I wanted this spring break to be special. It is the last time we will have a family vacation with all the kids before Mia goes to college. I thought we would take the kids to Farmington and go fishing. Then Mike had to work so it was me and the kids. Mica and Mikal didn’t want to go north and Mike said they could stay here with grandma. I threw a hissy fit [so unattractive] and demanded that we all go together. In a compromise [because I really did want it to be fun for everyone] I planned a short trip through Southern New Mexico and West Texas before heading to Farmington. Maybe I’m crazy or just naive but I left the house with seven hungry kids in a gas guzzling passenger van with only $500 and no reservations.
Our first stop was Balmorhea, Texas. Not only was it cold and windy, no good for swimming, but the campground was full. We decided to drive to Carlsbad to spend the night. It took forever and we ended up staying in an overpriced hotel. Goodbye hundred dollar bill; it was nice knowing you. We woke up and went to Carlsbad Caverns. Yay! It was so fun. I wish we would have stayed for a bat flight, but the kids were anxious to get on the road. Aliens! A few more hours of driving landed us in Roswell at another overpriced hotel. I was already running out of money, so instead of eating at the super cool McDonald’s that looked like an alien spaceship I bought a loaf of bread and we made sandwiches at the hotel.
The next morning, I woke up early and all the kids were still sleeping. I went to the bathroom and saw roaches scurrying around the floor of the shower. I started to cry, feeling sorry for myself and my kids and thinking about all the things that I can’t give them. I wish we could fly somewhere exciting and stay at a nice hotel where they could all sleep in a bed and order room service, instead of camping on the floor of a dirty hotel room where they ask us not to turn on the water after ten. I wish I could take them out to a restaurant and let them order what they want instead of counting my money and dividing by eight. Two things off the dollar menu for each of you!
After about two minutes of that crap I stopped, disgusted with myself. Think about how great my life is compared with millions of people around the world. We got to go on vacation and see things that people pay a lot of money to come and visit. The caverns don’t care what you wear or how much money you have. They are spectacular. It doesn’t take money to laugh at the absurdity of Roswell, where even the light posts look like aliens. Is the sunset more beautiful if you are wearing designer clothes? We all had pillows and blankets, sleeping indoors with cable and running water. I want my kids to appreciate life and be able to enjoy themselves in any situation.
“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears.” Anthony Robbins
We ran out of money and came back home to do laundry and regroup. We’ll be driving to Farmington today or tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the pictures of our spring break so far.
I think that your kids are lucky to have parents, especially you since Mike works often, who are able and willing to spend time with them and go on fun trips. My parents both worked a lot, so while we got a nice vacation or two a year, they were never able to go on field trips, never watched me play school sports, and were definitely not home during school vacations to do anything.
Even now, as an adult, it’s still hard to plan anything with my mom because of her work schedule. We’ve been trying to get away for a girls weekend for well over a year and still have not been able to get her to mark off a few days of her calendar for it.
Your kids will always remember the grand trips you took here and there and all the things they were able to see that most kids don’t because a) they’re always at the pool at “x” place while the parents are doing something else, b) they’re at one of the Disney parks for the 15th time or c) they’re back at the hotel room because kids aren’t allowed at the casinos. They’ll remember ‘camping’ in the hotel rooms and togetherness instead of the material things. I think you expose your kids to so many wonderful things! Sometimes I’m too afraid to take both of my kids to Wal-mart, let alone an adventure!
Reading your post and nodding my head along with it… I love road trips and my kids always ask what the limit is before they order meals.
We live in Iowa and spent spring break ’09 in a rented DNR cabin in Nebraska. Good times, lots of Uno, and a trip to the zoo.
@Kristy: the zoo! I love the zoo.
I guess everyone does the best they can with what they have.
It turned out to be a lot of fun and the kids are already talking about it… Remember when? Ummm, yes. It was two days ago! LOL
*this isn’t Mom, this is Kristy on Mom’s computer
you rock kristy. i fight this battle in my own head and remember that when they are grown, they will look back fondly on the adventures and not about what they didn’t have. besides, i’ve seen roaches at expensive hotels! sometimes $$ is just a facade. would it have been better to max out a credit card on a trip to disney while your house is being foreclosed on (which is exactly what one of my relatives did)? no. you have to find a way to balance the needs and the wants and you do it well.
I wish you all would come and visit us here in Fort Worth! We would have to have “camping on the floor” but I DON’T HAVE ROACHES!!! We would have fun, I have food and there is lots of FREE stuff to do around here…think about it , you are always welcome!
I admire you for taking off and doing so much with your kids, I don’t do much of that and I do regret it but I don’t seem to change my ways. It is just so hard to travel with Eric, I know, it’s an excuse
…You on the other hand, grab life by the hand and run! 
I simply love that about you and girl, that’s what all those kids are going to remember!
Now, come on down!! Seriously!!
