somewhere between here and there

On the way to Sherman, I had noted lots of magnificent bluebonnets on the side of the highway.  Mentally, I took notes where the best spots were.  On the way back, we stopped at one of those spots and took pictures on the side of the highway.  After returning to the car, we noticed another field that was even more vast and dazzling with its blue flowers.  We made another 5 minute stop and I attempted this year's photo shoot among our lovely state flowers.  The kids cooperated better than other years, but my camera lens did not.  I forgot to account for the difference in depth of field.  Many of my pictures turned out with one person blurry or just harsh due to lighting and my ignorance as to how to account for it.  However, there were a few sweet pictures that will suffice.  (and you can hardly tell that we were right alongside a major interstate!)

Wildflowers, giants, dandelions and water

We seized the opportunity over spring break to stay with my parents and visit my sister in North Texas.  What should have been an easy trip up turned into a trial before we even got started.  Two days before leaving, we discovered my car had issues that would prevent any driving.  Michael didn't have the time/tools to fix it himself.  We were so thankful that a friend at the local auto shop was willing to fix it for only a bit more than we could.  The only issue was how quickly he could get it done.  He so kindly had it done on Thursday morning so we could head out of town only about half a day late.  Unfortunately, we only made it about 10 minutes down the road before the youngest had to go to the bathroom again (she had gone right before we left).  We stopped and thus began our bathroom stops.  We did make an unscheduled stop at Sam Houston in Huntsville, TX just because it was a pretty day and we wanted to stretch our legs.  I had never seen him up close.  The kids posed for the camera, E picked some flowers for Gram (which she managed to keep partially alive the rest of the way--think LONGGGG way to my parents), and D played with the giant size chess set.  It was only about a 20 minute stop but it was nice.

That was about the last nice stop for the next many hours.  We hit traffic and road construction. The first time, Imaps did such a good job rerouting us around it, we mistakenly entrusted the rest of our trip to Imaps.  Around Corsicana, we hit more traffic issues.  We followed the detour only to find that the road  that they suggested we take was closed.  We tried another route.  Also closed to through traffic (cop pulled over someone right in front of us who attempted to bypass signs).  After driving through town for about 20 minutes, we had to turn around and backtrack the whole way we came.  Only good thing that came of this was that the traffic issue had resolved itself in the 35 minute scenic drive.

So, our late start and all the stops and detours pushed us up against rush hour in Dallas.  We bypassed most of it by taking a long route around the city into more traffic north of the city.  By now, the approximately 4.5 hour trip was on par to take 6 hours.  But we weren't done.  Nope.  Not in the least.  We got about 1 hour from my parent's house and A had had enough in the car.  Motion sickness set in with no warning.  She threw up several times everywhere.  God was gracious even then; we had just passed a Walmart on the access road.  We pulled over and I spent another 30 minutes cleaning her up somewhat and the car as much as possible.  It was a very tired crew that pulled in 7.5 hours after leaving our house in Houston.

We probably hardly needed to remind the girls to remain in their beds--everyone was so tired--but the thought of E coloring on the walls the last visit struck fear in my heart.  I forcefully told the girls (especially A) that I did not want them getting out of bed and running around--even in the morning until everyone else woke up.  Apparently, that was not a wise thing to emphasize.  The next morning, A stayed in bed until she couldn't handle it anymore and then tried to run to the attached bathroom (only to find it locked from the other side).  She then had an accident on the floor!  What a way to start out the trip.  Yes, a bit too reminiscent.  And this was only the third time my parents had ever hosted us with kids in tow (they lived in Saudi Arabia for most of our kids' earliest years)...

Fortunately, the rest of the trip went much more smoothly.  We enjoyed both time at my parents and time at Tia Anna's.  It is fun to be able to visit both families at once!  A new sensation for the Brown family.

The first afternoon we visited a local park.  A bit chilly still and super windy but good to get some wiggles out after a VERY long day in the car the day before.

That night, my sister came over with her clan to dine at my parent's house.  Jane had made the cake for dessert and since E never got a birthday cake two days earlier, we all sang happy birthday to E and dubbed it a birthday cake.

I requested a family photoshoot with my sister and talented photographer nephew.  It was largely unsuccessful but not due to their ability.  My sister finally called it quits after acknowledging that the parties in my family make hers look like little angels to photograph!  These photos will appear in a separate post, but here is a glimpse into that afternoon as seen through my lens.

Another afternoon, the kids ran around in my parents backyard while my mom doused them with the sprinkler.  D even effectively skipped the water rope.  We had considered it too cold to swim in the pool this trip.  However, as soon as I turned off the camera lens, the kids all drenched themselves in the freezing pool water while splashing on the tanning ledge in their clothes.

I requested much prayer for the return trip and it was so smooth on the way home.  The trip only took 5 hours (including a stop to take bluebonnet pictures--more on that later) and flew by even faster than the time indicated.  Overall, a sweet time with family.  The first bit of this trip is recorded here for kid's scrapbook posterity, but the latter half will be remembered fondly.