I'm not ready for reality

As much as summer is a slow rut in the fast pace life I prefer to live in, it is a welcome break when we actually get to vacation.  Today, we are back, and I am not ready to slip back into the doldrums of reality.  I am boycotting my dishes.  It is hard to come back to reality when you have just spent four days in this;

This one sums it all up.

What do you remember of summer vacations?

The first week that the kids were out of school we set off to start summer vacation off with a family vacation.  For a decade I have planned and executed family vacations, but this year I was too busy with school work to think of it and Josh was bored at work.  Josh wanted a family vacation like he had had when a kid: camping.  I am not opposed to camping.  So he 'planned' a little road trip south to Mammoth Caves National Park.  He did quite a bit of research and I only asked peripherally about how the plans were shaping up.  Rule #1 of delegation - if you give them the job, let them do it all even if it means somethings may not turn out so wonderful.  I could see a few hitches in the giddy-up, but hey, live and learn.  And learn we did.

We learned that vacationing in the first week of June is wonderful in that there are hardly any tourist,s but a bit unfortunate because all the tourist places are taking a break form Memorial Day crowds before the summer crowds turn up.  That translated into only 2 of the 6 tunnel tours being offered and all the naturalist hikes being cancelled.  We had booked 4 nights of camping at Mammoth cave but found after one day that we had maxed out on 'things' to do.  Josh and the kids were happy to ride their bikes around the campsite and play catch.  My body was not particularly happy with the weather conditions nor the meal options.  Josh had planned the meals, not forgetting that I couldn't eat certain inflammatory substances, but not remembering either.  That meant that for two days my diet consisted of beef.  Beef and Cheetos's.  Sounds like a bad two-year-old menu.  Rolling into day three we realized that camping further in the dank and cool (70 degrees in high humidity = aches for fibromyalgia) was not going to be awesome.  I was willing to troop it out, but frankly there as no more to do at Mammoth Caves.  

Do visit Mammoth Caves, it is phenomenal!  Of course we don't have pictures of anything underground, it was dark and no flash photography allowed.  After living my life in the west with all sorts of lava tubes and sandstone formations I was fascinated by the limestone caves.  I was 'geeking out' the whole time.  If I hadn't been an English major I would have happily spent my academic career looking at rocks as a geologist.  Mammoth is not famous for the dripstone formations (we had seen some of the worlds' best at Meramec Caverns in Mo. on our way up to Indiana) but for the sheer length of the tunnel - over 400 miles charted and 600 miles more expected.  That's amazing! But you can visit their website without me having to gush about it all. If there is a next time we visit we will be in cabins and bring mountain bikes (we are gonna wait till the kids are older so we can do more spelunking).

 Even though I was achey the whole time, Viv spent 30 minutes pouting in the visitor center because she didn't want to answer questions about bats, and Faith peed her pants half way through the historic tour,  what will remember most about camping at Mammoth Caves?  Probably riding our bikes and all sleeping in the same tent.

On we went, south, to Nashville Tennessee.  We had planned to make a day trip of it, but with the unfortunate events of Mammoth, we turned our Tennessee time into two nights in a hotel.  We rushed into town to get some real food and visited the Grand Ole' Opry.  Again, because of being in the 'between season' stage there weren't just fun family things going on at Opry as we had hoped and we weren't staying through the weekend to mash our small kids not a large concert of Little Big Town or Rascal Flats.  So the exterior was all we got of that; well, pictures with large guitars and lessons on overpriced souvenirs.

 The kids at their own spending cash this vacation from their own work which is a wonderful way to learn financial independence, but a grueling and non-stop litany of smallish children bringing up some of the most ridiculous garbage way over priced and saying with big doe eyes "can I buy this Mom?"  It's there money, so I can't just say NO! which is what any reasonable person should say in a souvenir shop (particularly at the Opry when you haven't seen a show or do not know more than two names of country artists past of present).  As it is their money, and their agency, I have to tell them in a severe whisper that a $5 pencil is no better than a 25 cent pencil we could get back home.  They pout a bit and put it back and I push them out of the gift shop to the sidewalk where I can explain the emotional appeal of souvenirs and how such shops get away with raking money out of emotionally charged tourists.  This repeated itself EVERYWHERE we went on this trip.  Exhausting, and I don't think it actually was a lesson learned, yet.   Is that what they will remember of visiting Nashville?

