That was necessary

I live for vacations.

I think its genetic because my dad and sister also spend lots of time dreaming about where to go next. Nothing makes me happier than an adventure. I always prefer to travel as a family. When they aren't with me I find I spend a lot of time mentally pointing out things they would love. I have been known to go without them if I must. Luckily this weekend we were all able to take a 5 day mini vacation around Georgia. Once I got Loopy to agree to taking Friday off I went right to work and had us booked and ready to go in a matter of hours. First we had to get through a day of work, Doctor appointments, laundry and packing.

Oh yeah

Like my sexy new shoe? 

My podiatrist appointment! I got a couple new x-rays and it turns out the bone along the outside/
underside of my foot is still broken but healing. That explains the weird bump. I tore the tendon that connects that little broken piece of bone to my ankle so that explains the pulling feeling and soreness in my ankle. I got a walking cast/boot to wear for 3 weeks. Then I head back to the podiatrist to see how its doing. I probably wont need surgery. Yay for that. Ok, so I didn't tell my foot doctor my plans to take a vacation to hike around on a mountain and walk for miles all day long. She didn't specifically ASK if those were my plans so I didn't mention it.

Logan's alone time

Logan usually wake up first on days off and keeps himself entertained. He said he likes the alone time. I sometimes wonder what he does for hours by himself... every once in a while he documents the morning on my camera. I found these little gems when I hooked up the camera to see vacation pictures. 

Getting outta dodge!

Friday we got the car packed up and hit the road. Atlanta is pretty far but thanks to Children's Dramamine for Logan it went pretty smoothly. Kendal has an irrational fear of public toilets. Ok, its not totally irrational, they are way too big for 3yr old butts, sometimes flush when you aren't finished and then there are the hand dryers with jet engine motors.... Anyway, she only had one accident on the way up so I won't complain. 

We pulled up at the Country Inn and Suites around 11pm and the kids were WIDE awake and ready to party. Me and Loopy decided to splurge on a roll away so we wouldn't have to share beds with kids. $20 for a good night sleep without getting peed on or socked in the face by a kid!? Worth every penny. By 1:30am they were out cold. 

Thankfully everyone slept in thanks to extra beds and not going to sleep until WAY too late. We still made it downstairs for free breakfast (barely) 

Relaxing on the porch. 

Apparently it was pumpkin fest, chili cook-off and who knows what else this day at the state park.  

Wait Dad! I have to do some planking!
(how does he know what planking is?)

Stone Mountain GA

Never heard of this place before but it was pretty cool. Its like visiting a mountain with all the tourist stuff and no altitude sickness! This is a huge bonus for us FL people. First stop was the Skyride. Its a giant gondola thing that takes you to the top of the mountain to walk around.

Can we please just leave the rocks? 

Chillin by a tree

Moments before she fell and bloodied both her knees.
Kendal the Honey Badger don't care.

At the summit

Rock Jumping

Logan's mad  camera skills... 

trying to get Kendal to NOT run off a cliff

Once she figured out what is beyond the fence
she was terrified.

Kendal did NOT find these next photo ops funny. She was sure we were about to plummet to our deaths. She kept yelling things like
"NO, THAT TOO SCAREY. SO MUCH DANGEROUS!"
''BAD IDEA! BAD IDEA!!'
"COME BACK DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW. PWEEEEESE"

I almost fell down right after this. Whoa

"Do not pass the fences, they are there for a reason"

I felt bad for giving Kendal a panic attack, so the boys went back out to explore while we went inside and nursed her bloody knees with slushies and popcorn (because she won't use a band-aid.) This is also when we discovered that every bathroom at Stone Mountain has jet engine hand dryers that she is also terrified of. Pee strike for the rest of the day followed.

BREAKIN' THE LAW!

"I wuv that Pete, he's awesome"

Then we met up with my our buddy Pete. He used to work with Loopy here in FL and now happily resides in ATL. We miss having him around though. Kendal loved him and he had a fancy watch! Which she HAD to compare with Daddy's. Logan was too busy doing power slides down a hill to care what anyone else was doing.

I also have video of this. 

We also found a photo booth, kids love the photo booth. I can't rotate this, so just stretch your neck out, you have more reading to do and its good for you. 

Did I mention there was a lot of walking here. I was starting to get a little sore and chafing around the calf area. Power through. MUST FIND TRAIN.

Has anyone seen Logan?

Chewing on a dinosaur.

