A few years ago, we went on a family hike (as described in this post). I pretty much vowed never to make the mistake again of "winging it" without a trail map (at least, not with babies/toddlers in tow).
Why, why, why...why didn't we remember? Or learn?
Ellis had an afternoon off recently. We were in the middle of a warm spell between snows, and we decided it was a great chance for a rare hike during the snowy winter we'd been having.
The hike that day started out pretty well, as usual. We were a little chilly (we forgot, again, how much colder it was on the top of the mountain), and I do distinctly remember one of us asking the other, "Do you remember the right path to take?" We were sure we remembered.
As we left the parking lot, a few guys arrived from the other side of the trail. They had a bit of an ominous look on their faces, and one guy said, "the footing isn't so good over there." I remember thinking, "Oh, good thing we aren't hiking over there." If I could go back in time and kick myself, I would.
We soon found ourselves squishing and squashing through a ton of mud. "This must be what those guys were talking about when they said the footing wasn't good," I said to Ellis. It was slow going trying to get through that mud, and Ellis was in his sandals, of course. If he could go back in time, he would kick himself too. Mac, of course, was loving every squishy, squashy step.
We eventually started getting to higher ground and the mud subsided. We sat down to eat our snacks and remarked about how glad we were that the worst was behind us. We were ready to finish the 2nd half of the loop and head home.
A while later we noticed the trail was beginning to get quite snowy. That was surprising. Then we came to to a fork in the trail. Yep. A fork in the trail. And you know where this story is going.
To the right, an uphill, yet much less snow-covered climb. To the left, a downhill, yet very snowy descent. It seemed natural to go downhill, so that's what we did. About 25 feet later, we realized we had not chosen wisely. We thought about turning back, but trying to get back up the slippery hill seemed impossible. So we continued on.
The snow was so thick and icy. Ellis was carrying Mac while I carried Davey and walked with Corrie, who was taking tiny, cautious little steps at a snail's pace. This was going to be a long, long, trip home. And the worst part was that we realized we had made the same mistake that we did three years ago, adding miles onto our hike.
Soon we were precariously balancing the kids between us as we tried to navigate the icy slope. I was grabbing onto any tree or vine I could reach to keep us connected to the mountain. For at least an hour, we struggled along the trail, one painful, slippery step at a time. Snow and ice filled our shoes (and sandals), but we really didn't care about that. What mattered was getting those precious kids safely home! We finally started hearing the sound of car engines, and we knew we would reach the road soon if we could just keep pressing on. When the trail cleared, my quads felt like jello after shuffling along in a squatting position for so long while carrying kids and trying to stay balanced on the ice.
We stepped out of the woods, and even though we knew we had a long hike up the road ahead, we were so relieved to be walking on solid ground. By now it was far past nap time and everyone was delirious. But we were thankful.
Mac walked between Ellis and I (Ellis carrying Corrie and me carrying Davey), connecting us all together by holding onto each of our hands. He walked over a mile with us that way, never complaining once. We realized what a big guy he was becoming.
Corrie was singing the whole time, making up her own songs and laughing at her lyrics, which would prompt Davey to sing along and laugh, too. The only thing Davey knows how to say is, "quack, quack, quack," so that was his contribution to the singing. Every once in a while, Ellis and I would glance at each other. Our tired eyes would meet, and we would exchange exhausted but grateful smiles.
Mac and I (and Davey on my back) stopped to take a rest and talk. I love that silly, sweet, passionate little heart of his.
Corrie loves riding on Daddy's back during our hikes. Even after a long afternoon, she was still all cute little smiles...just like her Daddy.
We eventually made it back to the minivan and gratefully piled inside. One more long, crazy hike to add to our list of family outings gone wrong. The kids were oblivious to the peril we had eluded, and were already asking what we were going to do next when we got home. Ellis and I looked at each other, and we knew we were both thinking the same thing: "Thank you Lord, for bringing us home!"