I will remember the dinner we ate at the Opry Hotel.  It was overpriced mexican food, but it was real food in a beautiful location.  The kids will probably remember that we went to a park with an odd old building, the Parthenon, and they got to pose with pillars.

 Danny rarely gets cranky on vacation, but this was one night where we were up late and he had not had enough dinner at the overpriced mexican restaurant.  Add to that there were not readily available restrooms so he had to be rushed off to a remote bush again, did not make him the most pleasant at the Parthenon.

The next day in Nashville was a bit more fun.  We visited The Hermitage, the farm/plantation of Andrew Jackson.  I am sure if Josh had not been in the medical field (for the money) he would have been an American history major.  He has read a biography of most of the American Presidents and loved Andrew Jackson.  Really, Andrew is one of the top 5 presidents of the US.  Who else do you remember?  I really appreciated that the audio tours kept the kids engaged throughout the entire morning without having to complain to me and I could listen to all the tracks from Rebecca Jackson's perspective.  I am intrigued by the history of the south and learning how slavery was justified for so many years even by very well meaning people. I believe I figured out the culprit for the continued inhuman use of black as slaves - the foreman.  That guy was in the worst position ever between the owner and the slaves.  He made it possible the genteel master to be benevolent and for the slaves to revolt which pegged him as the one with the whip.  I'm not saying any of it was right, and certainly my position as a white woman doesn't help me understand the culture or perspective of persecution justifiably, it was certainly a lesson on what may have contributed to the problem.

The Hermitage has about 90% original furniture and construction, that is amazing in itself.  The grounds are lovely and this was one place we were very happy that we visited in the early summer months because we could wander around the grounds without being punished by the sweltering summer heat.  Viv told us that if she had lived back in Jackson's time she would have been slave.  We assured her she was not African American - but it made me wonder about legitimacy of any brown skinned persons.  At any rate she did act as though we had punished her and had her headphones taken away and made sullen march out of the last 45 minutes of our visit at the Hermitage.  We probably won't remember that part.  I will remember how every night Andrew Jackson would go out to his wife's grave and sit with her for 30 minutes or more.

We spent the afternoon popping around downtown Nashville for some authentic music.  We did not pay to go in the Country Music Hall of Fame (again, of you do not know 2 famous country singers before you go in, it is likely you will not appreciate reading wall plaques about people you don't know, especially if you only have a 3rd grade reading level).  Viv was content to see Taylor Swift's name on the wall outside.  She was convinced the entire time we would walk around the corner and see her.  Faith just liked to tap her toes to the music of the live band music coming from every open bar on Broadway (although she did not like when we went into one for a moment to listen to Honky-Tonk because it smelled to thickly of alcohol) and Danny was intent on getting a loose tooth out during lunch, which he succeeded in doing by the end of the meal.    Those events were memorable indeed, but what I will remember is that night in the hotel.

Best parts of vacation are not at the tourist sites.

 We made our way back north with a trip past Abraham Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky.  Inside this impressive structure is a log cabin that was taken apart and put back together to display around the US as the birthplace cabin of Lincoln.  Later it was discovered as a fake, but it was built inside the structure and now is a 'replica' of the cabin he was born in.  The most fascinating fact; because they rebuilt that little cabin so many times, someone came up with the idea of children toys that you could put together.  And that is the reason that for the first 5 years of my kids' lives they called the 16th president of the United States President Abraham Lincoln Log.

Our final vacation stop was at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.  The were running qualifying races and we watched 4 good races.  Josh was intent on teaching the kids the financial ruin of gambling and had them root for a horse each race with an ice cream wager.  Only on the fourth race did Josh let them box their picks to get an ice-cream.  

Some day we will go back with fancy hats.  We did get free fake tattoos promoting American Pharaoh who won the Triple Crown the next day - first time since 1978.  Pretty historic.  Not that we saw American Pharaoh, but we got an idea of where he ran and how big the jockey's were (we had Faith walk next to one of the jockey's and she was only a couple of inches shorter than he).  At the end of an 'over budget' trip, will I remember that Josh and I were barely talking to each other at Churchill Downs because I thought the kids should be able to eat until they were full despite the cost of food and, budget forbidding, have some lemonade to quench their thirst.  Probably not. They will most likely remember that we finished the 6th Harry Potter book on the drive home and are now in the last  of the series after a years worth of bedtime reading through the epoch take of Harry Potter.