A sign said that this mountain carving is bigger than the one on Mount Rushmore. To me that means we can check Mt. Rushmore off our list because we've already topped it.

Logan and the mountain carving.

Kendal co-operating for a picture!

 Finally made it to the train. 

Front row seat

Ready to roll!

REALLY EXCITED

Smug Face

Relaxing with a snack... 

Daddy's girl

So. Cute.

oh yeah, some scenery. 

Meeting the Engineer.

 The camera batteries died after this... I wasn't about to walk all the way back to the car for new ones, so I'll just fill you in on the rest.

Late Lunch with a sworm of bees, which was fine thanks to the Bee Movie
Putt Putt Golf (the kids were hilarious and me and Loopy tied)
Kendal was forced to use the scary bathroom. Crying the whole time that she didn't have to, as she was peeing
Found our VIP seats for the fireworks and laser light show
Logan ran around on rocks for 2 hours
Kendal played with her new zoo figurines she found in the toy store
Show started and Kendal begged me to take her home the WHOLE TIME
At the end she said she loved it very much, we should watch it again
Logan overdid it with the rock running, pop corn, and lemonade, cried all the way to the car
Logan puked. So much for avoiding sickness
Back to the hotel and everyone passed out
EXTREMELY grateful for the roll away bed since Logan was sprawled sideways on it and he smelled funny

On the road again

Lets go hoooome. Wanna go hooooome.

The next morning we bathed, showered and got packed up again then headed to meet Pete for breakfasty lunch at Waffle house then on to Tybee Island.

Pete was an extra in a movie this weekend AND he's a stand up comedian. He's gonna be famous, just you wait!!

Tybee Island!

I love this part of GA and could totally live there. Loopy isn't so convinced. Our plan was to do more mini golfing cause the kids had so much fun yesterday. By the time we got checked in at the hotel the putt putt place was closed. Oh well. Dinner time. 

The restaurant we settled on was EASILY within walking distance of the hotel but I am required to walk with a giant boot and it was raining. So, we drove across the parking lot to Stingrays. This place was TASTY!! Loopy ordered a pound of crab legs and peel n eat shrimp.. he apologized several times knowing this would take at least an hour to accomplish. Its all good, not like we had anywhere to be.

By the time we were done eating, the slushie/ ice cream store next door was closed. Logan ordered Key Lime pie and I walked to the gas station with Kendal while Loopy was working on the shrimp. She was content with a box of Lucky Charms. 

Later that night I was sitting out on the patio with Kendal listening to the ocean (on the other side of the hotel) talking about our trip so far. No idea what she was saying, something about transformers and ponies. Lots of sound effects and ' I wuv dat part. Its my favorite.'

Nothin' else to do on a rainy Sunday night at the hotel. Thank goodness for technology. I was too tired to find another adventure.

Rant of the weekend.

Monday morning we had to take Loopy to his Dr. appointment. I was going to hang at the beach with the kids but Kendal was so determined to get home that she would't let us get separated for fear someone would get left behind. Also, I had one of those horrible parent-dreams where the kids get abducted and you can't find them and its horrible and you wake up freaked out and hold your kids hand until you fall back to sleep... I am sure it was just because Ben is missing and it's on my mind.. But I decided that a hospital waiting room would make us all feel more comfortable. Then things got a little stressful.

We were at the hospital cafe waiting for Loopy. Its right next to his Dr's office. I set them up in a corner with their toys and books and went to get my coffee and breakfast for everyone. I got to the front of the line and Kendal had to pee. Automatic flush sensors are a mom's worst nightmare. She jumped up mid steam and ran out of the bathroom. Got settled in back at the cafe, had to pee again. Brought a brochure to cover the sensor. Success. Back at the cafe I sent Logan to get a scone and she had to go again but was screaming cause she didn't want to. The old lady at the desk stopped me while I was running with a peeing toddler to ask me if I have someone in surgery. I must have looked at her like I was ready to kill and she said "this area is surgery waiting only" I muttered something obscene at her and kept walking, yelling to Logan I'd be right back. Seriously woman? No coffee, inconsiderate crabby old hag, soggy pants, Grumpy mom. I should have handed her the peeing toddler so I could go put the toys away and get our snacks (that we payed for IN THE CAFE) cleaned up. 

When we got back to our seats, Logan had his scone and was patiently waiting for us. I told him we have to pack it up because we got kicked out. He said he was being REALLY good and quietly reading his book and eating. I explained it was because this is apparently the surgery waiting room. (with a bar stools filled with doctors, nurses, an espresso bar, bakery, and grand piano) So out to the car we went.. Kendal refusing to walk in wet pants, me without clean ones in my purse, carrying soggy butt, coffee, and a backpack... 

