Life in My World -- We're Going On a Trip . . .

The kids and I used to sing this song in the car:

♫ I’m going on a trip with Auntie Nell and I’m wondering what to pack.

We plan to climb Mt. Everest with a team of twenty yak.

If they stampede I’m sure to need a warm wooly hat.

So I will pack a warm wooly hat. ♪

Calvin, Ray, Cali, Ty, and I are going on a trip to see Aunt Rachel. Actually we’re going to see Justin before he leaves on his mission to Italy, but he lives with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Bert so we’ll see them, too. I’m literally wondering what to pack. I usually pack real light . . . reeeeal light so as to avoid scrutiny. But, this is a trip to Aunt Rachel’s and she not only lives in Oklahoma, she lives with Calder and last week after seeing the bees gather on the table to recycle the spilt syrup, he decided to put some on his hand (and eventually his whole body) to see if they’d come get it off of him. Sure enough they do. Do I pack bug spray or syrup?

Calder's hand

♫ On a camping trip with Auntie Nell, wandering through the trees

We just might cross a muddy swamp in water up to our knees.

There’ll be weeds and I might need some rubber boots for that.

So I will pack two rubber boots and a warm wooly hat. ♪

Aunt Rachel and Uncle Bert not only live with Justin and Calder, they also live with Jesse and she whips out amazing sidewalk art for fun. Shall I pack syrup or bug spray, and chalk?

Jesse's art



♫ Wherever I go with Auntie Nell, it’s off the beaten track:

A caravan across the sand, three weeks on a camel’s back.

My faithful steed and I might need some water bags for that.

So I will pack three water bags, two rubber boots, and a warm, wooly hat. ♪

Aunt Rachel and Uncle Bert not only live with Justin, Calder, and Jesse, they also live with Hydn.  This is an FBI mug shot for a game they played the other day – something about booking the criminal, escaping, ridding themselves of evidence.  And, as Rachel said, “Obviously Hy wasn’t very successful at deleting evidence.”  FBI paraphernalia, I must pack FBI paraphernalia. 

 Hydn, fugitive

♫ A motoring trip with Auntie Nell is sure to entertain.

We plan to drive a little deuce coupe on the Serengeti plain.

To make good speed we’re sure to need some fuzzy dice for that,

So I will pack four fuzzy dice, three water bags, two rubber boots, and a warm, wooly hat. ♪

Aunt Rachel and Uncle Bert not only live with Justin, Calder, Jesse, and Hydn, they also live with Pal.  Pal is a magician.  This is no passing phase; he’s been in it since I was there the last time two years ago and we made cupcakes and baked a cotton ball in each one.  He lives for April Fool’s Day and the like.  He needs a rabbit.  So shall I pack syrup or bug spray, sidewalk chalk, FBI paraphernalia and a rabbit?

 Pal

♫ We plan to take an ocean voyage in a very small canoe.

Without much room to pack a lunch we’ll live on fishy stew.

As we proceed I’m sure to need some fishing poles for that,

So I will pack five fishing poles, four fuzzy dice, three water bags,

two rubber boots, and a warm wooly hat. ♪

Aunt Rachel and Uncle Bert not only live with Justin, Calder, Jesse, Hydn, and Pal, they also live with Maddie and Cache.  Maddie can make a game out of anything, and Cache has volunteered weekly to serve at the food bank for years.  Rubber gloves would be appropriate . . . and more time.  I’ll need time for Maddie’s games.

Can you see my dilemma? Airport security will have a cow if a bag full of rabbits, FBI paraphernalia, sidewalk chalk, rubber gloves, and bug spray rolls across the belt. I’d not only get the full-body scan, I’d get the frisk too.  I don't think I'm fond of frisks. 

I think I'll pack light (. . . and guess what else? We’re flying first class. Ray and Cali gifted us an upgrade with some coupons they have. And, other than the fact that I’m going to feel real embarrassed sitting comfortably with plenty of leg room, and a real cup of refillable water, and maybe even a bag of real peanuts, while Cali, Ray, and others are going back to the cramped claustrophobic seats, I am quite excited. Don't expect a self-portrait. That I can't do).

We're going on a trip . . .



to tell Justin "Ciao" and that we love him and are proud of him.  He's an incredible older brother and nephew and I have no doubt he will be a powerful missionary.  I'm excited.