Thursday 13 #13

Well, I've decided that rather than subject you all to another 5-day trip report, I'm just going to hit the highlights of our recent adventure in a Thursday 13 format. I know, I know, you're all going to be deprived of a description of every mile from here to Tucson and back; but you're just going to have to live with it.
(I know it's becoming protocol to do your "13th Thirteen" by listing the #1 from each of your first 13 lists-but I'd rather talk about my trip.)

So, here are my 13 favorite things about our trip:

1. Finding out how wonderfully mature my oldest daughter and son can be when they know I'm counting on them. They helped me get us packed and out of Albuquerque before the snow storm hit (and we beat a bad one). They were wonderful at keeping themselves entertained, helping with the smaller girls, and only rarely asking "are we there yet?" (Though the question was more often "Is this the desert?") Of course, they regressed the minute Dave stepped across the threshold of Anne's house on Saturday night, but at least I know they've got it in them.

2. Knowing that I can take such a long road trip without Dave-I am woman, see me drive by myself with four kids. Yay me!

3. Getting to see Anne's house and my Aunt Kathy's house for the first time. (Anne, I posted tons of pictures recently on Flickr, and you are so going with me to Kathy's house on the next trip.)

4. Watching all of Anne's nieces and nephews I met on the October trip get to play with my kids while sitting around watching it with Anne, her siblings, and the spouses and reminiscing about all the things we used to do as kids. It was especially nice seeing Tristan have so many boys his own age to play with-it's usually Natalie that has all the cousins her age.

5. Driving a vehicle into the mountains that was actually made to handle such a drive. (And the XM Radio was fun too, even if it was mostly tuned to Radio Disney.) I think the coolest moment happened about 40 miles from the Arizona border. As I drove there was sleet falling on the windshield. I wasn't afraid of it because it was too warm to freeze, and it was beautiful even as it smacked into my windshield. As it fell, the sun came out from behind a cloud which, for a few minutes, seemed like the most beautiful part of a snow storm suddenly bathed in almost heavenly light. It was probably as close to heaven as you get on this side of the veil.

6. Enjoying the company of Anne's husband-something that never happened with that first one. Also, enjoying the company of the awesome women her brothers married. Late-night "tea time" where we sat around drinking herbal tea and eating leftover stocking candy was a particularly fun activity. (Though the movie was fun too-I don't get to see anything outside the dollar theatre too often these days.)

7. Seeing how great my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bob were with my kids. They never had any of their own, and they always seemed a bit awkward around me and my sisters. It's a whole different story with them now. And wonderful to watch.

8. Just soaking up all that Arizona sunshine-it was cloudy the first day we were there, but it warmed right up on Saturday and Sunday. (And boy are the kids ever missing it right now.)

9. It goes without saying that being in the place I was baptized on the actual baptism anniversary was a wonderful bonus. Since I didn't even live there at the time I was baptized, it's not a place I ever counted on visiting again.

10. Shopping at Trader Joe's-Oh how I miss it!

11. Knowing exactly where I was once we got to Phoenix and getting to show off my superior navigational skills to my Dad and husband who had no clue where they were. (Again, yay me!)

12. Getting to go to a football game WITH Dave (we usually take turns going while the other one stays with the kids) at an INDOOR stadium with real chairs instead of a bench with numbers. AND a stadium that sold churros, no less. (And standing up while looking WAY down at the field with two Diet Cokes in my system after a week of not consuming any caffeine was a pretty exhilirating experience too-though not one I plan to repeat.) Win or lose, that was an awesome game. Oh yeah.

13. Finally, (for Anne) giggling with her oldest brother's wife about how Natalie kept trying to sit by her son and how he kept blushing and scooting away from her. As we walked out the door, she shouted "Well fine, N-just don't say 'bye' to me then." Oh good grief! Anne, you were right. I guess Degrassi not the only thing with a "next generation."

Since we've been home, I've heard nothing but rave reviews from my kids about mommy's "other home" and they are asking incessantly for Anne and her husband Lobo. I wasn't sure until about two days before I left on this crazy road trip if I should even go (I would have given our tickets to my aunt and uncle who were mentioned in the list) and now I'm SO glad I did. And aren't you glad you didn't have to read about it for five days!

See more Thursday 13's here.