day 174: and a few thousand miles later...

"Mom, what's our next big trip we get to take this year?"

I truly never set out for 2011 to be the year of big trips, but apparently that's what my daughters think. We have been watching the miles pass beneath us, that's for sure.

North Carolina in January

North Carolina in February (sans kids)

Washington DC in April

Washington DC in May (sans kids)

Goshen in June (grandma visit)

North Carolina in July

Goshen in July (grandma visit)

Camping in September

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised that they think there should be some other big trip waiting to be planned and anticipated.

My answer: "To pick up your Daddy."

Their response: "Okay. Good."

Satisfaction.

Except today, on the phone with Daddy, I heard McK tell him, "Daddy, I've got ideas about what we can do when you get home. Remember how you and Mommy took just Kennedy to Disney World? Well, it's only fair if you take all of us now." And in the background, thousands of miles away, I hear my husband laughing hysterically at this child, his mini-me. Suppose she's got a trip up her sleeve?

For now, this camping trip is the final chapter in the book of our travels this year. It was a good weekend, chock full of rock finding, scooter riding, knee scraping, beach wading, fireworks watching, s'more making, and tent sleeping. Yet all with that ever-present hole of someone not there with us.

The epilogue is yet to be written. But it won't be long. And that's a good thing. 'Cause I'm ready for a break from this story I'm writing. A little hiatus will suit me well.