Let's See How Far We've Come

In the words of one of my favorite musicians (Rob Thomas)... Kevin, myself, and the fam set off this past weekend to relive a bit of our past, and see just in fact, "how far we've come."  Because this year is a year of no vacation (saving up for the big 3-0 and 10th anniversary trip next year), we decided to give ourselves some sense of a break and visit some incredible friends who we haven't seen in more than 4 years.  Or in terms of kids... in more than a combined 9 kids ago. 

Akron, Ohio was the destination.  The place where we first ventured to law school, where I got my first non-retail job, and where we met two couples who although are not neighbors, are lifetime friends who had a huge impact on us while we were there.  And still do today by phone and email. 

I have slowly come to love where we are now, the people that we interact with on a daily, and weekly basis, and even the job that Kevin has.  It provides, makes us crazy, but again, provides.  And for that we cannot ask for anything else.  But there comes a time when old friends just need to be seen rather than heard, when pictures of kids no longer suffice, and you just want to share a meal together, while actually sitting at the same table.  And that is exactly what we did.  We ate well, talked a ton, and couldn't believe how much we love these people who we count as some of our closest friends, and who we admire for everything they do. 

Apart from the socializing, we braved two nights in a semi-2 roomed hotel, (or "showtell" if you ask Callie).  And after calming three wild monkeys in new surroundings for about an hour per night, we actually got some good rest of our own.  Only next time we go on a non-vacation, vacation, I may splurge a bit more to have some cleaner rooms and some non-brown water out of the bath faucet.  But budget is budget, and it gave me a new appreciation for my own bathroom when I returned.  Bonus for Kevin.

Highlights of the weekend include, but are not limited to:
1. Seeing one of my best friends and her three adorable boys.  (A supermom)
2. Seeing another dear couple and their four boys (another Supermom).
3. Being encouraged that four kids, although crazy, is do-able, enjoyable, and survivable
4. Eating Bruggers Bagels - not sure why they don't come here
5. Getting a picture in front of the Star-bucks where I found out I was pregnant with Callie - What are you supposed to do on work lunch breaks?
6. Going to a Home Goods, because we doesn't have one
7. Stopping by Ashland, Ohio, and seeing that our first apartment was still standing, and looking beautiful
8. Showing the kids, who could have cared less, our College and it's campus.
9. Going to bed at 7:30 every night because that many kids is sheer exhaustion, but great sleep

And 10: Realizing that this life for us was not what we thought it was going to be, living in multiple places in Northeast Ohio, and now Indiana, but we have seen God's hand in every location.  Remembering when we moved to our 500 sq ft apartment in Akron, I locked myself in our bedroom, sobbing, refusing to come out, as our cat did the same.  And that now, driving back in, it was no longer bitter memories, but some of the best times of our young married life.  Because we have moved a few times, we are stronger than ever, have more friends in more locations than we could have ever dreamed, and are welcomed in many cities around the Midwest.  So our Rejuvenation Tour of 2011 (yes, we named it that), was well worth the drive, the price, and memories. 

The Richardson Boys and Mitchell Kids... we think they all just got done picking their noses here

Megan and Me. 

Akron Tourists?  You Bet.  My Bruggers Bagels and the lucky lunch break Starbucks