the things we do for our kids...

We had a lovely weekend that ended in me driving all the way to Great America to pick up someone's phone... Yes. I drove 3 hours round trip because someone I know went to Fright Fest with her friends and left her phone at the ice cream shop! Oh, the things we do for our kids. She needs the phone. I PAID for the phone, so yep. Road trip time! 

Saturday night, someone called us from my daughter's phone and my first reaction was that there had been an accident. Once I got over that shock, we learned she had left it. Then I got to stew all night about making the trek to pick it up. It's an easy drive, but not a lot of fun along the way. So I began the googling and texting. 

Only one person I know truly lives along the route and she didn't answer. I decided to hit the Gurnee Mills Mall after the phone retrieval for a store or two with lunch. Then hit a pumpkin patch or farm stand on the way back. That seemed like the best use of our time and our trip. Sunday I picked up my kid from her sleepover and we were off.

Two hours after I left my house, we had secured the phone. Then we hit the mall. I figured Burlington was the best route and I could have spent hours in there smelling candles, looking at the cute things, and just wasting time. Since I don't need anything and we had just shopped days before, I settled on some grown up looking super soft p.j.s. I figured if I had to spend a lazy Sunday driving around, I deserved something good.

We were lucky there was a food court right outside Burlington, so we ate and rolled out to start the trek home. There are tons of smaller farm stands and pumpkin patches on 1-73 that we never hit, so I stopped at one. We bought a pumpkin cream cheese turnover that was to die for! I love the little mom and pop shops. We try to spend there, too, instead of the larger places that get most of the revenue. 

We made it home safely and had a discussion about responsibilities, safety, and being aware of your surroundings. How many times have you changed plans for your kid? Or adjusted the menu to have kid friendly food? Or canceled because something wasn't kid friendly? We aren't THERE any more, but using a whole Sunday to track down a phone was definitely a life lesson for her and earned me "Best mom ever" award for the week. And I still wouldn't have it any other way.

worry never goes out of style

It has been a long couple months in this house! We suffered a great loss in July. We started high school in August. We had our first homecoming in September. October started with Mother Nature losing her dang mind. 

There were lots of firsts and not all of them were good ones. I gave my first eulogy. I learned to manage my sorrow. BUT I learned a lot from that experience. Life is short and we need to embrace each day as the gift that it is.


My baby started high school with grace and confidence. She learned new routines, made some new friends, and rekindled some old friendships as well. I have no need to worry. Her grades are good. Her confidence is high. Her smiles are present.

A good change is that we got to go homecoming dress shopping. Then shoes. Then nails. Then all the girly discussions about hair, flowers, makeup, toes, glitter. All the fun things! I worried most of the time she was gone, but she came back with big smiles and said it was a fun night full of dancing and laughter. 

Onto October. I just had a birthday and so far, I am not feeling older! What do I wish for this year? Peace. Happiness. Good health. Easy living.

I am definitely looking forward to cooler temps. I miss my cocoa, bonfires, leggings and sweaters. In the meantime, I will find new things to relax and enjoy. I will also find new things to worry about. I am sure of it 🤣

the things we do for our kids...

We had a lovely weekend that ended in me driving all the way to Great America to pick up someone's phone... Yes. I drove 3 hours round t...