Loopy's appointment went well. 

Home at last.

Potty trauma aside, we had a great time. My kid are homebodies and really happy to be home. Kendal immediately ran to the bathroom. I am pretty sure she hugged the toilet. Logan instantly stripped to his undies and turned on the Wii. Moments later it was like we never left. 

Back to the grind!

This week is ridiculous.

Seriously.

This has been one of the most emotionally draining weeks I have had in a long time. Extreme happiness followed by terrible news, followed by great news, immediately followed by less awesome news and so on. All intermingled with the usual goings on of child rearing and family maintenance. I'll try to start where we left off. Bear with me.

Friday. Guys night out.. sort of

I've mentioned that Loopy is an amazing guitarist. A couple years ago he was in a group called Category 5. The former members were performing at a local beachy bar so I decided it would be fun to go see the old crew. They have since changed the name to Dewy Rose (the story behind that name is pretty funny) Loopy isn't into the bar scene and fell asleep on the couch, so I asked our friend Ian to go. His wife Jessica is currently in MI and about to become and aunt. (YAY!!) 

LEEEEAN to the left. 

So Ian was excited to go and our friends Grubbs and Scott  were at his house and were also down for some entertainment. So we had in impromptu guys night out. 

These boys don't hold back.

After some sing a long action and greasy drunk food at Denny's I came home to upload these awesome pictures but my laptop charger died. Can I just say that I hate sharing Loopy's computer? If he's not home, a kid is playing games or watching "Fail" videos on youtube. PLUS he has this ergonomic keyboard that is just wrong. I can't find any of the right keys on there, ever. 

Saturday is cleaning day!

I haven't been able to clean my floors or do regular house work for 3 weeks now. That means that it just hasn't been done. I got sick of picking crumbs, tape, and unidentifiable stuff off my foot brace so I decided this has to get done. Kendal was super excited to help. 

Kendal was the one to forget pants this day.

With a little encouragement from Happy Green Monster she did a great job.. on that one spot for a long time.

 

End of weekend.

Sunday morning Logan woke up early to make me coffee. He LOVES to make my coffee. He told me that he put extra love in every spoonful. I really believe he did because it was perfect. I am pretty sure he has potential to be the best child ever in the world.

Sunday night I remembered that he was assigned a 'Life Timeline' project 2 weeks ago that I didn't get around to starting with him. So that took up most of our evening. Until this blog and facebook status updates I didn't record anything that happened in his young life.
When did he first roll over? I dunno.
When did he sit up on his own? I dunno.
When did he start walking? hmmmm.
I know when he got potty trained! We'll put that on there.
I admitted my laziness on facebook and all the other 1st grade moms from his school also put it off until the last minute. It always makes me feel better to know I'm not the only procrastinator.

Monday again.

Here's where things start to get interesting. I finally got a referral to a podiatrist. YAY. But the appointment is not until November 5th. BOO. I told them my situation and they simply could not get me in sooner. I called Dr. Feelgood about a orthopedic referral because that is what everyone told me I should do. I didn't get a reply. I probably forgot to leave my name in the message or something stupid like that. They close at 2pm so... figuring out how to NOT walk on a broken foot for another month will have to wait. 

I gave up on getting anywhere with that nonsense so me and Kendal went outside to blow bubbles instead. 

Apparently when Logan was suppose to be making pictures for his 'Life Timeline' on Sunday he was drawing happy feet. So him and Kendal decided to put on a puppet show for me. 

It occurred to me Logan is off school Thursday and Friday. We were talking about making Loopy's appointment in Savannah on Monday a family thing.. Now I have a strong urge to take a long weekend to see fall colors. I have an amazing ability to plan a memorable vacation for any number of people to any town in the country in 10min or less. By that evening I had talked Loopy into taking Friday off and booked a long weekend vacation in Stone Mountain GA then over to Tybee Island in time for his appointment on Monday morning. I consider this a huge win. 

Later that night me and Loopy were on the back porch enjoying a glass of wine while discussing our big plans. The kids were playing relatively nicely together and we relished in the moment. Kendal came skipping outside and very clearly asked Loopy to put his wine into her sippy cup so she can drink it all gone. We are in trouble with this girl, I'm tellin' ya.

I did not like Tuesday. Not. One. Bit.

