with my parents and fantastic to be taken care of (no cooking, etc...)!
We flew out of Atlanta on Thursday and made sure to allow ourselves enough time to get to the airport, return the rental car, and get through security. Great. However, when we arrived, we discovered our flight had been cancelled and we could not get out for another 4 hours. This is where our parents' prayers came in. God graciously calmed both children (potential disaster). He provided a 10 or 11-year old boy to play with D, and the five hours passed smoothly despite further delay and having to carry all our luggage--2 rolling bags, one shoulder bag, a huge backpack, a large purse, a camera bag, a carrier, and a rolling carseat-- down the stairs and back up again to the waiting plane (the walkway having broken). The flight home was wonderful since both kids were exhausted by this point and slept well.
I know it was the many prayers that protected our family during this trip. Protection from potential tantrums, injury, pinkeye, and other disagreeableness. What a "vacation!"
