04/02/2007

This morning (very early...like 2AM) my parents and brother checked into their hotel down here in Texas. They are visiting us for Spring Break all the way from Michigan. I've been counting down the days until they arrived--I'm so excited to have them all visit! Mom arrived in less-than-perfect condition having sufferred a bout of the flu on the trip down. She is quickly recovering (maybe it was just a 24-hour bug) and I hope she'll be able to enjoy the rest of her time here. Kyle, my brother, is temporarily handicapped from an unfortunate incident on the ski slopes in Michigan. His right arm is all casted up which makes writing difficult but is good for fending off the friendly advances of Duke and Hobbs (our Great Dane and Black Lab, respectively). Thus far, Dad is the only one of the crew who seems to be in mint condition.

As for the three of us Texans, we are all doing well. Nick is actually in a state of elation at having his sailboat back and has already today headed out to a marine store to purchase some supplies. As soon as I laid eyes on the sailboat and recalled all of its glory (said while rolling my eyes), I suggested we invest in a better life insurance policy. Did I mention Nick is considering taking his 10-ft sailboat out on the ocean? The only thing that prevents me from praying for the boat's untimely demise is my guilt: the boat has such emotional significance for Nick. Still, I am prepared to put my foot down the day Nick attempts to take our son with him for a cruise.

The forecast for the remainder of my parent's visit includes primarily cloudly skies and thunderstorms. This is not, I tell you, what they had in mind for their spring break in Texas. However, Mom Jones, does this vacation weather sound familiar? When Dad and Mom Jones were visiting us (also from Michigan) a few weeks ago we had a similarly miserable weather pattern. We were able to squeeze in one beautiful afternoon at the beach. It always rains on vacation. It seems to be the general rule. Traffic is bad, weather is poor, lines are long, hotel rooms are too expensive, restaurants are packed, and at the end of it all you have to drive 20 hours to get home. Okay, not always, but it's those horrible experiences that seem to leave the most poignant memories. May this vacation be dissimilar!