Notes on a Vacation

So. It's that time.

Vacation. Car Trip. Sweet Home Alabama.

This is one of those things that I get mixed feelings about. I love going home to visit. Love heading back to the south [Yes. We live in Florida, which geographically is farther south than Alabama...but it's a whole different kind of southern.] to see the fields and dirt roads. Things are slower and more laid back than they are here. And it's a nice break.

But with that break comes immense, multiple headaches. And arguements. Usually lots of arguements. Where we are going to stay, who is going to get to see us on what day, when we are coming to visit so-and-so. Such a pain. Easily the LEAST anticpated part of our trip.

Us living 6 hours away [which, to us isn't that far. We would go visit more often if Josh's job would let us] no one feels like they get the adequate amount of time with Noah us. And it always starts before we even get there. The phone calls, the questions, the implications. "We wanted to see ya'll --insert day here--," "Well we were going to go --insert event here-- and wanted ya'll to come." It never ends. "Well, you know I/we want ya'll to stay here as much as you can. You know I/we don't mind." Ugh. I hate the guilt trips. The whole thing. Making me and Josh feel bad about not spending time with someone.

We try to divide it out. Really. We try really, really hard. For example, this time, Noah has been with my parents for 9 days. They've gotten him all to themselves for 9 days. Josh's mom had him for 3, and Josh's dady hasn't seen him at all yet. So, we are going to have to incorporate more time with Josh's family than with mine. Seems fair, right? Wrong. No matter who gets the most time...if things were reversed and Josh's mom had had him for 9 days...it still results in hurt feelings and frustration on everyone's behalf. No one feels like we do it fairly. H.E.A.D.A.C.H.E.

This time, there are other things to take into account as far as time occupancy goes. This time there are 3...yes, I said 3 birthday parties to attend. One hosted by my parents, one by Josh's mom & her family, and one by Josh's dad & his family. There is a fair...big, huge event back home. A week long carnival with tons and tons of food, rides, games, crafts, & cattle [Again. This is Alabama folks. Want to know what fair I'm talking about? Click here.] There is Halloween. Which means Noah's first trip Trick-or-Treating. Which means listening to all the grandparents whine because they want us to trick-or-treat with them. There is the fact that Noah's trying to walk now. Which is going to result in all the grandparents wanting us there with them so they can witness the first steps.

I think I'll take my extra large bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol NOW please. Maybe I can medicate myself enough before we get there to keep myself from going crazy.

I get frustrated. [Can you tell?] But I'm glad that they all want to see Noah us. I'm glad they all want to make up for the time that they miss since we are so seperated. I just wish everyone was a little more relaxed about it and a lot more laid back so that we didn't feel like we were being pulled in a million different directions and made to feel guilty when someone gets their feelings hurt.

Anywho. Getting around to it today. Josh is supposed to get off at 3:30, which will put him getting home about 4:00, which will put us leaving about 4:30, which will have us home at around 10:00 [depending on traffic and the status of the police officers that we encounter on the way home.] We make really good time. We don't stop a lot. We fill the car up when we leave, stop about 3 hours into the trip to eat and fill up again and that's it. We probably wouldn't stop at all if we could make it home on one tank of gas. Josh hates to stop.

Wish us luck.Keep us in your prayers. Good Lord knows we will need it. I'm going to try to keep you guys updated via twitter and some new posts from my little brother-in-laws computer while we are there. I have a post or two scheduled for while I'm gone so you won't go completley nuts without me. Hope you all have a fantastic week! See you when I get home!