So what do we remember of family vacations?  Sometimes we do recall the crummy parts as the standouts.  Sometimes we don't honestly remember anything more than the pictures tell us (which is why we are biased to only save the happy looking ones or the specifically posed ones).  They remember briefly that we went.  Although, at this point in the summer, three weeks removed from that vacation, the kids are just looking forward to the next vacation planned, and the next, and the next.  The past is behind us, time to move on.

In the name of procrastination

As it is late-ish on a Saturday night and I have already watched a dumb movie this afternoon - my brain says there is no way that I can do any significant writing for end of term papers - I feel compelled to feel productive.  Posting feels productive.  As it is the last remaining vestige of journaling that I actively maintain (I somewhat compile my communications in a bit of an archive just in case someday I am famous and anyone cares), it is time to lay down some mortar that might stick together the past months.  As it is, I have no evidence online that the Button family continued to exist beyond the year 2014.  We are alive.  The apocalypse did not hit Indiana (although there are rumors that our proximity to Adam-on-diaman may give us some advance warning) and force us into oblivion.  Herein lies the proof:

We packed up and moved into our new house on  December 23rd.  It was the fastest  unpack I have ever done because we needed to have a 'home' atmosphere for Christmas.

In this photo it is very apparent that the elements of tradition that was forcing me to roll sushi on New Years was not personally what I wanted to be doing.  But the kids love it.  With the speed of the move, I am super impressed that I was able to keep up with any tradition.  But with the kids, they are old enough now to keep the guilt trip coming: that is the essence of tradition and as we edit our past when older, each one of those consistent years together will paint a picture of family bliss and fun despite Mom being cranky in 2015.

Josh and I made it to 33.  I don't remember what I got for Josh for his birthday and I only remember going to get some hair coloring done on my birthday...wow that doesn't speak well for early thirties!

Through January and February we had plenty 'snow day' cancellation from school which had nothing to do with snow but with a bit of chilled weather.  We loved having the ambiance of a fire to do some homework by on some of the chill days. I do have amazing kids.  Most of the time we are getting along and enjoy the same activities. 

Snow day core strengthening activities.  Viv is the only one of us with a strong core.  Danny is too ticklish to stay long in an airplane and Faith is floppy.  

So impressive - the kids wrote a play about cats and created costumes.  Day well spent.

January 14th, 2015 my baby turned 8.  Wahoo! I am no longer accountable for her sins!  Really, now we are all just accountable for the emotionality of burgeoning independence.

I couldn't have imagined how beautiful this day would be.  Faith chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She has such a mature soul and perceptive intellect that the choice was deeply felt by us all and I felt something more pure than proud, perhaps it is joy.

While Grammie and Grampie were in town for the baptism we went out for the first  roller-skating  experience.  The kids were pretty amazing.  Maybe I am a mean mom, but I wouldn't let them use the walkers on wheels as a crutch for learning.  In my opinion, they learned faster than if they had a walker, but I have no proof that there is any correlation.  Mostly it was their determination. 

Disco baby!

March we took a trip over to Columbus Ohio to visit the Ohio State University.  The trip was a combo of PhD program interviewing, temple visit, and most important for the kids - OSU vs Boise State gymnastics meet!  We reconnected with a cousin of mine who joined us at the meet.  It was really cool to see the women gymnasts do some amazing stuff so close up.  We tell Viv were are investing in her college tuition by paying for gymnastic lessons now - no pressure.

I may have gone a bit overboard with the eggs for color, not that the kids minded. And we have a giant yard to hide them in, we just had to make sure we had an accurate count.  

With Auntie Jill living with us she makes sure we schedule plenty of outings to experience life beyond our home.  We watched the IPFW mens baseball up to the 6th inning and decided we are more excited for the Tin Caps season to open than we thought.

The excursion to the game was worth it for Danny who found a ball in the grass and when he tried to return in to the team, they said he could keep it.  Free game.  Free ball.

I've been working hard as a student his past semester and have had some academic honors bestowed upon me.  Fancy.  I presented a couple of my papers at conferences and symposiums and it accumulated in a scholarship award from the department.  I am grateful to have the recognition not to inflate the ego, but rather to be able to celebrate what I am doing as a contribution.  It is nice to know your work is appreciated. 

Whereas I used this blog in one of my research projects on journal writing, which will probably become a theme as I continue to work with family history writing projects, I hope to keep everyone posted. That is, anyone who is still interested in the ancient form of blogging (came out in 2005 and after a decade in the digital world it is basically dino bones).  I teach blogging to my beginning composition students of one the original internet writing genres and LOVE it!

