Day 4. . . Are we there yet?

In the sport of running, there is a term called "hitting the wall". For all of you non-runners, the term represents the time in the race when your muscles are absolutely depleted and your body says enough. I remember all the literature and trainers when I was getting ready for my marathon, always preparing you for the dreaded "wall". Well, today these cross country travelers hit it, and we hit it hard. I decided today that running my marathon was acutally easier than this drive. So unfortunately, I don't think I even have the energy to relate anything amusing. Not that there wasn't anything humerous today, there certainly was. But the day was more full of tears than laughter.
It's amazing to me how much you can think about and process when you're stuck in a car for five days. In some ways it has been good. The Lord and I have worked out some overdue stuff and I have had lots of time to actually listen to the boys. I can't remember the last time I spent this much concentrated time with them, and it is great to see how different they are. In a family this big it is easy for them to be overlooked in the daily business of suburban life. They don't know any other way for a family to function and at times on this trip they actually look surprised when I ask them about something and they get to tell me about it. I guess that is both the benefit and the drawback to growing up in a big family. . . it's never all about you.
So today we did some visiting and a lot of complaining. We comisserated together though and there is comfort in that. At one point today, I think it was somewhere in Indiana, I was driving and listening to music. My oldest son was next to me and he reached over and took my hand but said nothing. He was watching a movie on the laptop, he never even looked over, he just held my hand. I noticed how big his hand has gotten as he held mine. It didn't last a real long time, but it meant the world to me. Adolescents are so funny, trying to find themselves and figure out who they are. I am learning to really cherish the moments when he reaches out to me. I am stunned by how quickly he has grown up. While we were holding hands, I was remembering the day he was born. His dad and I couldn't believe how small he was, his little butt fit right in the palm of my hand, yet now his hand overwhelms mine. He is becoming a man, and a mighty one at that. I cannot wait to see what the Lord intends for him.
The rest of the day, was spent mostly resolving squabbles. Mild ones, thank goodness and at one point there was a full blown wrestling match in the back of the car. It was pretty funny. . . in retrospect that is. I do have to leave you with a few funnies noted on today's drive. Thanks to all of you who have been following along and praying for us this week. It is much appreciated.

Gabe: (with a glasses case clamped to his ear) "I don't want to sing alone!"
Rhett and Aubrey: Rhett: "Is bigfoot a man or a woman?"
Aubrey: "he's male"
Rhett: "how can you tell?"
*I think this conversation was in regard to a character in a video game they were playing. Still, it worries me:)
Keller, Aubrey and Rhett fighting: Brey: "you guys are so immature"
Keller: "Oh yea, well you are soooo mature"
Rhett: "Is Ohio IN Iowa?"
Aubrey: "Mom, is Aubrey short for something?"
Mom: "No, why?"
Aubrey: "Can we shorten it to Aub"
Mom: "Oookay."
Aubrey: "How about Aubster"
Mom: "What's wrong with Aubrey"
Aubrey: "It just doesn't sound tough enough, How about Penske?" (moving truck company:)

Gabe road with T today and gut his very own can of "turkey chew" because he needs it for trucking. (if some of you find this disturbing, its okay, so do I)
Gabe: "Mom, how do you dink a submarine full of blondes?"
Mom: (reluctantly) "I don't know, Gabe, how?"
Gabe: "knock on the door!" (crazy laughing)
Mom: "Do you know you're blonde Gabe?"
Gabe: "I am?"

Good night from Dayton, OH!