You Know It Is Time When…

…your dog mounts your youngest daughter and her tutu.

Fonzie’s appointment is Monday.  Sorry Fonz, but you brought this on yourself.  Keep him in your thoughts…

Snip.

Camping is Therapy

I have discovered something about camping.  It is therapeutic.  It is a lot of work, setting up and breaking down, as well as keeping our plot of dirt “clean” and somewhat tidy.  It is busy with two little ones constantly on the go.  Miles in the wagon, endless trips to the bathroom, constantly wiping sand out of bottoms, scoping out potential sites, cooking over a mini grill, keeping Delaney out of the road, and keeping the fire alive.  Whew!  However, as I sit here and write this, I already miss it.

It is because we are together.  Working together to create special memories.  TV becomes the last resort for fun, and time together talking, laughing, and lounging reconnects us.  No computer.  No phonecalls (unless family needed us).  No schedules.  Just us.

We really needed this.  Our family finds itself facing what many others do…some element of disconnect.  Busy lives, chores, distractions cause us to lose track of what is most important – time together.  Valuable time.  Communicating.  That is why I feel camping is therapy.  We have to work together to keep things running smoothly.  We are a team, and we are finding things to do together that doesn’t involve SpongeBob, Facebook and text messaging.  Now, that is a vacation.

We just returned from Port Cresent this week.  What a great campground.  We loved it.  Here are some photos of our trip.

Our campsite, complete with my Dad's old awning lights (complete with dead bugs from the 1970's).

We took the girls for pony rides in Port Austin. They loved it!

The girls playing at our site. They love their little treasures!

Getting ready for one of our MANY wagon rides through the park.

Kenzie on the beach.

Laney before our hike.

Laney loves Superman!

Playing Kooky Golf

Tiring out the kids!

Yep, she fell asleep standing up!

I Want Daddy!

One of the hardest things, as a parent, is when your child is sick.  On our way up north, Mackenzie ended up throwing up on the way and spiking a fever the whole first night.  As promised, I never left her side.  I held back her hair when she got sick, I put a cold compress on her head to cool her down, and I held her close without a single fear of getting what she had.  She woke up the next morning with the fever gone and feeling much better.  You could tell she appreciated me fulfilling the promise to stay with her.  After all, that is what moms do (well, most do anyway).

Then Delaney got sick.  Her poor mouth filled up with sores and she screamed in pain.  She wouldn’t sleep, wouldn’t eat and cried non stop.  When I swooped in to play “Mommy Hero” once again, she simply screamed, “Daddy!  I want Daddy!”

Okay, so I get it.  She is at the age when she is fickle…going between the two of us.  I am happy she loves her daddy and wants him to comfort her (while I sleep).  However, there is that sinking, helpless feeling when your baby doesn’t want you.  I cannot wipe the tears or kiss her head or hold her while she drifts into much-needed sleep.  Nope, I get to force down the yucky medicine and make her irate.  I make her lay down to sleep, much to her dismay.  But, when she screams for someone to hold her close, I am not the one.

Now, you may say that there is a bright side…sleep and time to get things done.  I know Todd looks at me like, “Can’t you do some of this?”  When I try, the screams and swats begin (oh, the swatting!).  I look at Todd and shrug, and he is  doing all the soothing.  While I know he loves that Laney worships him right now, I know he really wants a break.  He looks to me like I am doing nothing while she cries (well, okay…maybe I am blogging while he is on duty right now, but she DOESN’T want me!).  I would happily change spots with him right now, if Laney would let me.

I know in the morning, she will feel better.  I know that she will continue to whine to get Dad to do whatever she wants (she has mastered this) until he catches on that she is much better.  However, until then, I feel left out.  I know when I am sick, I really want my Mom, so I expect my kids to want the same.

I guess this will not be the last time my girls go to their Dad instead of me for something.  But, I can’t help but feel a little bummed that I am not who she wants.  The bright side?  At least my girls have two parents who love them and can go to either of us.  I have a partner in this, and I know my time will come.

Mackinac Island 2009

We just returned from another trip to Higgins Lake.  However, we decided to take an overnight trip to Mackinac Island too.  It was Delaney’s first time, and it was the first time we stayed the night there.  We trekked all over the island with the girls in their strollers.  We enjoyed looking at the beautiful homes there and the kids loved the horses (and Mackenzie patrolled the streets…making sure we didn’t step in manure).  Delaney, despite getting sick and not sleeping at all that night, enjoyed herself too.  Here are some photo highlights of our day…

Eating lunch at the Pink Pony

The girls inside the Butterfly House.