Tuesday I got up and fired up the desktop beast and checked my usual emails, blog stuff, facebook ect. After some quick stalking and poking around I discovered that my friend Ben was reported missing on Sunday. PLEASE read more about that HERE and HERE. Those are links to information about Ben and also, on a personal note, it deserved its own post.

Then I picked Logan up from school and had a big long note from his teacher that he doesn't do his writing work. Seriously what the heck does my kid do for 2 hours at school instead of his work? He has an hour before and an hour after lunch to complete an assignment that takes him 10 minutes at home. When this started happening a couple weeks ago I suggested that he miss recess when his work isn't done. That was definitely not effective. He blames the kids around him for talking too much. His teacher says he looks around the room or stares into space. *sigh* I got some great input from other parents, teachers and friends about ways to help him focus. He can write anything, spell anything, read anything. Just has a lack of motivation.. then again, we all must remember that he is 6.

Things kept going downhill from there...

Kendal is slowly and sneakily dragging everything she owns to the office and living room.. Then running like a psycho through the house throwing and scattering figurines, animals, play food, dinosaurs and everything else everywhere. Its been going on ALL day. She has dumped her Little People box on the living room floor and is throwing them over the couch yelling "WATCH OUT BELOW" and "BOMBS AWAY" Maybe we should cut back on Pirates of the Carribean viewings. 

Loopy is working late. It is 8pm and I just made a fresh pot of coffee. My patience is wearing thin. Only a couple more hours and they'll all be sleeping, right?

Two hours later....

KENDAL! STOP GOING TO THE BATHROOM!!!! THERE IS NO MORE PEE!!!!!

One hour later...

Find a happy place.

Screw it, I'm switching to Sangria.

Heres my happy place and all the dishes I plan to ignore
until at LEAST tomorrow.

I spy bagel chips, a burnt out candle, a magazine I can't afford to purchase from, a rock, an ankle brace, broken crayons, unfinished homework, 24 hours worth of dishes, and the magic that makes it ALL turn invisible: BOGO sangria from publix!!

Then this cheered me right up. It helped me realize I am not the only one with crazy children and endless things to maintain. Its sheer genius and I agree with EVERY word. Stick with it past the ads. SO worth it.

Parents rap about maintaining their household by videosonlytube

Loopy left work at midnight. I am not sure what the major emergency was or what kept him there for 16 hours but it better not become a regular thing again. I won't say anymore about that right now. It never ends well. 

Every week!

I find myself saying is it REALLY only Wednesday!? 

We have a morning routine when we get up. First, we make coffee. Then we brush our teeth. Sometimes when we brush our teeth Kendal brings tiny animals. Today she decided that her "long neck dinosaur" and "littlest elephant'' needed a bath. So she filled the sink and splashed away while I did her hair. I was looking at my handiwork in the mirror when I noticed the sink was too full. I though to myself 'luckily there is a safety drain on sinks'. I looked at my pretty little girl in the mirror, then down at the safety drain hole and saw some very long ugly spikey insect legs reaching up around the edge of the drain. After making an involuntary noise I told Kendal her animals were clean, all done. Curiosity got the best of me and I went back after coffee to investigate. 

Scorpion Butt

Later tonight Loopy found him chillin' on the drain again. Egads. 

Hello Sir.

Today I got a barrage of phone calls that I have been waiting for. Staples called to tell me my laptop charger finally came in. YAY!! I got a hold of a couple orthopedic doctors in the area who said they don't take care of broken feet. So I called a couple podiatrists and found one that can take me tomorrow. YAY!! 

We headed to Staples to get the charger where she had the happiest freak out ever because she found a container of sour gummy bears on display. She made a HUGE scene jumping up and down yelling "I FINALLY FOUND THEM MOM!! THEY ARE HERE!! Oh I just love these gummies, please put them here, pay for them, eat them all gone. I love this so much. I hug them. I won't drop them like this (drop) Oh, that bad idea. I'll put them here and pay them." All this in painfully cute bouncing up and down preschooler voice with pigtails flying. If I didn't buy them, the old lady next to me at the register would have. Guess who got a big ass box of gummies?

After passing ALL the gas stations, restaurants, and stores, she said Mom, I have to pee. So we stopped at my friend's consignment shop to use her bathroom. While I was there my girly doctor called to let me know my thyroid ultrasound results are in. I have nodules on my thyroid. WTF are nodules you say? Go google it. I have to see 'Hot Doctor' the ENT on Tuesday to figure out what to do about that fiasco. But they were sure to inform me that she doesn't do Thyroid surgery, so if it has to be removed they will refer me elsewhere. Wait, what? One. Thing. At. A. Time.

