Camping!

About two months ago, we got up the courage to reserve a camping site at a nearby park. Even though we booked the camping trip so far out, I admit that when the time approached I got nervous. Full of anxiety, unable to think through the logistics type nervous. After all, we weren't "camping" like a lot of people do these days, with the plush lifestyle of a camper or pop-up. Nope. We planned on pitching a tent, cooking food over a fire and entertaining two young kids with lots of love and nature.

At last the day was here. In fact, Elliana had a countdown going on for several days and was far more excited about the camping trip than she was about any of the last day of school activities that same day. Our car had been loaded the night before and every two minutes after school, Elliana asked when Daddy would be home so that we could head out. Yes, she was VERY VERY excited. And, witnessing that excitement in her helped erase my fears and concerns about the trip. After all, I take delight in my children and get excited merely by helping them to get excited. :)

Excited to be on our way!

 I admit. Upon getting to the campground, I was less than thrilled. The ground was muddy, Grandma & Papa had cancelled on us leaving us without some crucial supplies and the adult assistance I was so desperately needing to maintain my sanity. Elliana unexpectedly said something along the lines of "Thank you Lord for not raining anymore! I LOVE camping and am so excited to be here!"  Well, that was the reminder I needed to suck it up and remember this trip wasn't about me and what I wanted. We were doing it for her, for Maya and for our family. Those things are FAR more important than my own expectations or even fears.

Elliana helping Daddy set up the tent

 While Daddy and Elliana pitched the tent, Maya and I played in the mud, chased a frog around the campsite and just enjoyed being outdoors. Randomly Elliana and Maya would squeal in delight, just at the excitement of the new adventure and run into each others arms.  I had to let go of my worries, my expectations and even my disappointment or I would miss out on the beauty of it all. The beauty of Elliana and Daddy working together. The beauty of Maya trying to jump like the frog. The miracle of Elliana being okay with getting a little muddy and even learning to enjoy it.

Never before have I seen the girls so excited to just BE with us. No television, no toys even. Just hanging out and talking as a family. I'm so glad I didn't let my worry take away this opportunity.

The rain held off until overnight, allowing us to even have a campfire before heading to bed. During most of the campfire though, Elliana kept saying she was tired and wanted to go to bed. She had been asking since we set up the tent, as she was just SO excited to sleep outdoors. And boy what a good sleeper she was! All the way through the night she slept, through the cries of Maya, the karaoke singer a few campsites down and the steady rainfall on our tent.

Sometime around 4 am we decided we would likely pack up and go home during the day Saturday so that we could sleep in our own beds the next night. Maya was a great little camper, just not a great sleeper. And, that's okay. We did it! We conquered our worries, even when things didn't go as planned. And boy what fun we had doing so!