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Last weekend we decided to attend my husband’s family reunion. Originally we had no intention of going considering that the location was Rockford, IL and that is a two hour drive from our home. We have three children; one being a six week old infant, a two hour drive is never easy! While sitting here Saturday morning we made the decision to attend. What can I say, we were bored! So, our two hour journey began. Let me start with the fact that it took us two hours just pack up our stuff and actually get three young children into the car. My husband called my father in law for directions, which I was writing as he was explaining. This of course was already a disaster waiting to happen. My sense of direction is horrible and he knows this. So we are finally on the road and everything is going well until our exit on the highway is closed! We call for an alternate route and end up with two alternate routes. In the meantime, our children arguing in the backseat and our lack of concentration gets us completely lost.

My husband, who rarely gets aggravated, is officially frustrated. He decides he knows the way home so that is what we are going to do, go home! Go home? I couldn’t believe it, two and half hours and probably only an extra fifteen minutes to get to our destination and we are going home! I know the baby will never make another two hours home without a stop to eat but who am I to tell him. So, I of course, choose to say nothing! As we turn around and start heading home my father in law calls and we finally find our way there. As we arrive my husband is blaming the whole thing on me because the directions I wrote were not correct. All I’m thinking is get me out of the car. The kids instantly run off and enjoy the in ground pool on that 90 degree day while I find a nice shaded spot to sit with the baby. My husband is off somewhere playing bean bags and drinking beer, as I try to feed the baby and keep my eyes on two children swimming. After only two hours my husband decides it’s time to leave.

So again, I’m trying to gather all our things and get the kids changed into dry clothes while he sits and mingles! Even though it wasn’t very fulfilling for me, my children had a wonderful time and that makes me happy. The drive home was a lot shorter and peaceful. The kids and my husband slept while I drove, making for some much needed time alone with my thoughts. I expected a much more fun filled day but it had turned into an all day driving journey in my opinion. Needless to say, I don’t think I will be attending the next reunion. It didn’t really feel like a reunion at all, I could have taken the kids to the water park and had more fun!!