"How lucky am I?" I thought to myself.
I haven't thought that in quite some time, but Saturday I said that phrase to myself several times. We had a day that felt normal. Finally.
Saturday morning the kiddos and I drove to Norfolk to spend the day with family. The weather was hot but beautiful. Bright blue skies with fluffy clouds. We met up with TT (Jenna), Asia, Uncle Jon, Auntie Emily, Halley, Ava, and JJ at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Asia couldn't stay long because she had to go to work but she was there long enough for me to get in a few good hugs. We hopped on the tram and started our ride through the garden. Now, I love Lewis Ginter but it has nothing on Norfolk. They have the largest rose garden on the East Coast. As we drove by I just inhaled. That sweet, fragrant smell filled my soul. It was like a hug from Toni, a hug that I gladly accepted. There was a Lanterns of Asia exhibit going on so not only was there beautiful grounds to admire but also incredible displays. Scoty loved the dragon and the dog best. When the tram stopped at the children's garden we hopped off. This place was awesome. There were fountains shooting out of the ground for the kiddos to run through. Although we weren't prepared with bathing suits, it was hot and the kids didn't care. It was not long before they were soaked. Except Scoty, he was not sure what to think of the fountains and decided if Mommy wasn't getting soaked then he wasn't either. It was so healing to watch Brit laugh and play with his cousins.
We decided not to get back on the tram but to explore the gardens by foot. (Kids needed to dry) By this time Scoty had decided that Uncle Jon was his new best friend. They played together and explored. Briton and the girls ran and chased each other. We all made jokes and laughed. We spent way too much on lemonade (living high on the hog). It was amazing.
After about 3 hours at the Gardens we decided we were all starving, Jenna suggested a Greek/Italian restaurant near by and we were off. This place had a game room which entertained the older kids while my phone (ie Peppa Pig on YouTube) entertained Scoty while we were waiting on our food to arrive and the grownups chatted. We all decided Den would have loved today. He loved nature and he loved his family, how could he not. The food was so good. I ate mushroom stuffed ravioli with homemade alfredo sauce. I wanted to take a bath in this stuff, it was that good. After dinner we walked across the parking lot to Penguins Snoballs, where Asia works, and got a treat. Uncle Jon played giant jenga with the kids while we all got the occasional brain freeze and enjoyed our frozen treats.
Then it was off to TT's house. Brit brought his football and Uncle Jon tossed it around with the kids outside then everyone came in and played some VR games. That was hilarious to watch. They were pretending to work at a 7-11 type place and an office. Poor kids, they are in for a rude awakening when they really get jobs.
We had the best day we've had since we lost our Den. I am so grateful for Jenna, Jon, and Emily. For those laughing kids. For the sunshine. And for Dennis. He was there, I have to believe that. It was too perfect of a day for him not to have enjoyed it with us.
Love,
Rachael
I haven't thought that in quite some time, but Saturday I said that phrase to myself several times. We had a day that felt normal. Finally.
Saturday morning the kiddos and I drove to Norfolk to spend the day with family. The weather was hot but beautiful. Bright blue skies with fluffy clouds. We met up with TT (Jenna), Asia, Uncle Jon, Auntie Emily, Halley, Ava, and JJ at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Asia couldn't stay long because she had to go to work but she was there long enough for me to get in a few good hugs. We hopped on the tram and started our ride through the garden. Now, I love Lewis Ginter but it has nothing on Norfolk. They have the largest rose garden on the East Coast. As we drove by I just inhaled. That sweet, fragrant smell filled my soul. It was like a hug from Toni, a hug that I gladly accepted. There was a Lanterns of Asia exhibit going on so not only was there beautiful grounds to admire but also incredible displays. Scoty loved the dragon and the dog best. When the tram stopped at the children's garden we hopped off. This place was awesome. There were fountains shooting out of the ground for the kiddos to run through. Although we weren't prepared with bathing suits, it was hot and the kids didn't care. It was not long before they were soaked. Except Scoty, he was not sure what to think of the fountains and decided if Mommy wasn't getting soaked then he wasn't either. It was so healing to watch Brit laugh and play with his cousins.
We decided not to get back on the tram but to explore the gardens by foot. (Kids needed to dry) By this time Scoty had decided that Uncle Jon was his new best friend. They played together and explored. Briton and the girls ran and chased each other. We all made jokes and laughed. We spent way too much on lemonade (living high on the hog). It was amazing.
After about 3 hours at the Gardens we decided we were all starving, Jenna suggested a Greek/Italian restaurant near by and we were off. This place had a game room which entertained the older kids while my phone (ie Peppa Pig on YouTube) entertained Scoty while we were waiting on our food to arrive and the grownups chatted. We all decided Den would have loved today. He loved nature and he loved his family, how could he not. The food was so good. I ate mushroom stuffed ravioli with homemade alfredo sauce. I wanted to take a bath in this stuff, it was that good. After dinner we walked across the parking lot to Penguins Snoballs, where Asia works, and got a treat. Uncle Jon played giant jenga with the kids while we all got the occasional brain freeze and enjoyed our frozen treats.
Then it was off to TT's house. Brit brought his football and Uncle Jon tossed it around with the kids outside then everyone came in and played some VR games. That was hilarious to watch. They were pretending to work at a 7-11 type place and an office. Poor kids, they are in for a rude awakening when they really get jobs.
We had the best day we've had since we lost our Den. I am so grateful for Jenna, Jon, and Emily. For those laughing kids. For the sunshine. And for Dennis. He was there, I have to believe that. It was too perfect of a day for him not to have enjoyed it with us.
Love,
Rachael
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