Not to be forgotten - October and November

Fast recap of what transpired in the family through October and November:As a family, and yes, that very much includes the cats, we watched the General Conference Broadcast at home.  I suppose it is not true to say the full family because Josh could not join us on Saturday as he is always working.  But, Sunday he did.  We kicked up our feet and enjoyed snuggling and working quietly while listening.  The kids are becoming wonderful note takers and probably go more out of the talks than I did (I was a bit snoozy).

Viv turned 7 on October 16th.  We often wonder if her biological age is about a decade behind her attitude.  She absolutely loves fashion and was pleased to receive more frills and sparkles to put together (and yes, she just puts together her favorite without regard to matching which is surprising considering her over-conscious regard for social acceptance).  She certainly is a force to be reckoned with, and is learning how to reckon with herself.  She is a proficient reader and can do anything she sets her mind to, it is the setting the mind part that is still in progress.

 Josh and I celebrated our 9th Anniversary on October 27th.  Having Josh by my side for all these many years is my favorite constant.  I couldn't ask for a more devoted and progressive man.  He got me this lovely hat and a praying mantis broach. Josh was a bit worried about the animalistic connection of how the female mantis bites the head off her mate after they copulate.  I figure that (1) my mouth is not that big and (2) it would have to be some experience for me to loose that kind of self-control.  All in all, Josh doesn't have to worry about me literally biting his head off, and I think that over the years I have become a better wife and 'bite-his-head-off' a little less figuratively.

Everyone in our house is currently obsessed with Harry Potter, so it was a sure bet for Halloween to go the Hogwarts road to costuming.  An etsy friend supplied the scarves and I broke down and bought a new sewing machine to finish out the cloaks (it should not take hours to sew a basic polyester straight stitch and that is when I knew that Grandma's machine and I were going to have to part ways).  With his blonde hair, Danny was Draco Malfoy, Faith naturally was Hermione Granger, and Viv was Nymphadora Tonks.  I resurrected my annual witches cloak and went as Minerva McGonagall circa Tom Riddle's era and Josh was Professor Snape for trick-or-treating.  The kids are still running around the house with their wands practicing various spells and hexes.  Luckily they are Muggle born and their magical skills are not so strong even if Faith is determined she will see her letter from Hogwarts (or the American Wizarding school equivalent) when she turns 11 years old.  

 We are currently finishing out book 4 in the series.  I made the cloaks extra long so they could be used again next year, when it is likely we are just finishing out book 7.

 I was not actually with the family on Halloween - first time ever - so Josh took the kids trick or treating.  I was attending an academic conference at MSU.  I am nearing the end of my Master's degree and scoping out schools for doctoral work.  I traveled with a couple of professors for the first ever Cultural Rhetorics Conference.  The conference was groundbreaking and the sushi place we ate at was amazing!

 Halloween crept up on us rather fast.  We were in the throws of school and buying a new home (we closed on our home two days before Thanksgiving).  I decided that I was tired of inviting guests over having had some ingracious ones in the past, but I was not tired of making the food.  I love cooking a big meal, bummer we don't have many people to share it with.  Ah well, I was emotional drained and the weather change was tickling the fibromyalgia.  We got a turkey roaster many  years ago and it makes AMAZINGLY MOIST bird.  Totally worth the left overs.  We brined it this year, which I loved, the rest thought it a bit too salty in pockets.  

Grandma Ruby's rolls and rainbow Jello are traditional must.

Jill helped out with the side dishes.  The spread was amazing!  The leftovers lingered well into December, which was wonderful since my pension for cooking was waning.    The remedy for not wanting to cook in December, however was the German Aubendbrot tradition.  We fit in three fabulous, company filled Sunday feasts preceding Christmas and filled the fridge with wonderful leftovers.  We invited my good friends from a family history writing course on the 7th, the Gregory and Coudron family on the 14th, and finished strong with the Routsong family on the 21st.  

 Although we do look forward to the food, the tradition of singing carols of the Season and reading from the scriptural accounts of Jesus' birth are what really hold the Holidays together for me. I am so grateful for good parents who established patterns that have helped me, and now my family (and a couple of regular annual guests) look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior.  Traditions absolutely help me maintain some of the joy of the season for our family despite my own personal health.  It is good to just do what you have always done and be blessed by it every year.  It has also made all my kids wonderful singers who know the words to great anthems of the Messiah's coming!