Friday, March 6, 2009

adventures ... then and now ... and then.

adventure ...
/ædˈvɛntʃər/ –noun
an exciting or very unusual experience

isn't it funny how a single word can hold such a completely ... drastically ... utterly different meaning at various moments within your lifetime?

all the while, your dictionary ... seemingly never updates their definition.

in my past ...
i've done things that were (at the time) exciting ... and (maybe) unusual ...

... climbed atop a water tower with my heart racing ... (sar-bear - i hope your mom doesn't read this!)
... jumped aboard my horse and just galloped away with no rhyme or reason ...
... moved somewhere - just because i didn't know anyone that lived there ...
... boarded a plane to meet my husband on an overnight trip for just 12 hours because i could ...
... flew to florida at 6 months pregnant to spend the weekend with my dad searching for seashells while he was working ...
... held my husband's hand as we explored several vacation and new-home states ...
... finding a peach tree growing on the side of the road in a remote area, stealing a peach (and deciding that peaches from a grocery store will just never be good enough) ...
... quitting a job and taking a job that just felt more right ...

adventure.
and now?, my so-called adventures have altered ... for example ...

... taking a one year old (just getting through a bout of rotovirus) to california ...
... taking a two year old to hawaii for a best(est) friend's wedding (that's 12 hours on a plane, folks - which totally counts as an adventure) ...
... we explored hawaii with a two year old - including a dolphin cruise and snorkeling adventure ...
... forgetting the packed diaper bag during an all-day outing (my husband has never been so happy about my decision to stash a few diapers in the car - just in case) ...
... flying with my 9-month old first class to salt lake city ...
... getting pregnant - twice ...
... making it through natural childbirth - twice ...
... walking through the valley with the children, the wagon, the dog, the husband ...
... discoving deer beds and hornets nests (not up close) and redwinged blackbirds in the cattails ...
... exploring the shores of lake superior trying to find agates and angel tears ...
... camping in cold/wet and hot/dusty weather with two kids and boppa ...
... fretting about having two littles and shopping with them (who sits where?) - and surviving ...

adventure.
it sure has changed it's definition ... and will again someday soon ... i'm almost sure of it ...
and THAT is when i hope to accomplish more adventures ...

... riding horseback on a beach - galloping in the surf ...
... safari in africa - discovering animals in the place where they reign and i don't ...
... jumping on a plane to see my husband on an overnight trip - just because i can. again ...
... watch someone tap maple syrup from the tree ...
... own a horse - and run off again with no rhyme or reason ...
... walk into an airport and hop a flight to somewhere - without a plan - just a suitcase filled with necessities - you can buy clothing anywhere, really ...

but quite honestly ... all of those dream adventures will have to wait ... i have so many more adventures (however close to home they may be) intended with ... and for ... my girls.

i just don't want to explore anything without them at this exact moment in time. they are the grandest element within my current adventures. i wouldn't want anything less - or more - then the time that i have with them.

15 comments:

~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ said...

In a world of selfish people, I find your blog refreshing because you love being a mom and you don't mind putting your little ones needs above your own.

Sprite's Keeper said...

Oh, I love this Spin! All of my adventures with John and Sprite have been my favorites so far. You're linked!

Peggy said...

Awww, that was so sweet and just what I needed to hear as my three year old cruised out the back door without permission. You just got that little lady out of trouble! She thanks you!

Ginny Marie said...

Shopping and surviving with two little ones! Sometimes that's an adventure I have to cut short in order to stay sane!

Great spin!

anymommy said...

Our adventures have changed in such similar ways. Loved it.

KJ said...

Can you please, please, please explain to me how you get your blog to look so cute with the different fonts and colors. I'm jealous!
Thanks
KJ :D

Shangrila said...

Ive had 3 children, but only one via natural chilbirth (the last one, completely on accident!) I didn't know a person could struggle to leave her own body before that-lol! My recovery from that birth went SO WELL, though that it made me think, "That was totally worth it!" Damn amnesiatic horomones-lol!

LOVED your last paragraph-beautiful!

3 Peas in a Pod said...

Well said. What a beautiful post and so true. Funny how things change.

Much love from NJ,
Sue
xoxo

Kmommy said...

So very well put!! It is funny how one "simple" word can take on whole different meanings.

Casey said...

I feel the same way, I can't wait to start having these sorts of adventures with my kids. And a twelve hour flight? That's my worst nightmare. I stash diapers in the car too and today, we got to take Graham swimming because I had a swim diaper stashed when we needed it.

Pseudo said...

I did the natural childbirth thing twice too...

Christy said...

Great post mama! You have such great perspective on this whole parenting thing:)

Mrsbear said...

Amazing how motherhood changes your life and your perspective. Snorkeling with a two year old definitely sounds adventurous, ditto on Hawaii with a baby. We've done road trips and those were tough enough.

steenky bee said...

This was lovely! I also want my kids with me on every adventure. They make it possible for me to feel alive.

amanda said...

best post ever mama!! truly love it. and you are sooo right about it all!

ps - skimming back over your posts - the balls totally smell!! we had whole classrooms of them at my school - uck!! yes i get they help kids but my goodness the smell is enough to unhelp!!