Seeing the Family

Well, Lady's Road Trip was a success! Sort of. Ingrid and I headed out in the morning, with a bag of Tim Horton's bagels and donut holes. We listened to a mix cd I'd made that morning, Ingrid sat quietly and looked at all the pretty trees and sunshine, and we stopped a couple times to get out and stretch. She took a little nap, and then we got to our exit off the interstate, as the rest of the trip would be on small highways.

I have never driven this way to my mom's before. She lives in Fremont, where my aunt and grandma and countless relatives live or have lived. I've been going there since I was a baby, but I always came from the same way. This time was different--I was coming from the east side of the state and to be honest, I have no idea what's between here and Fremont anywhere off the interstate. I followed my mapquest directions to a T but somewhere along the line I got totally lost...My directions said to turn onto a street, which I did, but they failed to mention said street would curve around five times and change names. It was all farms and pure country, I had NO idea where the hell I was. Mom called and asked where I was and I almost started to cry. I don't know!!! Luckily she looked at a map and helped me find my way to a major road to make it to her house. I need a damn GPS...

But we made it, and Ingrid was so excited to see Gramma! We went over to my Grandma's house, where cousins, kids of cousins, and aunts and uncles were all hanging out. We had chili, stood around a bonfire, and the kids played. It was cold, but great to see everyone.

This is how big Ingrid was last time she was around the whole family.

She's bigger now.

Night time while traveling is always something I dread, but Ingrid surprised me and went to sleep right away. Then an hour later she woke up alone in a strange room and screamed like nobody's business. She got herself all worked up and I couldn't calm her down for an hour? Two? I don't know how long it was, but by the time she fell asleep laying across my neck, holding onto my sweater, I passed out, too. It was very draining. Then at 6:30 am who wakes up to "Mama? It's Mama! Hi, Mama!" and little hands pulling my hair, patting my face, and hugging my neck. Ahh, kids.

We had fun with Gramma for the morning, then headed home. Ingrid watched some Charlie and Lola on the travel dvd player and then fell asleep for the rest of the way home. I'm so glad to be back here, where I have Brendan's help. I am so lucky to have such a great husband!