While we embarked upon our first road trip as a family of four, we cancelled another. It didn't take us very long to realize that our trip to Disney in December just wouldn't be as "magical" with all the stress that comes along with long road trips with two little ones.
But the boys did great overall. Jackson slept almost the entire car ride there and back. When we had to stop to feed and burp him, he guzzled down his bottles instead of taking his time, like he usually does. Jimmy decided he didn't want to sleep in a car seat, so he played peek-a-boo with me in the back seat for hours and then propped his chubby little feet up on the arm rests and watched the new scenery pass him by. I figured his lack of sleep would cause him to be unmanageable once we reached Tulsa, but instead, he was charming. Friday evening we were greeted by the entire Swanson family with a cookout. Catching up with them, some of which we haven't seen in years and years, was refreshing and wonderful. Being with the Swanson family is like being at home, and my kids picked up on that immediately.
Jimmy and Jackson were a hit. Jimmy was smiling, laughing and dancing for everyone. He wasn't shy about asking people to share their food, either. He showed them how far his vocabulary spans and even added new words to it while we were there, loving John Swanson so much he would repeatedly say his name. Rachel and David were kind enough to open their apartment to our crazy mess of a family and were gracious, loving hosts. Driving away made me long to live close to them again.
God knew I needed this weekend. I was stressed and overworked going into it but left feeling a sense of renewal and happiness. My stomach hurt from the countless laughs and I have so many memories to store away and look back on. It doesn't do the weekend justice to blog about each and every new inside joke or new experience. Just know, it was a weekend that I haven't had in a LONG time. My kids were treated with the same love and respect they get from their immediate family. I was also given some much needed time away from chasing after them when each and every one of the Swansons stepped in to help.
And it was an honor to throw a bridal shower for my best friend. It has been such a joy to watch her plan her wedding and fall even more in love with David. Sharing their big day with them in August will be a remarkable experience.
Many thanks to the Swansons for opening their hearts and homes to us this past weekend! We all miss you tons!
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