MEMPHIS TRIP: DAY ONE, HIGHS & LOWS

We've realized that at this stage in our family's existence, it works better for us to do trips that aren't very far from us and do them for a shorter amount of time.  This reduces the overall stress level reached over the course of the trip, and it worked out really well this Spring Break.  We traveled with two other families this first day and met up with a third there in Memphis.

High:  Memphis is a mere 2ish hours from us, and our car travel was much better than expected.  (Please keep in mind that our expectations are at rock bottom low based on past car trips.)

High:  Our first stop was lunch at Central BBQ, a Memphis standby which did not disappoint.  We had a private room reserved which always helps to control our chaos.

High:  Stop #2 was Sweet Noshings - the popcorn/candy/ice cream store that we always visit.  In fact, they recognize us now, which is impressive since we don't live in the city.  We got our fill of candy for the kiddos and popcorn for everybody.

High:  Our first views of and checking into our spot for the night.  There is a giant pyramid in Memphis that recently got converted into a Bass Pro Shop/hotel called Big Cypress Lodge, and we'd heard great things about it.



There is the obvious strange paradox that you are in an outdoorsy environment inside of a glass pyramid, but it really is so cool.  And well-done.  And amazing.  Our children were in absolute heaven.

(our room was directly above the aquarium and under the logo!)

High:  After getting settled, we met up with friends to ride the "tallest free-standing elevator in America."  It's 25 stories to the top of the pyramid and overlooks the Mississippi river and Memphis for a killer view.  Our children ran a bit wild and some of them got cold, but overall, it was a fun little excursion.

Low:  Trying to get a family photo with the view.  I don't know what made this so very hard, but it was.  It did provide a lot of entertainment for my friends trying to take the picture.



It should also be noted that at this point in the trip, Violet decided she wanted to be in every photo.  I'll be posting those for entertainment value as well.

Low:  After exiting the elevator, we were heading to check on our dinner reservations and lost track of William.  We had a bad five minutes while some adults doubled down on the other twelve children and the rest fanned out to hunt for William on the Bass Pro Shop floor.  There were only a million places he could have gotten to and very quickly.  Thankfully, a friend found him wandering through the fishing poles and brought him back to us.

Low:  After a series of miscommunications between our group and the hotel and the restaurant and bowling alley, we ended up waiting and frustrated at dinner time.  At long last, they did end up giving us a room to ourselves, which was a bright spot in the experience.




The dinner and service turned comically bad at almost every turn, though they did offer us a discount in the end, which was appreciated.  We didn't end up doing the Fish Bowl, which was disappointing to the kids, but there was simply no time after everything that had already happened.



High:  It was my birthday, and my sweet friends brought cupcakes for me and everyone to celebrate.  The adults all got drinks.  The kids sang to me enthusiastically no less than three times, and everything that happened at dinner was so epically bad that it will be forever ingrained as a hysterical shared memory.  Plus, the children had a delightful time through it all.


(Violet needed to be photographed with the cupcakes.)

High:  Though we didn't get to bowl, we did have an Easter Egg hunt planned for the kiddos.  We used the hotel lobby, and it truly was a massive hit.  Each mom said we'd bring a couple dozen eggs, but we ended up with 260 - it's never been said that we go half way on stuff.  We got the children all into pjs while the dads hid the eggs, and then released them all to the hunt!

(Big Cypress was even decorated for the occasion.)

(Violet wanted to be in on the Ross's family picture.)

High:  Being with sweet friends that are like family.  It really is a treat to spend time with these people whom I love.



(and Violet!)

We hit the hay after all the fun of the first day, glad to have each of our children tucked into their beds in our cozy rooms.

(here's Court's take on the day!)

A WALK THROUGH THE TULIPS & MEMORY LANE

I think the themes of our spring break are animals and flowers.  We've already been to one zoo this week with plans to hit up another, and both yesterday and today, we went to see flowers in bloom nearby.  Today that meant heading to Garvan Woodland Gardens to see the tulips in bloom.  It is simply stunning.

We were also enamored with this peacock right next to the entry.



My camera battery died pretty quickly after our arrival, which was a super bummer, but I did get a few of the kiddos before big camera went away completely.

(She does know how to smile for a picture - she just doesn't feel like it.  She got on the rock by herself specifically to pose.)

We head here every year to see the Christmas lights, but we don't often make it in the spring.  We got to take in the Fairy village and so many different kinds of blooms.

We also met up with some sweet friends that live in Hot Springs, as well as friends from Little Rock (who I didn't get any pictures with, somehow).



I came here in the spring three years ago with the girls.  We were on pins and needles in our adoption process, because we were waiting on any news of the twins being born and possibly becoming ours.  I was on high alert and extremely emotional all the time.  I vividly remember leaving Hot Springs and getting a call from Gran Gran, who is now a dear member of our family but at that point I had never met, with bad news on the adoption front.  I drove home in tears, praying for the babies that I had hoped would become ours.

I had no idea that twelve days later, William and Violet would be born or that a mere fourteen days later, they would become ours.  Seeing the way that God has brought our family together in miraculous ways still blows me away.  Truly.  I could never have anticipated or imagined the story he had in mind for us, and I stand in awe of his power and grace and mercy.  It is not an easy road, but it is SO beautiful.



These four sweet ones were meant to be brother and sisters forever, and I rejoice in the gift that it is.  Going back to the tulips with almost three year olds in tow helped me remember all of the good from that journey.  I certainly couldn't have pictured all that God had in store.

Today, instead of adoption uncertainty, I dealt with twins that didn't always feel like walking or cooperating for anything.  But - I have perspective now.  I know that this too shall pass.  I have five and seven year old daughters who *mostly* happily smile for pictures and have fun on our outings.  I know it *mostly* gets better from here, which I am glad to remember as one twin or the other was wailing from the path or the stroller trying to ruin the peace at every turn.  We made it through the gardens - fist bumps for all involved.  Walking through the tulips and memory lane was worth it.

DAFFODILS MEAN SPRING

We made it to the field later than normal this year, and it had been hit with the spring storms a couple of weeks ago, so there were not as many flowers this year.  But - we went on a stunning spring day, and now that we've been - it officially feels like spring!

(Don't we all look so comfortable?)

Getting family pictures with a self-timer is a bit of a trick - especially with almost three year old twins who are less than interested.  But, John hung in there for me to get a couple, which I really appreciated.  A special shout out goes to the tree stump that held up our camera.  Looking back at all the past years makes my heart sing.



The big girls LOVED their time in the field, and Violet was pretty pleased most of the time.  William had other opinions about what he should be doing.  It probably didn't help that he boycotted nap before this but fell asleep in the car and had to be awakened.  That never helps.

(It does feel like there is constant motion when our kiddos are in the mix.  No one ever stops moving.)

(She posed this herself!)

We love Wye Mountain, and I'm thankful for the chance to visit, even if briefly, even if with crying children.  To be fair, he didn't cry much.  Only when I wanted to take his picture.

Here are our pics from our past years - if you want to go down the yellow flower field rabbit trail forever like I do every year.
{2015} {2014} {2013} {2012} {2011}