From the top of Fort Mackinac.

Delaney playing at the Fort.

Keeping Laney entertained at lunch.

Daddy and his girls.

Kenzie at Fort Mackinac.

Playing at the Fort.

Playing at the school.

UP and a Five Year Old’s Wisdom

I have added one to my collection of all-time favorite movies today.  I have to admit, when I saw the preview for UP, I was not impressed.  However, I had read the reviews and heard others talk about it.  Today, my mom and I took Mackenzie and her cousins to the show.  I walked out charmed and inspired.

I don’t want to give up any of the details of this story because I do not want to ruin the experience for any of you who decide to see this, however, I have to share a comment made by my nephew, who is five.  During a pivotal part of the movie, and I won’t tell you about this either, he simply looked up at my mom with tears in his eyes and simply said, “Sometimes you just have to let things go.“

If you have seen the movie, or after you watch it, you will know exactly what he is referring to, and you will quickly realize how profound his statement truly is.

Disney should be proud of this one.  While my mom and I are dabbing our eyes and finding ourselves deeply moved by this story, my young nephew also got the message.  A sure sign of a masterpiece, as is touches everyone.

It is one for the ages…and I recommend it to EVERYONE…young and old.

Stars & Stripes 09

This year, Ms. D and her girls joined us for the Stars & Stripes Festival and fireworks.  We had a great time!

The girls are getting so big!

Riding the carousel.

Beautiful fireworks this year!

Mackenzie went down the big slide all by herself this year.  Twice.  We love festivals in the summer.  One down, many to go!

Civic Duty?

I knew it was coming.  I had received a questionnaire in late April.  The subpoena came in late May.  I had to report to jury duty.  I had to perform my “civic duty” for a system I simply do not believe in.  It burned me once, and I will never forget – or forgive – it.

I reported on time.  Anxious and desperately hoping to be dismissed right away.  I spent my morning talking with a nice older man, with whom I was certain would never be picked for duty, as it was apparent he had a cognitive disability (but proud to be there, nonetheless).  He was sweet and nice to talk to, as I had really nothing  better to do.  Around 10:00am, a large group called got in.  Later, I found out, they were selected to serve on a grand jury for murder.  Whew!  Dodged that one.

Later in the afternoon, another group was called up.  As they read off 20 random numbers, I was relieved mine was not called.  However, instead of reporting to a courtroom, they were promptly dismissed with their paperwork.  Luckily, ten minutes later, my number was called with another large group, and I was handed my walking papers.  Relieved.  I did not want to have to tell a lawyer that I believe our system, the jury system, sucks.

Why do I feel this way?  Well, I was a defendent in a case.  I was accused of operating a vehicle while impaired in 2000.  Not drunk driving, but an alcohol-related driving offense nonetheless.  One that would stay on my record for my entire life if I did not fight it. I didn’t fight it to just get it off my record, I fought it because I was simply not guilty of what I was being accused of.

I was pulled over one night while driving home from visiting with a friend at a local bar.  I had less than two beers in nearly five hours.  I was perfectly fine to drive.  I would have driven any one of my family members that night, that is how fine I was.  However, my eyes were burning from the smoke in the room and I was tired.  The cop, who I later found out liked to sit outside that bar nearly every night, made up a weak reason to pull me over.  He questioned my eyes and gave me sobriety tests.  I know I passed them.  His report stated I reversed two numbers, but on the side of the road that night, he said I did fine.  I thought he was driving me to the station to call for a ride home.  I had no handcuffs on.  I was not read any rights.  I was allowed to make cell phone calls from the backseat.  I didn’t know I was under arrest until I was being fingerprinted.  I heard another cop at the station say to another, “Why is she here?  Why didn’t he just take her home if he was worried?  She has no business being here.”   All things that made my lawyer feel strongly that I was just a victim of an overzealous cop and a new, stricter drinking and driving law.

Long story short…bad timing (a judge retired and a new one, dreadfully afraid of MAD harassing him for dismissing alcohol cases) made it difficult for me to get this dismissed.  My lawyer, who happens to be quite well-known, believed so strongly in my case, eventually reduced his charges to me (although my defense still cost me thousands of dollars), because he felt I was being unfairly treated.

