We spent the first night at a hotel outside Little Rock. Last night, we stopped between Nashville and Louisville.
A kookaburra in Kentucky.
And kangaroos…..
We visited Kentucky Down Under a long time ago, on one of those trips I took with the kids to West Virginia when they were younger. They barely remember it.
So we went again.
We went to Mammoth Cave, which is near there, a long time ago, too, but this time we just toured Kentucky Caverns.
Quintessential teen moment: Texting with a bird on top of her head.
I was talking to my cousin Brad about this unplanned trip, and he said to me–This trip is a time that your mother has provided to you to be with your children.
We have not rushed back.
Bracelet Morgan found at the gift shop at Kentucky Down Under. How could I not buy it for her?
SkippyMom says:
The bracelet is lovely. Take care Suzanne. Thoughts with you.
On July 20, 2010 at 1:36 am
Shelly says:
I think it is good you have not rushed back. Seems like you are enjoying your time together with your family. I like your pictures. Nice bracelet. :heart:
On July 20, 2010 at 2:54 am
Julie says:
I think your cousin Brad was right. Enjoy your children!
On July 20, 2010 at 2:59 am
Darlene in North Ga says:
Yep, time to spend with them is flying by. One day you look around and….they’re grown up. sigh
Glad you’re making good memories to go with the sad ones. Sometimes it’s good to revisit the places we’ve lived, even if it means “walking with ghosts” for a spell. Though doing that it is bittersweet.
On July 20, 2010 at 3:16 am
Nic, SD says:
Sounds like your cousin Brad is a smart guy.
PS I always love your Morgan photos. Her personality definitely a big part of it. I LOVE that she has the confidence to be bold and silly!
(Disclaimer: I could be way off base–you know her better than I do–but that’s how a lot of it comes off to me :yes: )
On July 20, 2010 at 4:27 am
glenda says:
I am glad you are taking your time and enjoying the trip with your children. Brad is a very wise person.
On July 20, 2010 at 6:01 am
Johanna says:
What a lovely gift. Time is the most precious thing.
On July 20, 2010 at 6:43 am
winifred says:
Lovely photographs and lovely memories. Priceless!
On July 20, 2010 at 6:45 am
Tovah says:
Definitely take your time. Looks like you are doing interesting things and making good memories.
On July 20, 2010 at 6:58 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
Suzanne, take your time. Enjoy your children. Don’t worry about getting back. Brad said it all. This is the time you spend with your kids. Enjoy yourselves and have a good time. They will remember this in years to come. Take care and have a great day!
On July 20, 2010 at 7:26 am
CindyP says:
Definitely take your time! They will be off on their own soon enough….and soon your Mother’s passing won’t be as hard to think about and the trip home in Weston’s Explorer will always be part of it.
P.S. LOVE your eyes, Morgan, you silly girl!
On July 20, 2010 at 7:31 am
patrice says:
Seeing the bracelet on Morgan brought tears. What a sweet and loving gesture.
On a lighter note, do we see kangaroos in your future? That would be an interesting twist to your barnyard menagerie! Kangaroos in the Road .com?
On July 20, 2010 at 7:32 am
Glenie says:
Sweet time of relaxing and remembering – time to recover just a little before life runs on.
On July 20, 2010 at 7:35 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
Your cousin is indeed a smart guy. Stop and see the giant ball of twine if you see it too!… I guess you probably passed it already, and the kangaroos are probably better, but yeah, same sort of thing. Stop and smell the roses, or the kangaroo poop. :pirate:
On July 20, 2010 at 7:49 am
Snapper says:
I think Brad is spot on…. Take care, all of you.
On July 20, 2010 at 8:03 am
Diane says:
So nice to be able to enjoy time with your kids. And at their age. Something about visiting these places when they are teens does something to you. I took my teen to the zoo. Just me and her and it was one of the best times we ever had. No rushing no hurrying to see things. Just quite time to enjoy each other. She even let me take pictures of her. lol. YES enjoy your time on the road with them and make good memories comming back. Its a good thing.
On July 20, 2010 at 8:05 am
Carmen C. says:
What a beautiful bracelet:) Love the kangaroos and how Morgan can text and have a bird on her shoulder at the same time, LOL, typical teenager:D
On July 20, 2010 at 8:30 am
ginny beyer says:
Brad is right on target, this is a time you will always remember.
On July 20, 2010 at 8:56 am
beth Brown says:
You have a very wise cousin. So glad that you have this time with your kids.
Beth aka oneoldgoat
On July 20, 2010 at 9:03 am
Angelia M says:
Oh goodness, Suzanne, got me crying again 🙂 Brad had some great words there. Glad you are taking the time 🙂
On July 20, 2010 at 9:03 am
Stevie says:
My grandmother died when I was about Morgan’s age — I wish I had been able to say goodbye in such a lovely way . . . this time will mean so much to all of you in the years to come. Take. Your. Time!
