And Away We Go...Er... Went

Ha ha, yes. Feathery wisps of snow fall in slow motion past the window and I've got summer on my mind. I'm trying to play a little catch up here since choosing an almost blog free summer and fall. Sis, Marmie, Nessa, Jess, and Tiff want the back stories and they're gettin' 'em! ((Brrr)) But not before I grab some socks. And maybe a sweater. That's better.

He looked so good in his sandles, shorts, and summer shades, all kicked back in the driver's seat. I love seeing Lucas like this. Relaxed. No work on his mind. No worries. Half grin. *swoon*

"How ya doing back there, Seth?" I peered over Micah's head as much as possible, straining to see past his wheelchair strapped in the middle of the van. We'd stuffed every available corner of Micah's "low rider", and there wasn't much room to wiggle. Seth's lap full of half put together Lego creations let me know he was doing just fine. Micah happily waved his hands in time to the music. I turned my attention back to the beautiful scenery. Thick woods on either side, an open country road in the middle, Ah. It was a long way to Marmie's place, but we had a good start. This would be the longest road trip we'd taken since Micah was tiny, and we'd planned his positioning carefully. Generally a day at home includes a lot of rotation. A little time in the wheelchair is followed by some tummy time. Later, he stands with the aid of a stander, and then rests on his back for about an hour with some range of motion exercises for good measure. Then the routine starts over, giving him the chance to use his muscles, prevent bone damage, and soothe away the aches and pains that come from spastic cerebral palsy. That routine wasn't gonna be happening in the van. That's why we'd purchased a special seat belt allowing him to lay in the back seat from time to time and still be safely buckled up. Of course this meant that Seth got to see what it was like to be strapped in the wheelchair as it was the only seat left. I think he kind of liked it. So this was how we traveled, stopping every three hours to change positions, exercise Micah's cramped muscles, visit the changing room (unless one wasn't available in which case the van in a vacant parking lot became the diaper station) and on the road again. Everyone was glad to stop overnight, not quite as far on the map as Lucas would like to have been, but close enough. One more day of the same, made us question our judgment on this whole road trip idea, but then we were there! Marmie stood in the driveway, her eyes shining, the hugest smile on her face. There were tons of kisses and hugs, and... what was that? The smell of fried chicken, buttery taters, and freshly made sweet tea wafted from the windows of the house. Mmmmmm. Bring on the road trip anytime!