The room is such a treat for us because for over four days we've been mildly confined. Yes, the RV is nothing to complain about. We have lots of space. Taite even has his own little hide-out. Even so, you can only do so much running around inside the RV with 7 other people. We've had one pool and one playground (both at the same resort in Amarillo) for the kids to unwind. Otherwise we've been in restaurants, inside the RV, or in an area where the kids can't just run around. I have been thoroughly impressed at the behavior of my children along the way. But one of the ways my kids rejuvenate is by literally running in circles - especially Lincoln. At home he can run laps around the main level for what seems like hours. Lincoln has now had his fair share of running and will be ready to drive toward Lake Havasu Sunday.
Parker can rejuvenate in two ways. She enjoys being around and playing with other kids, but her energy is replenished by being alone. This afternoon I found her in a corner of the giant bathroom here at the hotel talking to the turtle and dolphin pool toys - she was taking their dinner order. ;-) Yesterday while all the kids where playing croquet on the resort grounds I found Parker sitting on a ledge by herself. I asked her what she was doing. "I'm riding a camel," she replied. Of course she was - Duh! If she can't get away she will close her eyes and nap. She has taken more naps on this trip than she has in the last six months combined.
Sleep has been a hot comodity for me. Sleeping in the RV is quite different from sleeping in our rooms at home - with our bedroom doors shut. Now I hear every sneeze, snore, cough, and mumble (Taite and Lincoln talk in their sleep). Thankfully nobody else is affected. The kids just sleep through the other kids' night quirks. Travis sleeps with ear plugs when he travels. I'm contemplating using ear plugs myself. My mom-conscience warns me to not use them...what if someone chokes and needs me to run to their rescue?! But if I don't make some adjustments I'm sure my immune system will weaken from lack of sleep. Nobody wants a sick, drained, or crabby mommy. The giant room we are staying in and my unbelievably comfortable bed are by far the best gifts. They are 10 times better than having a massage at the spa here. (Well, let's not go too far - 8 times better.)
Getting good sleep is just the first part of a good routine. A good routine is what Travis thinks is the thing that rejuvenates him the most. I'm not sure how to implement a routine - or even a sprinkle of a schedule - for our family over a Christmas/New Year/business/life-on-the-road trip? Figuring out this aspect of the adventure is a necessity if we intend to do anything like this again. Because of that, Travis says he does not yet feel rejuvenated. That being said, we are in Tucson for Travis' business meetings. Here Travis is able to do some teaching, coaching, managing, and training all while he's with his co-workers/friends. It doesn't provide routine, but it is something with which Travis is very familiar. Over the course of these last couple days I've watched Travis relax, grow more patient, and smile with us more.
Part of Taite's typical routine at home is playing sports. Football is usually his sport of choice, but any competitive sport will do. Calla and Parker are not big into sports, Lincoln is interested only sometimes, and any sport is hard to do when you are driving in a vehicle. We hadn't played enough sports for Taite to rejuvenate until we arrived at the resort here in Tucson. Taite's third cousin once removed (if that's even possible - we made that up, but she's somehow related), Holly, is all about competition. Thankfully Linda (Trav's mom), Laura (a cousin somehow), and Holly (Laura's daughter) joined us at the hotel yesterday. A game of croquet is all it took for me to see my old Taite again. The wrestling/kick boxing the night before helped too.
This resort is perfect for families. The kids have played croquet, ping pong, giant Jenga, bean bag toss, tag, hide and seek, kick the shoe, dead or alive, and catch. The resort also has volleyball, badminton, hula hoops and jump ropes. They keep the pools at a warmer-than-the-air temperature of 82 degrees. Calla and Holly came to me and Laura yesterday and said, "Can we please put our hands in the water? It's warm!"
"Ok, just your hands," Laura and I both said. Within minutes the girls were back.
"Can we please take our shoes off and let our feet get wet?" Hesitantly we said yes, knowing that it would not end well for the moms. Within 30 minutes I found Calla on her hands and knees leap frogging through the shallow end of the pool and Holly wasn't any drier.
Laura laughed and said, "This is what memories are made of." So true. Since the air temperature was 60 degrees, when it was time to get out all the wet kids were freezing! We walked into the hotel's Starbucks and got hot cocoa for everyone. Sadly, that was the last we'll see of Laura and Holly until we find ourselves in Tucson again I suppose. What a fabulous time, though!
Today we played with the Rogers' (from Nebraska), Davenport's (from North Carolina), and McLean's (from Arkansas) - where most of the activities listed above occurred. How fun that our kiddos have good friends around the country! What a unique experience! They all get along incredibly well, too!
My children thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all the kids - but probably not as much as I enjoyed my time chatting with the ladies poolside or by the patio's bonfire. I might have been the one who needed rejuvenation the most - it wasn't pretty ;-). What a blessing it was to have time with Laura and Linda yesterday! Last night I had a fabulous time talking with my dear friend Nikki. And today while our eleven children played hard I got to connect and converse with four incredible women - Nikki, Amy, Leslie, and Debbie. This week I learned that I am rejuvenated by time spent in conversation with my girlfriends. It's a kind of chit chat that a husband or children cannot provide. The conversation can be about anything...mommyhood, food, travels, children's quirks, God, Bible studies, dreams, books, schooling, whether you should wear scarfs and pants or tanks and shorts on a 60 degree day, anything. This part of the trip came at the perfect time - exactly what I needed.
Calla has seemed to be the least emotionally effected on this trip. If she's well rested and has someone to take care of, she's in her element. She's been able to help me with Lincoln and Parker, she's been able to help everyone with her Ooh La La Spa, and anytime she sees a baby or toddler she's all over them! I feel like I haven't pinpointed her rejuvenation button yet, but I might be on to something.
Jim and Linda (Travis' parents) came to the hotel Thursday night to help us with the kids and participate in the awards ceremony and dinner. Tomorrow (Saturday) they return for a trip to Old Tucson then stay to watch the kids while Travis and I attend a formal dinner. We are looking forward to being with them again and experiencing Old Tucson. Until then, I'm off to attempt to get a solid night of sleep in this fabulous bed. (I wonder if we can get one of these in the RV! ;-)) Hasta Pronto!
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