The other day my husband and I decided to take a spur of the moment road trip to Duluth which we had been debating doing for a few weeks and decided it was now or never and just went for it. I very carefully packed everything we needed for the night in just a couple bags and we hit the road. As expected our 4 year old son slept while our 2 year old daughter talked and sang the whole way, she’s never been one to sleep during rides, thankfully it wasn’t screaming and crying. The truck was full of excitement as we drove into town. Little feet ran down the hallway at the hotel full of joy. Shortly after we got our bags in our room we realized we forgot the most important one, the one with the special blankies, pajamas and snow gear which was important because this whole trip was essentially to see the Christmas lights at Bentlyville and of course our love for Duluth. Time froze for a minute, 2 hours one way, there is no way we could go back or have anyone bring it to us. Before fear could set in I announced what was forgotten and how we would fix it and surprisingly the news was taken rather well. During our drive to Target to replace all the items we got to see a side of Duluth we had never seen and never knew so much rested up in those hills. As you can imagine we left with more than we came for and along with those extra items we took with us a memory that made our trip unforgettable. Before we began our next journey we stopped to get a snack and enjoyed watching our daughter drink down a glass of chocolate milk so fast we wondered if she even tasted it, you know you have done that and if you haven’t you should! The new Rescuebot our son picked out of course made everything better and once we were all bundled up, came with us to see the lights. We found parking along the lake, neither distance or the fact that my daughter wanted me to carry her the whole way mattered, it was a beautiful walk. The lights were amazing and the crowd turnout was stunning. It all felt like the time lapse video we took. Going off course avoiding the mile long line to see Santa we got to see a ship come into harbor, which is worth it if you haven’t had the opportunity especially if you have a 4 year old son. To make the long walk back shorter we raced to the truck and in a full sprint to the finish I picked up my almost 40 pound son and carried him, he excitedly announced that we almost won. Next stop was a late dinner and football. All made worth it in the end to watch my daughter savor some vanilla ice cream and cheers daddy with her spoon. It really is the little things that you need to stop and appreciate. A 10pm bedtime for a 2 year old with no nap should I say more? After a failed attempt to get my daughter to sleep in her pack n play I took her in my bed for the first time ever. The pillows I stacked on one side to protect her from rolling off the bed also helped block the light from the bathroom light my son needed on to make the room not so dark. The sleepless tossing and turning we both did was all worthwhile with the occasional “mommy” followed with a snuggle usually after bumping her head on the headboard. Best of all the new blankies were given a warm tear free welcome. In the morning, after rubbing my sleepy, baggy eyes I looked at the time and saw it was 7:30 and opened up the curtains to the most amazing sunrise over Lake Superior. I instantly felt awake and excited for the day. We stopped and had a delicious breakfast and hit the road. To our amazement both of our kids slept, at least for a little while. This all took place on day 2 of my mission to stop complaining. With all of the changes I have made to better myself and live my best life it was brought to my attention that I was forgetting something, something very important, to stop complaining. I feel this trip was a test and I passed. Through every obstacle and trial I didn’t allow myself to complain and it really made me enjoy every moment. The day before this trip I listened to a podcast about not complaining and in one of the stories the lady talked about chipping a fingernail, coincidence or not during this trip I chipped a nail and actually just smiled about it, remembering the story. Later when my finger was rolled up in a window I laughed to the point I cried. If you complain you remain, no matter what it is you are trying to change. It’s not the stuff going on around you that makes you unhappy it’s how you respond to the stuff going on around you. Whether you are going on a road trip or just going about an ordinary day, experience it on No Complaining Street and you will find so much more joy.
BrielleStreet7 