On July 20, 2010 at 9:27 am
Maria says:
Your cousin is right – what a beautiful memory….Two days in a row, I’m crying though…….I usually laugh when I come to this blog.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
On July 20, 2010 at 9:35 am
marymac says:
It is times like these which makes me think of what is truly important in life. It’s a slow healing, but it does happen, and your children will help see you thru it. Peace be with you.
On July 20, 2010 at 9:39 am
Elaine says:
You were so close to me. I wish I would have known, I could have been your hotel. We love Kentucky Down under and Mammoth Cave. Haven’t been to Kentucky Caverns though. Glad you had some quality time with your children. Sorry about your Mom but she is smiling and singing with the angels.
Blessings,
Elaine
On July 20, 2010 at 9:43 am
Jo says:
Looks like good memories together. Take your time, Suzanne. Don’t worry about us.
Which do you prefer? The Mammoth Caves or the Kentucky Caverns? We are taking a trip through Kentucky and into Tennessee in August and I wanted to take my boys to some caves. They have never seen caves before. I looked at Mammoth Caves online. Which one would you recommend?
Thanks, Suzanne.
On July 20, 2010 at 10:06 am
Mim says:
Lost my mom in 2001- felt like I had lost my anchor & was just floating around. In time instead of being sad, you will be laughing about the things your mother did….My kids are now my anchor. Sorry to hear of your loss. :pawprint:
On July 20, 2010 at 10:07 am
Cate says:
I think cousin Brad is absolutely right.
On July 20, 2010 at 10:13 am
Michelle says:
I have such fond memories of my grandmother’s funeral, not because of losing her, because she was so dear to me and that part was heartwrenching, but because of all the family sitting around and sharing wonderful stories. You are making the memory of their grandmother’s funeral very special indeed to Weston and Morgan, because they will look back and feel the love you shared (time spent = love to a child, no matter the age). Still, your heart must be shattered over the unexpected loss of your mom. I really feel for Ross, too, and the devastation that awaits him….
On July 20, 2010 at 10:21 am
Barbie says:
How fortunate your children are to have you spend this time with them as you slowly make your way back home to your busy lives. The memories they will have of this time are irreplaceable. Blessings to all of you.
On July 20, 2010 at 10:23 am
Melissa Marsh says:
I must agree – Cousin Brad is very wise. Enjoy your time with them. 🙂
On July 20, 2010 at 10:35 am
Tammy says:
You guys were like 10 miles from my house, I wish that I would have known, we would have shown you around some more, but on second thought maybe it was best that you and your kids are getting to make these lovely healing memories together right now. Enjoy the rest of your slow trip home. I am sorry that I did not get to meet you in person since you were so close, but maybe another time.
On July 20, 2010 at 11:06 am
Trina says:
This time you are spending with them is will be some of the best memories they will have as adults. It’s a great healing time too.
:hug:
On July 20, 2010 at 11:16 am
Angela P says:
:shimmy: Good call. Enjoy these days together. Wish I was along your route, Id offer for you all to stay with us I think MI is out of the way….maybe another trip??????
Safe travels and hugs :heart:
On July 20, 2010 at 11:28 am
Gena says:
And so you are making wonderful memories for your children, just as your mother made them for you. The legacy continues.
On July 20, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Sue Nugent says:
:snuggle: Wish I had known you would be that close to my home. You could have stopped in and even stayed over a bit. We would have enjoyed that. The house may not have been tidy, but who care about that? We would have treated you so many ways, you would have to love one of them. Maybe on your next trip through Ky.
On July 20, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Meg says:
You are a good mama – just like your mama! I’m glad you had this time together with your children.
On July 20, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Barbee' says:
Cousin Brad’s sweet, sweet wise words made tears in my eyes. What a wonderful thought. My mother’s sudden death was unexpected, too. The worst part was not being able to talk to her, to share things with her, but that gradually goes away and the good memories fill that void.
On July 20, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Grandmatotwochicks says:
Dear Suzanne,
So glad that you are all together during this sad time. My daughter was 17 when my Mom died suddenly, and they were very close, she was my Mom’s first grandchild and I think she was my Mom’s favorite Grand Girl! I am thinking and praying for you all! This is a gift that you can spend time with your babies. :fairy:
On July 20, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Rose H says:
Suzanne, I have been thinking about you and your family a lot over the last few days. I’m glad that you have been able to have such a positive time together, and not rushing back is the right way to go. Enjoy making these memories together. Safe journey.
On July 20, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Sharon Gosney says:
🙂 Priceless!
On July 20, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Valerie says:
This is a special time for you to share with your children. Enjoy it, take care, God bless.
On July 20, 2010 at 8:40 pm
mary beth says:
Brad is very wise. Glad you’re taking your time.
On July 21, 2010 at 12:11 am
princessvanessa says:
Morgan’s new “grandmother” bracelet brought tears to my eyes, again.
I’m glad that there were a few relaxing and lighter-hearted stops along the way.
On July 21, 2010 at 1:57 pm