Then we went to get Logan

Logan: Mom, I got all my school work done and got a 'good' today. I got to play at recess. Then this girl in my class took a book from the library without asking and when I told her I like the book she hit me really hard on the arm with it. I cried and Mrs. Spires wrote all about it in my planner. Can we go on a date tonight because I did my work? And can we stop and get my new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book? And a journal that I can write in? 

Kendal: Logan, I am trying to watch this Pirates of the Caribbean movie, stop talking.

Logan: Look Kendal, I haven't talked to mom all day and I have things to say.

Kendal: Close. Your. Mouth.

After agreeing to date night, getting this dang computer charged, doing the dishes that reappeared this morning. getting everyone drinks and snacks and agreeing on something to watch, I was happily sitting on my comfy couch working away and Kendal brought me her guitar. She wanted me to help her get things out of it. Inside she had stuffed 3 crayons, some paper and a tiny turtle and some dice. It is REALLY hard to get a bouncy ball out of a guitar. When you shake it glitter comes out.

Things quickly got rowdy so I sent them outside to play. I left the bubbles sitting out so in a matter of minutes the kids were all slimy and gross and into the bath they went. Together. Willingly. Weird. I suggested that we all go out for dinner together to a benefit at a local restaurant for a little boy who has cancer. Kendal was not happy that I was talking to dad when SHE was obviously playing with him. She told me to stop talking, close my mouth, and leave the room. So glad she learned to talk. 

SO me and Logan headed to Panera Bread and the book store. 

My kid who can't focus on his schoolwork has already started writing in his journal and blasted through 68 pages of his new book. 

Kendal and Loopy went on a shopping date instead of dinner. Since Loopy needed a couple things and she loves to shop they both came back happy. That's all that matters. 

Its late and I have a lot to do tomorrow. Night all!

Please Help

I don't know what to say. I'm just gonna wing it.

Benjamin Gallas:
6’2″ , 175lbs, brown hair and blue eyes.
Last seen in Bridgman, MI on 9/20
Reported missing to authorities on 9/23

Tuesday morning I found out that my friend Ben Gallas is missing. He was at his mom's house on Thursday and then just left without his stuff. Every redneck blue-collar guy doesn't leave home without his emergency supplies. (pocket knife, little bottle opener, rucksack, ID, phone) Ben left it all behind. Sunday he didn't show up for visitation with his daughter. His ex wife, April suggested they file a missing persons report. Ben never misses his day with Belle. They adore each other.

Benji and Annabelle 

I have known Ben for a long time. I was there when he married my best friend, April. He called me while April was giving birth because I couldn't get there in time. I was in MI within days of Annabelle being born. Me and Loopy are Belle's Godparents. I was the one he called when he was not sure how to handle April. April called me when she wasn't sure how to handle Ben. I listened to them when there were problems and was there for them when they got a divorce. He usually called, texted, or emailed me when something important happened or he came up with one of his harebrained ideas. He called me crying when his best friend died of a heroin overdose. Its been too long since I have heard from him. Something isn't right. I don't like this gut feeling. 

So far they have no leads. He is simply gone. I hate sitting here playing out different scenarios in my head and not knowing. I dread having to go to MI to console my beautiful god-daughter and my best friend because something terrible happened. 

Is he just hiding out at someone's house? Was he abducted? Did he check into a rehab? Is he back on the west coast? Please tell me he didn't really run away with the circus. There are so many questions. 

I don't know how to feel about it. I am pissed off for April. I am devastated for Belle, it is breaking her heart.  No matter how this turns out, she will remember every moment for the rest of her life. I am angry with Ben for making stupid selfish choices. I am terrified that this isn't going to have a happy ending. 

If you happen to be reading this and have seen or heard from Ben, please contact myself or any of these:

Berrien County Sheriff's Department : (269) 983-7141

Baroda Township Police Department at (269) 465-3258

Anyone wishing to leave an anonymous tip or sighting may do so by using *67, and calling (269) 612-7884.  No questions will be asked, and you will not be required to leave a name or number.

For more information click Here

Ben, if you see this. Please just let me know you are ok or if you need help. Right now I don't care where you are. I want to know that you aren't dead.

UPDATE:
Sadly Ben's body was found on his parents property on October 4th 2012. The death was ruled a suicide.Toxicology reports have not been disclosed at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with his family always.