When the new judge refused to throw away my charge (due to political reasons), I had no choice to go in front of a jury.  I lost.  Honestly, the case was weak.  There was no breathalyzer tests admitted (they had been tossed out because of the cop’s questionable way he handled mine).  Honestly, these people likely felt that  a day of jury duty would be wasted if they didn’t find someone guilty…a common feeling inside the jury room I waited in on Wednesday.  Scary.

There is nothing worse than having random strangers judge you, and misjudge you.  The district judge was asked to reverse the decision.  He teetered, but ultimately refused (again, he later shared with my attorney that he simply couldn’t upset the groups that watch these types of cases so early in his tenure).  I lost my license for six months, lost some dignity, and lost faith in a system that failed me. I can remember, after the trial, turning to the prosecutor and the officer and saying, “You should be ashamed of yourselves.  You (to the officer) have no memory of me or that night.  You couldn’t even remember if I was alone in the car or with another person!  You sat up there and lied to make her (pointing to the prosecutor) case, so she can feel like she finally won one against the “big boys.”  You have no shame.  How could you?”  After that, my attorneys walked me out of the room.

One year later, a circuit judge reversed the verdict and dismissed my charge.  My record was immediately cleared.  In her written decision (the case was never heard, only a written appeal was submitted), she strongly admonished both the officer for violating my rights and pulling me over for no apparent reason, and the prosecutor who wasted tax payer money to pursue this case.  The district judge also received criticism for not throwing out the verdict immediately, as it was baseless and clearly the wrong decision.  I was vindicated.  I could hold my head up once again.  I still have that written decision by the circuit court judge.  I pulled it out and read it again yesterday, remembering one of the worst times in my life.

So, you may say that it would have made me a better juror…more diligent.  Nope.  I wanted no part of jury duty.  I know that I would have completely lost it with another juror if I felt they were being biased or looking for a guilty verdict for the sake of convicting someone.

As I walked out of the courthouse on Wednesday, I swear I saw the back of the bald head of the officer who arrested me.  The man that made two years of my life (yes, that is how long it took from beginning to end) so stressful.  I fought the urge to run up to him and ask him if he still is in the business of violating people’s rights.  Instead, I quietly got into my car and drove home…thankful that I was not asked to pretend to be proud of serving as a juror in a severely flawed system.

I realize that there are a lot of systems out there that are horrible.  I know that ours tries to be the fairest.  However, once you get burned, you are forever scarred and forever jaded.  I learned a lot about myself, our system, and the love and support of family and friends during this period in my life.  I have no shame in sharing what happened to me.  As a matter of fact, I will share this story with my children when they are older.  I just hope, for all of you believers in our system, that you never experience what I did not so very long ago.  There is nothing scarier than a system working against you and trying to make an example out of you.  It stays with you forever.

We Camped and Survived to Tell About It

We have returned from our first family camping trip.  It has been twenty years since I have slept in a pop-up camper with my parents and sister, and I was eager to “get back in the game.”  With the purchase of our new “light-weight” camper, we packed up and headed out for our first family adventure.  South Higgins Lake State Park, the campground I camped every summer of my first fifteen years, was our destination.  It did not disappoint.

Day One (Thursday):  Todd met me at Higgins Lake (as I was already up there at my parents’ cottage).  We set up camp after switching sites (for one with more shade and space).  We were a bit bummed, as we did not have all of our equipment (our awning, fan-lights and privacy curtains were late).  However, we managed to get everything up and the girls giggled with excitement when they joined us at our site.  We enjoyed a campfire and turned in early.  However, I got that nostalgic feeling, as I felt as if I had returned to a special place with special memories.  Only this time, I was the parent sharing this with my own kids.  So far, so good.

Day Two (Friday):  It was a bit chilly and overcast as we embarked on our first full day.  Since we were not completely set up (many things were still in bins), we decided to load the kids up in our wagon and head up to the local IGA for coffee.  Awesome.  We spent the day taking walks and having the kids play.  Kenzie was so into it all, while Laney was a bit off schedule and did not nap well.  She was a bit cranky from being sick earlier in the week.  So, she was a bit of a struggle.

