Monday, January 24, 2011

On The Road Again


We've spent the last three weeks on the road. The Engineer had work in Atlanta and Augusta and we got to tag along. It has been fun and overwhelming, both a respite and incredibly exhausting. And once again, I am reminded that I can call anyplace "home" as long as my family is there.


The first week was spent in Atlanta. The Grands graciously kept all three little ones,  in honor of our ninth anniversary. It was wonderful.

Of course, The Engineer worked all day. I contemplated filling my days with activities and visits, but this mama body and heart needed a little peace and quiet, so I stayed tucked into our hotel room, alone, and it was wonderful. We stayed in the third largest Marriott in the world. With 47 floors, it was rather impressive.


I read and read and read and spent an hour each day in the gym. I wrote thank you notes. I did a little sewing. I ate instant grits for breakfast, tuna and pb crackers and twizzlers for lunch, and wined and dined with The Engineer by night. It was incredibly relaxing. It was wonderful.


The elevators reminded me of the glass elevator in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Engineer and I, on several occasions, joined hands and stood in the middle of the elevator while we rode all the way to the top, and then all the way back down. It was a rush. Especially to quickly drop all 47 stories in one fell swoop. Ahh...the sensation of weightlessness.

We made a stop by IKEA and feasted on cinnamon rolls, just because, and we spent Saturday afternoon at Scotts. It. Was. Amazing. I could have spent days there! So fun. So cool. We saw some really beautiful things. And met some really neat people. And one day when we are in a spot to purchase dining room chairs, I am going to Scotts.


And then we nabbed the kiddos and headed for Augusta just in time for the great snow/ice storm. Monday morning found everyone in the hotel "iced-in." Staff included. Dinner in the hotel restaurant was cozy and packed, and with only three servers, we waited a little over an hour and half for food - and we were the fourth table to be seated. People served their own drinks...there was a bit of a community bond forming.


We spent part of the morning outside exploring. Some of us weren't quite as fond of the snow as others...




Post snow and ice play, we returned to the room for a little school. And it hit me like a ton of bricks, this is just one of the precious benefits of homeschooling. I am so thankful. So thankful we could travel with the Engineer. I can't imagine being apart for three weeks.


And when I glance over at the sofa and see my babies lined up and Little Bit copying Sister, my heart sighs with contentment. 

12 comments:

  1. How wonderful!! I hope you know I am living vicariously through your stories!!They always make my mundane Mondays seems so...Monday. Happy late anniversary..SUPER enjoyed reading your beautiful, sweet love story! Glad you had a wonderful, safe trip..and glad you shared it with us. Now, back to my regularly scheduled, DHR Monday...lol!

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  2. Your little retreat in your hotel sounds wonderfully relaxing. To me, there is nothing more enjoyable than a hotel room. So glad you got some much needed rest!

    Happy 9th anniversary!

    What a blessing the travel with the engineer! Three weeks would be way too long without him.

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  3. Happy Anniversary!

    Any time you are in the ATL let me know and I'll visit with you.

    Love you all and love the Card!

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  4. How nice that you were able to get away. My Mom was a SAHM and my Dad owned his own company so we were able to travel with him and make vacations out of it if I wasn't in school. I was just in Ikea about a week ago. We live about 1 1/2 hrs from Atlanta and I have never heard of Scotts. I am going to have to check it out!

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  5. What a wonderful time it sounds like you had. Isn't nice to be able to school wherever you like?

    I'm glad you got some time with your hubby, too! Isn't it wonderful for just a short time to just have a little time to yourself? It doesn't have to be a lot, just a little and it is like taking a great big deep breath of fresh air. It sustains you!

    I loved your comments on Jessica's skating! I can't wait to show her!

    Love,
    Stacie

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  6. I loved this post- especially since we are on our way to Boca Raton with Rod for a meeting he has! We are about to surprise the kids with an unplanned stop at Downtown Disney to stretch our legs! We brought a few books so we can do a little school- a HUGE blessing of homeschool! Glad you had some good trips- hope we will too, but no snow:). It's 73 degrees!

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  7. The Lord has truly given you the gift of patience! I don't think I could have made it two weeks in a hotel room with my three.... you are a saint!

    So glad to have y'all back!!!!!

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  8. Thanks for the update Jenn. What cool photos of that amazing hotel! I always enjoy your photos. :) How wonderful that you were able to travel with your Engineer on business...that is a blessing. Happy 9th Anniversary!! Time does fly...soon you will be in double digits. :)

    And...WELCOME HOME!

    Much Love to you!
    Camille

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  9. Happy anniversary!! And Jenn! You were so close to me! We could have had lunch and met!!! Glad yall had fun!

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  10. I would've done exactly what you did at the Marriott! I'm so happy that you had that down time, that important quiet time!

    Oh your family adventures, I love reading about them. And your photos in this post are gorgeous; all of them.

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  11. Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you had a great time. And how wonderful for the kids to be able to travel with you and see the sites...that's an education in itself!

    I had to smile at the ice part. I will admit that those of us who live up here in the Frozen Tundra, as Garrison Keillor calls it, tend to get out regardless of ice and snow, but then again, we're used to it! I can't tell you the last time things around here were truly shut down.... But that's some Northern snobbery for you, I guess!

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  12. Happy Anniversary, indeed! And that top pic is entrancing!

    (ps-I barely recognize Little Man with his big man haircut!)

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