Life Is An Adventure: M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I (Day 4)

Revisiting the Past ~ The Ag Museum

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

This morning began with a jolt at 4:15am, when Wesley awoke calling for Mommy! To keep from waking everybody, I quickly went in there and scooped him up and brought him to the super comfy recliner in the family room. He clearly did not want to be there as he kept saying to me that he wanted to play and see Jazz, Uncle Michael's dog. After a few moments of snuggles, he stopped asking, his body relaxed, and I knew that he was asleep and I quickly followed his lead and fell back asleep in the recliner with my baby snuggled in my arms!

At about 6:15, a certain 6 1/2 year old can trotting into the front room. He had just crawled into the chair with me when Papa came in from the camper to get cleaned up and begin his day. Within a few moments, Uncle JoJo and Aunt Mollie were also up getting ready. Little Robert and Wesley helped Papa start a fire as it was COLD! By 6:50, Hannah had joined those that were awake and Papa was geting ready to go to work! Aunt Mollie and Uncle JoJo ate breakfast and then went on their own to St. Joe for school. . . shortly after they left, while I was straightening up, I realized that Uncle JoJo left his lunch here at home :-(

The rest of the morning was pretty lazy. We played. We cleaned. We had fun. At around 10:00, we decided to get cleaned up and not look like the walking dead! I took a nice shower and the kiddos took a nice LONG, HOT bath that they loved. Afterwards, they ate lunch followed by naps! Daddy and I tried to lay down, but Hannah and Wesley thought otherwise. We had no sooner laid down when they began to talk to each other, so daddy went in there so that I could sleep. While we were resting, Grammie and Little Robert were out o a date. This was great as it allowed us to both rest and the peace of a quiet house - who ever knew that a 6 year old can make SO much noise?!?!?

After everyone woke up, I called Grammie to let her know that we were ready to go the the Forestry and Agriculture Museum, a.k.a. The Ag Museum. She brought Little Robert home and we were off. We got there about 90 minutes before they closed and that was the perfect amount of time!

We started outside where it was VERY cold. The kiddos enjoyed visiting the doctor's office, the gas station, the 2 room schoolhouse, the Church, the blacksmith, the printer, and all of the other Small Town, Mississippi buildings that were there. After We left Small Town, we proceeded to the the barn and house. The kiddos were very concerned about where they had to go potty and began to laugh hysterically when I told them about outhouses! After leaving this area, we went on inside the museum where they had heat! We took a picture in the giant rocker that was built by Mr. Harkins, who happens to be mommy's very good friend, Ms. Jordan, uncle! After this, we went on inside and began the tour. They saw all sorts of things and had many questions about what all they saw - and then the saw it - TRAINS, and lots of them!

It turns out, that inside of the Ag Museum now, there is a huge train exhibit. The train guys are in the process of switching the regular exhibit for the Christmas one, so a good bit of them were not working. However, since we were the only ones in there, one of the gentlemen offered to let us go inside the exhibit and stand on the caboose so that he could take a picture of us. The kiddos were thrilled to do this and the picture came out pretty darn cute!

After the full 90 minutes of hanging out and learning about MS's past, the kiddos were completely ready to go. We were grateful that they were initiating the leave as we were concerned that 90 minutes would not be enough for the. After bundling up, we began the walk to the minivan and then proceeded back to Grammie and Papa's house. . .

When we arrived back here, Uncle JoJo called to say that he was ready to be picked up from school so Uncle Michael and Daddy made the trip to St. Joe to pick him up from soccer practice. While they were gone, Papa came home and Aunt RaRa came over.

Once all that were meant to be here were here, we (all 11 of us!) gathered around the table for dinner - Mama made my favorite enchilladas and they were great! It was great fun as we had yet to enjoy a full meal together. This was memorable and great and reminded me of how it was when I was growing up. We even lit the first candle on the advent wreath! After every one ate a good dinner, Grammie pulled out the ice cream, caramel, whipped cream, and spirinkles - the kiddos LOVED making their own sundaes!

As everyone finished up with their dessert, they headed in seperate directions - Wesley and Uncle Michael played the piano - Uncle JoJo and Little Robert played the Wii - Grammie and Pop were read a book by Hannah - All of this, daddy and I truly enjoyed watching. It brought SO much joy to both of us to see them having such great fun and making the memories.

Soon all of that was over and the kiddos got in jammies, brushed teeth, gave hugs/kisses, and then went to bed. During this, Papa and Daddy ran to the store to get a few things and this left me and Grammie some time to truly talk - to have that heart to heart that I have needed. To get that mama hug that I have been longing for. To get that reassurance and love that only a mama can give. We hugged . We talked. We cried. It felt incredible. Again, it was what I have been needing for quite some time now - Thank you, Mama for meeting this need. I can not describe just how much good it has done to my heart. . . I feel like I can now face the week ahead with your support and prayers. I love you!

Now, I sit here and prepare for bed. I realize that when we wake tomorrow, it will be Wednesday. That will be the halfway point for our trip. I so badly do not want this to end. I do not want any part of this to end. Thus far, this trip has far exceeded any of our expectations and I pray that the pattern continues!