FRIDAY NIGHT:  Around 3:00am, the rain hit.  Hard.  It was a torrential downpour for over an hour and a half.  The girls slept through it.  Around 6:30am, Todd informed me that there was some leaking in the camper.  Disheartened, I left to email the company and our dealership to inform them that we were not as “watertight as we should be.”  We didn’t get soaked or anything like that, but the seams need attention and a good sealing to keep us completely dry.  I was upset, but it will be remedied.  Professionally seam-sealed this week…

Day 3 (Saturday):  Soggy start.  Many campers in tents trying to dry out.  SO GLAD to be in our camper off the ground.  However, it was that muggy, icky feeling I despise.  With a promise of sun later on, we trekked up to IGA for our coffee and headed to the middle of the campground to meet Smokey the Bear.  Later, we had to head out to the store for medicine for Laney (poor thing had a sore mouth and needed relief).  We also visited my parents to get away from the soggy site.  Laney was grumpy, and we were all a little uncomfortable.  Laney, still out of her routine, was still cranky.  I was feeling stressed that things seemed to be going South…then the sun came out.  We headed back, got our suits on, and enjoyed a day at the beach.  When we returned, things were dried out (thanks to a breezy day).  Mom and Dad visited later for a campfire, and things were looking up.

Day 4 (Sunday):  An absolutely beautiful day.  We woke up, used our new grill to make pancakes for the girls (did I mention our first one didn’t work and we had to return it the day before?).  We took our morning walk and I later took Kenzie to the beach.  Picture perfect.  Laney finally took a good nap, we took Todd out for a Father’s Day dinner, and we ate ice cream.  We packed up (in good time, I must say) and drove home late.  Around 1:00am, we pulled in our driveway, already planning on what we would do differently the next time.

I loved it.  Even the times I felt grimy and sticky from the humidity.  Even when Laney screamed from being tired and cranky (knowing that as the kids get older, this will get even better).  Even when the seams leaked a bit and got me all stressed out.  Even when my Sunday morning shower was not so warm.  Even when my hair was frizzy and pulled back because I was too busy with my kids to do anything with myself.  I loved watching Mackenzie fall in love with camping.  I loved watching Todd stress out because the kids were fighting or Laney was throwing a fit.  I loved showing my family the special places I hung out when I was a kid camping with my parents.  And yes, I showed Mackenzie the special spot where my dad tied up his fishing boat (at the end of a private path next to one of our favorite campsites).  I remember sitting there as a little girl, when my dad was out fishing, and hiding there.  I would daydream of the day I would marry a great person and have kids and bring them here…just like my parents did for my sister and me.

Dreams do come true.  Even if they come with few setbacks like torrential rain, cold showers and cranky kids (and sometimes hubby).  All in all, we are campers now…I have the dirty laundry to prove it.

Getting ready for one of our many wagon rides.

The girls hanging out at the play structure.

Laney, Daddy and Fonzie check out the beach.

Hanging out with Smokey the Bear.

Delaney loved the beach.

Taking time for a snack and some coloring.

Taking a break for a movie in the camper.

Mackenzie hits the beach.

Delaney swinging happily.

Good times.  Looking forward to more.  A successful trip, yet exhausting.  The day will come when the kids head out to hang out with new friends, and Todd and I will look back and laugh at the craziness of camping with our girls early on.

Happy 4th Birthday, Mackenzie (belated)

This is late, only because we were gone on a vacation on Mackenzie’s birthday.  My baby is four.  Unbelievable.  She is growing into an incredible human being.  She is smart, kind and beautiful (inside and out).  She loves to sing and dance, loves her family and loves to learn new things.

At four, she is so much fun to be around.  She is thoughtful, insightful and reflective.  She makes friends easily and loves to spend time with them.  She is an easy child.  She is easy to make happy and easy to love.

Happy birthday, Mackenzie Rae.  You are loved.

My Daddy Loves Me…How do I Know?

He buys us a crapper.  Yep, that’s right.  Just before heading in for oral surgery, my father made the trek all the way to General RV to purchase the perfect porta-potty for our upcoming camping excursions.  He left it, all shiny and shrink-wrapped, just for our arrival.  Complete with the special toilet paper.

Remembering how his girls had to pee frequently at night when we camped as a family,  he wanted to be sure to pass the disgusting, thankless task honor of cleaning out his children’s waste on to his beloved son-in-law.  He wants Todd to have the COMPLETE camping experience.

He did it with a smile today, as he made our saleswoman keep it in her office all day, with a bright orange SOLD sticker on it.   He, of course, got to his dental appointment on time…giddy from his antics and the nitrous oxide.

Our camper is simple…no frills.  But now, we have a top-of-the-line portable potty for the kids…and let’s be honest, I am not walking all the way to the bathrooms late at night either.

My dad loves me, and I will think of him whenever…well, you know.  Thanks, Dad!