Whirlwind of a Trip

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We have been going nonstop since we got here! I am so glad my kids need naps in the afternoon because I need a break by then, too! This morning, Charis was up at 8:00...as usual! No more "sleeping in" for mommy! :) (I know, I know...that is sleeping in for some of you!) When she was done eating, I made her lay in bed with us to play for a while so I could rest a little longer. When Cayman woke up, Ian took both kids downstairs so I could "sleep" a little longer. I never went to back to sleep though. Too much noise from crazy Charis! :) She was trying to let Daddy know she was ready for the rest of her breakfast!

As soon as we were all ready, off we went! We went to one of the Chick-fil-A stores to visit our friends. Then we grabbed some lunch. Next it was off to the other Chick-fil-A to visit some of our other friends! We had so much fun seeing everyone...yet again! Everyone seems so excited to see us and greets us with bunches of hugs for everyone! I REALLY wish I would have kept a tally sheet for how many times I've heard the phrase, "She looks JUST like Ian!" because I swear it's been over a hundred! :) Cayman enjoyed playing at both playgrounds. He politely greeted our friends, lasted through a few hello's, then ran off for the play area. I probably looked like a horrible mom, but I left him in there unattended! "So sorry Mr. Dad in the play area today. I hope you didn't have to discipline my son!"

We went back home for naptime. Ian and I decided to lay down while the kids napped (after I found out that I couldn't go to Jennifer's to hold sweet Miss Sadie because they were going to the doctor). As soon as we laid down, one of Ian's friends that used to work at Chili's with him, just happened to call, completely out of the blue, to check in on Ian. Brad had no idea that we were in town. So Ian decided to just drive to Chili's to visit Brad at work. I couldn't get to sleep after Ian left, so I jumped in the shower. Once I got out, I realized I probably shouldn't have showered because I hardly had any time to get ready for our plans tonight! Ian finally came home, and I was still rushing around trying to get all of us ready to go. We made it...only a few minutes late.

Lori and Paul invited us over for dinner tonight. It was delicious! And Cayman had a blast, of course! He discovered the kids' powerwheels jeep that they ride in their huge basement. He stayed on that a long time! He was trying so hard to keep up with Hayden and Sophie, but they were just a little too quick for him! One time he'd followed them upstairs to the large playroom. He found a toy that had captured his attention, Hayden and Sophie went off on an adventure to get Tiger the Cat, and the next thing we heard was Cayman hollering from the top of the stairs for them to come back! We all ate dinner together, then enjoyed warm, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies out on the screened-in back porch! It was fantastic!

THEN.... after we left Lori and Paul's, we went to Reid and Jamie's. What a fun way to end our busy day! Reid is a General Manager at one of the Chick-fil-A's. That is how we met them about 2 years ago (plus or minus!) Cayman enjoyed playing with all of Emory's toys (their little boy). For the most part, they played well with or around each other. One time though, towards the end of the evening, Cayman pushed Emory over because Emory was trying to play with the toy Cayman was playing with. Of course we don't allow that kind of behavior, no matter how tired you are! So needless to say, Cayman got in a little bit of trouble for that one.... Soon after that, we decided it was time for us to say goodbye to our friends for who knows how long! It was difficult to say goodbye to everyone today because unless we see them again this trip, we have no idea when we'll see them again! By the time we come back to Raleigh, some of our Chick-fil-A friends may have moved on in their own Chick-fil-A careers! Who knows where they will be if they also join the IM program. At least we'll have plenty of vacation destinations if they get assigned to neat places! :)

Now it's 10:30. The kids are in bed. Ian's asleep on the sofa beside me as I type. I think it's time for me to join them all!

Tomorrow, busy-ness and fun will continue! Can't wait for the reunions to continue!!