MOSAIC MOMENTS

Tim and Garrett went to a youth church retreat this morning with their youth group. They were totally siked out for this trip thinking of all the cool things they will get to do. They are going to a resort that has pools, arcades, mini-golf, etc. But, they really aren’t that excited about the resort. What they are excited about is the water park and skate park they are going to this week.

This is the first time they have ever gone away like this, so I am a bit nervous about it all!

Yesterday, in preparation for this event, we had to buy several things. Yes, of course all the snacks and sunscreen, but the most NEEDED purchase was a new skate board deck for Garrett! He HAD to have this because his board was, in his own words, “a cheap piece of junk”.

It is funny how materialistic our kids can become when they hit that preteen stage! But, I did understand that his main concern was what the other boys would think of his board.

He had the money, or at least he thought he had the money to purchase this! However, one of his $20’s was missing! So, I chipped in and we made the one-hour drive (in the rain) to purchase the new board.

I had a “cultural experience” within this trip! The only place to purchase boards in the city is a place called “Smokin Joes” Upon entering, we saw a large sign that said

NO ONE UNDER 18 ADMITTED!

Under that there were some vulgar words printed that I wont repeat! However, the owner allowed the boys to see the boards since they were at the front of the store. I couldn’t wait to get out of there!

So, with skateboard in possession, we finally made it home.

The next part of this “preparing for camp” saga was to strategically pack all their things into the smallest spaces possible.

In the middle of my packing expedition, Garrett’s ex-girlfriend called and needed love-lorn advice. I find it so funny that even after Garrett and a girl no long find themselves madly in love with each other, they still come to him with their problems of current boyfriends!

He really should open up an advice column in the newspaper. He would probably make a fortune!

After all the packing we had to have “The Talk”

“The Talk” consisted of all the things my boys do that totally embarrass me. This “talk” lasted probably about an hour because everytime I tried to say something to one of them the other had to voice his opionion on the subject.

Finally at midnight we were able to move to the next step of “preparing for camp” This was the ”clean your 2000 parts” part of the preparation!

Showers were finally completed at 1am and with the boys tucked snugly into their beds I went to get ready for bed. After changing, I found a very large lump in my bed. As I pondered what to do about this lump it began to giggle.

Why is it that at 1am when everyone should be in bed, my house is wide awake?

Garrett finally came out from under the covers and said it was really hard to breathe under there.

Yeah… I guess so!!!

Garrett claimed his spot on the bed and only because I was feeling quite apprehensive about this trip away from home, I finally called out to Tim and asked him if he was coming too!

In a flash, Tim was in the middle of the bed with Garrett and I on either side.

Ok…. everyone is in bed… surely now we will get some sleep!!!

The only problem with this theory is that when Garrett gets extra tired he gets “punch drunk” and begins his stand-up comedy routine! And, the problem with that is, when he does this I am too tired to not laugh at his jokes.

So, here we are, at 1am– all in my bed laughing our heads off at Garrett’s stupid jokes!

I think we finally all fell asleep around 2am.

This is the first time for Tim and Garrett to go on a retreat like this. I know they will do fine and have a great time! I, on the other hand, will probably be a nervous wreck for the remainder of the week until they return safely back home! 

I totally appreciate those parents whose adult children with Down syndrome are moving out and getting married. I am a nervous wreck with Tim going on a 3 day trip! Imagine what I will be like when he moves out!

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