Template 113
10 years ago
I know I'm supposed to be blogging about our trip, but I have a more pressing matter that needs to be taken care of. You know what today is? It's the one week anniversary of the Father's Day where Reas totally got shafted. And I'm having guilt. On my own behalf I will say that we had been home from our 2 1/2 week long trip for about 12 hours and so I was completely unprepared, but a more organized woman than I would've planned ahead. Honey, what I really wish we could've done for you was to surprise you with the biggest, shiniest, most beautiful F250 sitting in the drive - I'd even put a big bow on the hood, a fully landscaped backyard with a tropical secret hideout tucked away in the corner, season tickets to the Dodger's complete with all you can eat dodger dogs and air transport to every game, a week long cruise for just us, and lots and lots of steaks. You deserve it all. Wait. I'm taking back the Dodger Dogs - I like you alive.
Instead, he got a fancy bowl of Grape Nuts for breakfast (nope. Not even Coco Puffs) and a meager rendition of "Happy Father's Day to You" which really turned out to be a morning voice solo on my part because the kids got embarrassed. Then, later that morning when I went to use the garbage disposal and all I got was THAT SOUND and dirty water and other unidentifiable things filling up the sink, Reas happily went to work disappearing into the cabinet. Shortly later he resurfaced holding two paint brushes and covered in pipe crud. Yes, paintbrushes. Only in my house will you find paintbrushes down the garbage disposal. Um, Happy Father's Day, babe. THEN, he bathed the kids for church because I was freaking out about finishing some stuff I needed to get done for church that day. Again, Happy Father's Day. And he didn't mind! He was happy. Even the paintbrushes didn't get to him, although he did clearly make the announcement, "No more paintbrushes down the drain!" So off to church we went, where thankfully all the men were given lovely king size candy bars. Does that make up for a slacker of a wife?
But wait! For dinner, I had a rack of ribs to be cooked up. That's good, right? That's got to score some Father's Day points. Except for that Reas ended up cooking them. Yes, HE MADE HIS OWN FATHER'S DAY DINNER. Sorry girlfriend. No points for you. Then, get this. I was asking him what kind of yummy side dishes he would like to go with the ribs because I really wanted to do SOMETHING and he said, "Oh... whatever is fine. Don't spend a lot of time on it. I'd rather have you in here sitting with us than making you spend all your time in the kitchen." Ahhh, melt my heart. So he got a salad and some mashed potatos. Good yes, but probably not Father's Day good.
We love you, Reas! You take care of us. You work so hard at work to provide a comfortable and safe home for our family. You work so hard at school. You take time for the kids and for me even when you're tired. You're a wonderful teacher and show our children how to live through your actions. You let the kids play daddy mountain all over you. You throw pitches to Ty when I give you that look of desperation that says "I've been doing this ALL day." You always give a quick kiss to Lily after buckling her in. ALWAYS. You've done that with all of them. I don't even think you know you do it, but it's the sweetest. If you have to slam on the brakes you always throw your arm out in front of me. It's the little things. We know you love us. You have an unwavering testimony of the gospel and you teach it to our children. Thank you for loving us and for being the best daddy and husband.
And thank you for not needing all that commercialized Father's Day stuff. (I'll do better next year. Maybe you'll even get a tie.)
Ay caramba. Do you know what's almost as bad as having nothing to blog about? TOO MUCH TO BLOG ABOUT! A 15 day road trip is a little overwhelming to think about all at once. So, it's going to come to you in bits and pieces. We had a great time! And even the long LOOOOONG drive wasn't so bad.
After 68 hours of total driving time, over 3800 miles, and 427 pictures later, we're still a happy family. Quite an accomplishment, I think.
I saw a little of this:
A lot of this:
And thankfully, not TOO much of this (ohhhhh, she was MAD):
But when she was happy or sleeping I just couldn't get enough of these cheeks. They jiggled their way across Kansas and were pretty much the most exciting thing to see on that stretch of the road.
We were lucky enough to see lots and lots of these cute happy cousins playing together. All 14 grandkids from the Allen family:
And here we are on one of our many adventures:
Alright. Now's a good place to stop. Next time I'll share our very wet experience in Nauvoo. Good times, good times.
We survived the 12 hour drive to Denver.
We survived the 11 hour drive to Kansas City.
We survived the 2 nights of pouring rain while camping in Nauvoo (in cabins thankfully).
And now we're taking one day at a time while vacationing with 14 kids under 10.
We're having a blast with family, and the kids are loving their cousins!
Come nightime our pillows look delightful.
Pictures and details to come later. I've got FUN to do.
Every now and then telemarketers can be rather fun to talk to. There are some that just make me think, "Huh. Is this guy for real?" I got to talk to one of those kind today.
Telemarketer Man: Hi Mrs. Allen. I am calling because you are having computer problems - your computer is running slow.
Me: (confused) Um...actually our computer is fine. We're not having any problems. Did my husband call you?
Telemarketer Man: No, no one called, but your computer is not fine. I sense hesitation in your voice. You tell me it is fine, but I can feel that you are unsure that it is working properly.
Me: (laughing out loud because I can't hold it in any longer)If I sound unsure it's because I'm wondering how you got my phone number and how you seem to know that my computer is slow. I'm pretty sure I don't need your help, but thank you.
Telemarketer: Your computer has a virus that is causing it to be slow. You need help.
Me: (Who am I talking to, Dr. Phil?) My husband takes good care of our computer and he can handle it, but thanks.
Telemarketer: I hear the uncertainty in your voice, but ok. Have a nice day.
Of course, they ALWAYS end with have a nice day.
Love it.
This call made my day. Really it did.
I'll be the first to admit that rules are neccessary, especially in a house full of littles. BUT desperate times call for desperate measures and...we're desperate. Summer is in full swing here in lovely, luscious Las Vegas which means it's hotter than hot and outdoor play time has suddenly become not so pleasant . Cooped up kids leads to restlessness which leads to trouble. So when I heard a little ruckus coming from the other room I went in there to investigate.
Maggie at the pitcher's mound:
Ty up to bat:
Ty squeezing through 2nd base:
"A Book of Love Poetry" as 3rd base:
Ty reassured me -
"Don't worry, Mom. We're just stepping next to the book."
And all this was taking place in about a 10'X12' area marked out by my living room rug. The kids call it "baby baseball." Actually I couldn't stop laughing watching them running in teeny tiny baby steps around the "bases."
Whoever said "no balls in the house" surely never spent a summer in Vegas with kids.
So, since I'm head umpire around here... all I have to say is : "PLAY BALL!...and please bring me a nice steam cleaner for my creamy white rug turned baseball diamond."
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