Travel Tip #16: Motel Rooms

Note to self: Take the $ amount you want to spend on a motel room & double it; that is the amount you should spend. Lesson learned, you will be much happier in the end. Say for example, you initially choose the acceptable yet cheaper "Inn & Suites" (name changed to protect identity). However, upon further inspection, you find 6 (no, I'm not exaggerating) hairs of varying lengths & textures within a 3sq ft area of your bed linens, a small yet noticeable blood stain on the sheet & a spider descending from the ceiling. As for myself & all those who share my phobia for other people's DNA & germs, how much are you really saving @ this point?

After being on the road for 13hrs, here's how to "Salvage the Situation." Step #1: QUICKLY grab all belongings, resist the urge to Lysol the children & your mother, return the keys & demand a refund. (Note to Self: Motels refuse to refund the room charge after 30 minutes). Step #2: "eat" the $60 you just spent on a room you will NOT be staying in & get back on the highway. Step #3: pay $120 on a FABULOUS Holiday Inn with a flat screen TV, "Fresh Mint" toiletries & granite bathroom vanity. Oh, and did I mention the "bright white" comforter & sheets (that were at least 300 thread count); I LOVE BLEACH!! Not even a single trace of DNA or bugs!! Step #4: LOL when your 7 yr old son tells Daddy on the phone that now we are staying at the "Holiday Inn" instead of the "Hairy Inn." I almost cried I laughed so hard.
And lastly, Step #5: embrace the $120 you just spent on a motel room, take a hot shower, and call your credit card company to cancel the "Hairy Inn" transaction (yes, you can do that!!). GO HOLIDAY INN!!

1 room @ the "Hairy Inn & Suites" $60
1 room @ the "Holiday Inn" $120

actually sleeping without other people's DNA getting on you....... PRICELESS

Are we there yet???

This was the last 30 minutes of the first day of travel. I must say, traveling with three kids for 1200 miles was a little trying; but Brayden & Adria did WAY better than I even imagined. On Sunday (June 8th) we drove from 4:30am till 5:15pm. Then got a hotel for the evening... which will be a whole different blog.

Monday morning we got up, went in the pool and then ate a big breakfast @ Denny's. We arrived at my Mom's house around 8:30pm. The trip was exactly 20hrs of driving. But with staying overnight, frequent bathroom stops & eating, the whole trip took us about 40hrs. God bless my mother!!

BabyTalk.

Here's a short "Baby Talk" video of Esten; hope you all enjoy. Took it this morning.

This one's for Laura...

Hey, someone @ work tell Laura to come look @ this pic. I told her I'd post it for her. This was on my door @ the hospital when Esten was born; her daughter made the "E" for me as a shower gift. LOVE IT!!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Please face Left...
Please face Right...
... and please face forward. Donovan got me this onesie while I was pregnant; I don't think he knew what was coming!! I also don't think they made one that said "Trouble is my first name."
Yet, I'm so darn in love!! Look at the chub!
He does enjoy a good hair washing...
Don't-cha just want to kiss him!!??
Such a sweet boy... when he's not turning purple from screaming. Although, the screaming has tapered off a bit once I learned mostly what causes his temper: a wet diaper & making him wait to eat. Both easy enough to fix.

Just for the record, Adria's BIG dance recital is this weekend... so you will all get a full blog dedicated to my girly-girl!! Who, just for the record, can't wait to go to Mrs Becky's house & show Taylor her dances in her cool dance room.. pencil us in sometime mid-July (and remember, you invited her!!)

My Boys...

My Boys!! I couldn't have picked a more beautiful, good hearted bunch of boys if I tried! God has blessed me.

Look @ those big eyes! This is the most recent pic...taken 6/3 around 7:30pm.

What a big brother...I'm so lucky!! Brayden is just as in love with Esten as I am.

May 24th; Brayden getting his trophy @ the end of baseball season... so proud! His team took 5th place.

Brayden with Ms Llano, his 2nd grade teacher, at his end of year awards ceremony on June 3rd.
I love his smile; this is as he walked off the stage after getting his awards: A-B Honor Roll, Super Scientist, Reading Award (for 130+ books), a "Common Sense"award & a Math Award. I am a VERY proud Mommy.