We traveled to Raleigh, NC. We had fun rambling through two bookstores, shopping a bit for Christmas, working for two more ancestors in the Raleigh Temple and finishing the evening off with a scrumptious meal at Chili's. While at the temple we enjoyed recharging our spiritual batteries, it's been a while since we've had the opportunity to enter that holy edifice.
If by chance I was missing my kids, which I really wasn't, we were reminded of them at 2am by a crying baby.....I was just glad that it wasn't mine to deal with.
We did enjoy sleeping in though!
The next morning, after an old-fashioned southern breakfast at Cracker Barrel, (mmmmm, blueberry pancakes,) we headed off for the BRC Center.
In May, Barry purchased online tickets for us to see Dave Ramsey --LIVE! Now we were finally on our way to this event.
Dave Ramsey is a personal finance consultant/radio talk show host. He often says that the advice that he gives is just like that you would hear from your grandmother, except he keeps his teeth in. He places a very high value on personal responsibility and integrity. We've been listening to his radio show for a few years now, and like what we hear. We wanted to see one of his live events. It was the boost we need.
Several years ago we started applying his "baby steps" plan in our lives but deployments, babies, medical bills and other such things, we found ourselves stalled. We were not going into great debt, or spending our money foolishly, we had just lost hope of building our savings and progressing into the future. This "live" event gave us back the "fire" for controlling our finances, and planning for our family's future. It was a lot of fun and very informative.
[B] This was a growing experience for my parents. The rose colored goggles that up to that point they had worn when dealing with our kids came off in a hurry. They were nice enough to keep watch over the kids while we were away. We left emergency notification numbers for "Fire" Rescue" but mostly for the police. Nothing was broken, no one went to jail. It was a successful trip. We have decided that for the next couple of weeks, it would be in our interest not to ask Mom and Dad to babysit, no need to push our luck.
In reality, Mom gets the last word in. There is no need to leave her a long list of rules, and things to do etc. That goes into the trash as soon as we pull out of the drive way. It is a controlled free for all. Most bedtimes and "health food" rules do not apply. Every grandmother worth her salt lets their grandchildren have ice cream for breakfast. Besides, she'll always walk away at the end of the day. After all, they are "OUR" kids.
[V] Liam probably had the hardest time. While I was packing for the trip he followed me around begging me to let him come with us. When he found that wasn't achieving the desired response he pulled out his three year old, authoritative voice and declared "Mommy, you don't go--and I mean it!"
Today, Sunday, we traveled to Pembroke for stake conference. The kids especially enjoyed Pres. Averitt's story about him as a 3rd grader being unjustly accused of cheating. In reality he just didn't get all the information about the assignment because he wasn't paying attention. He went on to talk about the importance of accepting ownership of our mistakes and not trying to blame others--that's if I heard it right, I was dealing with Liam, who by that time had had enough of sitting and being still for the day.
Afterwards, on our drive home, we stopped at a wayside for a picnic lunch.
We enjoyed the sunshine and I took the opportunity of them being dressed nicely to take some posed photos of them. I'll have to get one of Bri another time, she's dealing with a cold. Her eyes are weepy red and nose is yucky.
Just too cute, I had to put them both up. When Barry say them he asked "Is he naughty.....
or angelically nice?"
I'm so jealous. I'm glad you got some time away.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures. It's fun to each personality shining through. :)
Glad you all had a good time...though we missed seeing you. Miss Smiley didn't care if her nose was stuffy or not, she was happy the whole visit. Jonny had a good time playing a game with Ryan & Conner. Nicki got to play with Delaney, Liam, & Bri. I see Cailin did not disappear off the face of the earth, since she's in your pictures. (though she was not in sight while we were thre) Grandparents still seemed like they were enjoying themselves.
ReplyDeleteGlad you guys had a good time, love the pics of the kids.
ReplyDeleteThat is so great that you got some time together, just the two of you.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing at how Barry said that you left notification numbers for fire and rescue but mostly the police. So funny...and his mentioning that no one went to jail made me laugh, too.
Liam getting stern with you, Vicki and telling you not to go and he meant it was so cute, too. He is adorable. Sometimes you just have put your foot down with your mommy...or at least you have to try.