Little Cowboy

I feel like anything I COULD say would draw away from this picture.

However, I love it. This is my boy.

Arkansas

The band...in a moment of fatigue-induced stupor...

Last weekend, somehow, I braved taking all three kids BY AIRPLANE to Arkansas to do a retreat for junior high kids. Does this seem like craziness upon craziness...well, maybe. Luckily, two other members of my band and my drummer's wife, braved the trip with me.


Actually, I was feeling very calm about the whole thing at first. I surprised myself by having everyone packed, laundry done, house reasonably clean, and kitchen sink cleaned (a miracle) and ready to go BEFORE we needed to leave. Got to the airport in plenty of time, checked everyone in, got through security and down to the crappy commuter terminal of DIA. The kids, mostly Caedmon, were getting cranky so for our 4:20 flight, carried on McDonalds. Ava had her own seat next to me, Jack seated next to my guitarist, and then Caedmon in my lap. Happily munching on McDonalds, it seemed as though I had defeated all reason and expectation of every passenger on board.

Oh (ha ha ha), I definitely thought too soon. By the time we had about 45 minutes left, Caedmon was getting antsy...Ava was still happy in her seat as well as Jack in his. Just as the engine began to change "hum" to descend, and almost as if he knew something was different, Caedmon started to FREAK out...and I mean, freak out...I was the mom every person on the plan either (a) felt sorry for; or (b) wanted to throw off the plane. For 35 minutes Caedmon screamed and screamed and thrashed and writhed...I was exhausted, ready to snap and I'm pretty sure I pulled something in my back during this time. Once we got off the plane, you'd think it would stop...oh no. We got our luggage, waited for 40 minutes for our rental car (yes, you read that right), got into the car, packed all luggage in and still 10 minutes into the ride, Caed was still screaming. Our last ditch effort was to play the Pirates of the Carribean theme music...miracle of all miracles...he dropped off to sleep.

We arrived safely, and then had to play a 30 minute set. But, for a bunch of energizing excited junior high kids...love it...they are my favorite.

The next day, in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, we had some free time to explore...we really didn't find anything except the Museum of Automobiles, which had a cool fountain the kids loved to play in or stare at.

The rest of the day went great, we went to bed around 11pm and woke up at 3:15am to drive back to Little Rock and then on to Denver. And on THAT descent, Caedmon did the same thing...ugh.

Oh well, albeit a little stressful, we had a great trip and I love to spend time with my kids...

Enjoy the fountain pictures!