Today, May 27th, officially marks the one month point in our trip. It simultaneously feels like we've been gone forever and like we just left. I think that's the way with life; whether we like it or not, one day follows another. Every day we get up, go about our activities, and at the end of the day, go to bed. Right now, it's just that our day-to-day activities are rather different than our normal.
To mark the one-month point, I thought I'd take a few minutes to jot down some thoughts about our trip thus far. For starters, here's what the kids had to say:
Graham: "The trip has been awesome! I like to get to meet new people. I don't like Thane harassing me."
Nellie: "I want to go home. I liked seeing the tall girl (Cora). I didn't like the Smoky Mountains, because I didn't like the bears there."
Thane: "It's amazing. I've really liked all of it. I don't like having to drive for long periods of time."
Bryce: "So far, I think this trip has been really fun and exciting, but maybe a little bit hard because it's off our routine and there's a lot of new stuff. I really liked getting to go to Carlsbad Caverns because it wasn't like anything I've seen before, and it wasn't hot. I think the hardest part for me probably been allergies or the heat.
Aubree: "It's been fun. I like getting to play with friends. I have not liked missing stuff, like stake dances."
Now some of my thoughts:
One of the best things about this trip is that everything is new and there is no back-tracking. Once we've traveled a road or a stretch of highway, we don't have to drive it again. On normal road trips, it seems exciting to get somewhere, but there's always the reminder in the back of my mind, "The further you go, the further you have to drive back." I don't have that sense at all on this trip, and that's been fantastic. As hard as it might be to leave one location, there's always something fun and exciting to which we can look forward.
One of the hardest things about this trip is that everything is new. Almost every day we wake up somewhere new and have to quickly try to remember where we are and what the plan is for that day. We've established some level of "road trip normal," but it's nothing like the routines and schedules and familiarity we have at home.
The mental load on me can be exhausting at times. This isn't a complaint, just a recognition/admission of the way the trip has gone. I'm the one who planned everything (by choice), so it's on me to make sure all the details are lined up and our travels go somewhat smoothly. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made every day, and no time to really step back and let things run themselves (like I could do when needed at home). On top of the trip specific things, there's regular parenting and living, plus all the stuff I've left behind back home. To be fair, friends at home have really picked up the slack in taking care of things I'd normally take care of, but there is still a lot I need to think about and help with, and I feel terrible about the ways I'm falling short in those responsibilities.
I also feel a little bad about the things my kids are missing at home, especially Aubree. For example, our stake decided to have Youth Conference at the end of May this year. Even worse, when the announced the schedule of events, they include things that Aubree would have loved, like an open mic night. I'm still convinced that this trip is an even better opportunity, but the "things we're missing out on" thoughts still remain.
On a slightly different note, I've had a few different discussions along our route with friends and family about the nature of social media. I don't post family stuff on Facebook very often, but I have been logging our trip on Instagram as well as this blog. Instagram, somewhat by design, consists of highlights. I try to be more balanced on our blog, and hopefully none of our regular blog readers think we are paragons in any category. When I blog, I intentionally focus on the positive, and I try to respect my family's privacy when needed (so I probably won't be writing about sensitive issues), but I also try to be real.
Just in case I haven't done a good job of that on Instagram or on our blog, let me assure you that this trip has not been perfect. In addition to all the good things, in the last month, there's been:
- arguing
- subpar parking (me, Mark's great at parking)
- bad manners
- spilled everything
- fussing and complaining
- grumpy parents
- short tempers
- fruit loops for breakfast (regularly)
- missed turns
- hard conversations
- passive aggressive responses
- laziness
- bad attitudes
- fighting
- ungratefulness
- missed scripture studies
- missed scripture studies
- wasted money
- hurt feelings
- avoidance of responsibilities
- bossiness
- rolled eyes
- poor communication
- harassing of siblings
- lost contacts
- lost socks
- lost lots of stuff
- overreactions
- tears
In other words, it's a lot like life at home, only on the road.
So, when you're reading about our exciting adventures, or scrolling through Instagram and seeing the highlight reel, remember that real life happens when the camera isn't out.
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