Road Trip

We had our first real Road Trip as a Party of Five this past weekend. Some very dear friends invited us up to spend the weekend with them in Greensboro, and for some reason, the planets aligned, the atmospheric pressure was right, and our calendar was clear – so we were actually able to go!

We left Friday – I had a meeting Friday morning with one of our clients in North Carolina – so we packed up the car and while I facilitated our task force meeting – Deonne explored one of the local parks (and let the kids expel some of their cooped up energy.) Following my meeting, we had lunch, then hit the road for Greensboro – arriving around 3:00 in the afternoon – plenty of time for the kids to run around, play, and squeal with delight.

One of the best things about getting together with them (aside from the friendship and fellowship and laughs that always ensue when the four of us adults gather) is the fact that all five of our kids play so well together. Of course there were the few time outs and reminders to share – but overall, the kids got along well, and were sad to see the weekend end when we piled up in our van to go home. It's so nice to be able to talk and visit as adults, while knowing the kids are having a great time as well.

A highlight of the trip was the "Curious George Live" show we saw at the Greensboro Coliseum. Logan had snagged seats in one of the corporate boxes – a set of four seats for each of the two showings (morning and afternoon) so we split up the kids – Daddies and younger kids in the morning – Mommies and older kids in the afternoon – and had the pleasure of seeing Curious George come to life right before our very eyes! I didn't get to see the show with James – but I hear from a reliable source that he was thrilled to see his favorite character on stage. Anna loved it as well – although she was so tired from playing so hard all weekend that by the time Saturday afternoon rolled around, she was pretty pooped.

It was such a fun trip – tiring, yes, when chasing around five kids – but so good to see such dear friends. I hate that we don't live closer – so it wouldn't be so long between visits – the kids do as well – as I type this from the backseat of the van on our way home – James has repeatedly asked when we get to go back again. (And we're only about 30 minutes out from Greensboro.) J

Deonne and I needed this trip – a welcomed break from our day-to-day lives as a family of five – a chance to ground ourselves with some of the most down-to-earth people we know – a chance to be together and have adult conversation.

We are blessed.

Logan and Brian – you guys ROCK! Thank you for welcoming us into your home and hearts – for treating us like family – and loving us – through our ups and downs. We can't WAIT to see you soon!

(Pictures will be added soon – once I've had a chance to locate the camera from the pile of items that were deposited on the dining room table when we unloaded the van..)