When we first moved to Front Royal, I tried going to the local library's "story time" with Mac and Corrie. It was an overwhelming experience for me in our new town. It seemed like all of the kids were perfectly behaved and quiet, while Mac was laughing and talking excitedly at all of the wrong times, and Corrie was crawling all over the place. I felt so many eyeballs staring at us! I felt like such an unwelcome stranger. At the end of the class, there was a craft activity which included a big tub of crayons sitting in the middle of the table. Mac dumped them and threw them everywhere while I tried to chase Corrie. I had pretty much decided never to return.
Fast forward three years to last Thursday. We had been enduring another round of sickness and winter weather keeping us indoors, and I had finally gotten the kids all packed up to go and visit some friends. Just as we were leaving, my friend sent me a text saying that her whole family was sick. "Awe man!" Here I was with a car full of kids, who were all whining, and nowhere to go. I just started praying and driving. "Where are we going Mommy?!," the kids asked. The only thing I could say was "I don't know guys. Let's see what God has for us today."
I just started driving through town. I got to a stoplight and prayed again, and then I remembered the library. "Well, I guess it's about time we give it another try!" We headed in and had fun picking out books and then headed over to a small children's play area. I was starving and Davey was super cranky. I was just starting to pack up the kids when we ran into a friend from church. She said story time was starting in 5 minutes. "Oh man. Story time?!" I had no idea that we had happened to come at just the right time and day for story time! I wasn't sure how Davey and I would make it, but it sounded like a really great time to try again for Mac and Corrie. We heard the bell ring to signal the start of story time, and we decided to go for it.
In short, Mac and Corrie LOVED it. I was so much more relaxed this time, and the other moms seemed so friendly, even with Davey being a little cranky. I was so thankful to God for how He blessed us and provided for us and for how He changed me. A lady at our church was the teacher and I enjoyed seeing her, too.
Today was story time day again, and we somehow miraculously made it out the door on time for our second week in a row. The theme today was "Toilet Paper Olympics." The kids listened to two books and sang songs.
I sat in the back with Davey, and Mac stole my heart. He would turn around and make eye contact with me at various moments that he thought were funny or cool. He would give me a huge smile and a "thumbs up." It was pretty sweet.
After the songs and stories, the toilet paper games began. The kids measured their height in toilet paper squares (even Davey joined in on that one...he's 8 squares tall), had a relay race, and then competed in the "Toilet Paper Shot Put." As a former PE teacher, I would have liked to have had a moment to teach Mac and Corrie the proper shot put form, but it was pretty cute and funny nonetheless!
God takes such good care of us.
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings."
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Another foot and a half of snow in the middle of March: Pure Madness! We are still having fun with it though. This time we put the kids to work cleaning off the cars...they did a pretty great job!
I love the view in this photo. (And the mountains look pretty nice too!)
Fudge pops are pretty exciting, but they are even sweeter than usual when we get to share them with Aunt Rachel! They are also pretty messy, but at least we got a bib on one kid in these pictures.
Corrie came walking down the hall this morning with the usual sleepy-eyed face and disheveled hair. However, this morning there was a new addition to her morning look.
I asked, "Corrie, did you draw on yourself with markers last night when you were supposed to be sleeping?!"
As she gestured authoritatively with her hand, she answered, "Yeah because, b-b-b-because...I wanted to make a cat face on my face."
This past Saturday morning we finally experienced the famed L'Dees Pancake House of Front Royal. The kids enjoyed the enormous sugar high. Thanks for treating us, Daddy!
(Photo Credit: MacArthur Johns)
And lastly, we got another round of snow yesterday. I was pulling the kids up and down the hill on the sled as the sun began to set. So beautiful!
Soon we were precariously balancing the kids between us as we tried to navigate the icy slope. I was grabbing onto any tree or vine I could reach to keep us connected to the mountain. For at least an hour, we struggled along the trail, one painful, slippery step at a time. Snow and ice filled our shoes (and sandals), but we really didn't care about that. What mattered was getting those precious kids safely home! We finally started hearing the sound of car engines, and we knew we would reach the road soon if we could just keep pressing on. When the trail cleared, my quads felt like jello after shuffling along in a squatting position for so long while carrying kids and trying to stay balanced on the ice. 
