Erin and I have spent the last two weeks spiritedly debating whether or not we should take a brief vacation in early October, just prior to her return to teaching. Two factors have held the most sway in this discussion -- 1. Cash and 2. My sanity.
We've told many people since we returned from China with Miss Grace back in August that poor Grant, in some ways, got the shaft. When momma has a baby the old fashioned way with the big belly and the mornin' pukes, the already livin' child gets a chance to accommodate his new sibling at a leisurely pace. But in this wacky world of adoption, poor Grant suddenly had a toddler competitor on his hands, willing to steal his stuff and crap on him while sharing a bath in the tub.
And while this has assuredly been Grant's predicament over the past few weeks, truth be told, it has also been mine. I simply wasn't prepared, mentally or emotionally, for the added strain of a second toddler. I think I kept telling myself that it wouldn't really require much of a change, but I was wrong. (And yes, the greater part of the increased work has fallen to my amazing wife. How she's keeping it together is a mystery to me...as are most things.)
Grace is a peach, don't get me wrong. But she screams a lot. And cries for no reason a lot. And doesn't like going to bed a lot. We always knew that Grant was a gem, but I think he lulled us into a false sense of security. And while Grace is also a wonderful child in her own right, the addition of a second kid to the family definitely has changed the dynamic.
So in an effort to relax a bit, we began discussing vacations. Erin immediately noted that we have traveled a lot this year, which is true. We've made trips to Disney World, Los Angeles, and oh yeah, China. But for me, both L.A. and China started as business trips. And anyone who has done the China adoption journey will tell you that that trip is NOT a vacation, in any sense.
Additionally, one of the many blessings of my job is that my many trips to China mean we rack up frequent flyer miles and hotel points at a pretty fast clip. Right now we have hotel rooms that we have to use between now and the end of the year, so with some careful planning, we are able to take trips that don't blow the budget too badly.
With all that said, we wanted to stay someplace where we could enjoy the cooler temps and changing colors of fall. Plus we didn't really want to fly any place. So initially we looked at the old staple of Gatlinburg, which we have come to enjoy over the past few years. The unfortunate part about Gatlinburg for us is that it doesn't really let us take advantage of any of our accumulated free hotels, so it ends up costing us basically full price.
We next looked at Amish country in Pennsylvania, but there's just something about "goin' Amish" that I can't get excited about for a vacation. We also tossed around Williamsburg since we could make use of some discounts there, but decided it was simply too long a drive.
So we settled on a trip to Holiday World in southern Indiana. We were going to go to the theme park, then go over to Louisville for some, uh, something. Then we were going to drive home.
On Saturday evening, Erin began to question my commitment and excitement level regarding our proposed trip. I informed her that I was "all in" for some time at the Holiday Inn Express in Jasper, Indiana. "Perhaps we can catch a Broadway show or do a little mountain hiking" while in, uh, Jasper.
With that, she returned to a careful examination of our finances and options. After looking things over, she informed me that we should just "go to freaking Williamsburg." And quite honestly, there is more to do in Williamsburg than Jasper. There's the historic stuff (Who can resist a picture of a toddler in stocks?) and there's Halloween stuff at Busch Gardens. Plus they have a "Lunch with Elmo" thing which will undoubtedly make Grant's day.
So we're going to Williamsburg instead. We've made the reservations and booked the hotels. We're breaking the drive into 2 day chunks, so hopefully it won't be too bad. And as far as financing the trip goes? What are the chances that BOTH Grace and Grant will go to college? I've always said that the problem with having 4 kids is that ONE of them is going to jail no matter what. With 3, you're probably safe. With 4, somebody's doing time. The same holds true with academics, but on a tighter scale. You can always get one kid into college, but two?
Posts
3 comments:
I'm sure they'll be good at something and get scholarships! That's what we tell ourselves about our kids! Have a great trip!
Uh. Am I missing something? How is it that you weren't prepared, mentally or emotionally, for a second toddler? You had been waiting for over 3 YEARS! You knew all along this might happen, I mean, were you expecting a teenager or a newborn from China?
You know, you could have given up your spot, you could have waited until your son were older. And Grace might have gone to a CHILDLESS couple who had been waiting for years! She would have been their FIRST, and treasured like the gift she is instead of a burden.
Do you know how lucky you are? Are you aware that your daughter is exceptionally beautiful? Well, you better be prepared, mentally and emotionally because boys will be lining up in a few years!
I'm with you brother. I now have four and I fully believe, now, that you can NEVER be fully prepared. How can you prepare for the unknown? Each one of my four girls, yes four (plus wife=5), is totally different. They all started out with different personalities, gifts and tempers and it hasn't changed. I'm pretty sure that's how it's supposed to be, otherwise it would get pretty boring. During and immediately after our long wait I think we (maybe just me) start to think that our newest may not have any of the issues we've read about and that she will be totally adjusted to us and her new "forever" family. After returning home I think the reality sets in that there is a lot of work to be done and much to be learned by all involved. All kids handle things differently, our oldest is generally a straight A student and this 6 weeks has some terrible grades. Another is having trouble paying attention and listening at school and at home. Then other is thriving at school and saves her poor behavior for home :) The fact of the matter is that it will take time for them and us. Keep up the good work, take your vacation, relax, spend some special time with Grant, and maybe take Anonymous with you. It sounds like they need a vacation too!
Post a Comment