Huntsville Day Trip

Good Wednesday morning!

If you get a chance today, click on "Nitty.Gritty" under my Blog List and read Jody's post about joy. It will make you think... and be thankful... and look for the joy in this day.

Yet another pic in the Gallery from the Virginia Beach trip for your perusal. It's still the talk of the household, but real life is starting to kick in, and the conversation around the dinner table is slowly, but surely, starting to include other things.

The topic for today continues. It is Josh's turn. The gift that keeps on giving! I've enjoyed thinking about the kids in terms of being a "gift." It brings gratitude and thankfulness to the forefront, and helps put the little things that can drive a Mom CRAZY in perspective.

Gift of Joshua

I've said before, Austin was (and is) my total obsession as my first child. Roxie was (and is) my heart's desire. But Joshua, my Josh, was (and is) my heart. I knew him in a way I didn't know Austin and Roxie... meaning I understood the workings of his little mind very early on. Don't misunderstand. I totally LOVE and ADORE all three of these kids. But Josh and I think alike... bless his heart.

Josh was born the "surprise" way, and weighed in at 9'12" in the wee hours of October 4, 1993. (Again, I will share his "birth" day story in October.) I had complications with each pregnancy, but even before he was born, Josh gave me my first migraine... not my last, but my very first. I also had gestational diabetes with Josh. (NOTE: When I asked the doctor if having gestational diabetes in pregnancy meant I would have diabetes later in life, he said it was a possibility, but it would be much later in life. Since when was 45 considered "later in life" I want to know? I was counting on at least being 80!)

Josh was good and sweet and loved his brother, who in turn, loved him back with a passion. I always say Josh didn't have a personality until he was almost three. He loved EVERYTHING Austin loved.

"What's your favorite color, Josh?"

"Orange," the reply... Austin's favorite color.

"What's your favorite toy, Josh?"

"Dinosaurs," the reply... Austin's favorite toy.

"What's your favorite animal, Josh?"

"Tiger," the reply... Austin's favorite animal.

"What's your favorite food, Josh?"

"Pizza," the reply... Austin's favorite food.

One day while we were coloring, I pulled out two orange crayons for the boys to color two tiger pictures. Josh sat very still, and then slowly pushed the color back to me. "I want black, please," he requested quietly.

"What do you mean you want black?" Austin asked, dumbstruck.

"Black is my favorite color today," he responded. And after that, Josh became his own little person.

Josh has never been the "middle" child. He has always been our second son... Austin's younger brother... Roxie's big brother. And he's very good at all three of these roles. Does he get on our nerves sometimes? Yep. Does he know what button to push on each of the remaining Faulkner Four? Yep. Does he know exactly when to stop pushing the button? Uh, no. He is a member of the male species, you know.

Although he has a fairly impatient personality, he also has an uncanny ability to quietly wait his turn. When we started dating the kids when they were very young, he would ask where Austin was going, look me in the eyes and ask when his turn would be, and he would wait until that time. However, if dinner was five minutes late, he would lay face down on the floor moaning until the food hit the table. (See... Just like his Mom. An enigma.)

I think part of what makes his illness so devastating to me is the memory of looking into his eyes and not being able to see "Josh" anywhere. The thought of having "lost" who Josh was for a time is still too overwhelming for me to think about... even now.

The Gift of Joshua is tenacious, stubborn and argumentative. The Gift of Joshua is also courage personified, unwilling to give up when others would have thrown in the towel years ago, fun-loving and desperately trying to be who he knows he still is... somewhere under the OCD.

If I had known 15 years ago what I know now, would I have so willingly accepted the Gift of Joshua? Oh, yes. Definitely, most assuredly, yes. Mike and I believe we were chosen by God especially to be Josh's parents, to help bear his burdens and hurts with him, and to walk beside him during this difficult part of his life's journey. We feel honored to have been given such a special gift those many years ago, and we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world... ever.

He's my heart, you know. I am honored to have been entrusted with him... OCD and all.

Huntsville Day Trip

Huntsville... It's not just for field trips anymore. After doing a little research, I found several things that sounded fun for a Day Trip to Huntsville.

1. U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Although this is a field trip for most schools, I've taken the kids on individual dates to the Rocket Center, and we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Along with the exhibits in the museum, they now have rides (G-Force, Space Shot, etc.) and an IMAX theater which shows footage of astronauts (my favorite!) aboard a space shuttle. It is open from 9:00 to 5:00 daily. It is a little pricey, so if you go, make sure your guys will enjoy themselves in this type of setting. (If you have a four year-old princess who doesn't like space, this is not a Huntsville attraction for you!) Adults - $24.95; children (6-12) - $19.95. (1-800-533-7281)

NOTE: We always like to buy space food in the gift shop for our souvenir. It's fun and different.

2. Sci-Quest - This is a hands-on science museum. The description says you can "take a ride in a tornado, experience an earthquake, or travel through the human body." The main attraction is a giant 3-D theater. You can use touch screen monitors and ask questions, learn facts, and take little quizzes. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00; Saturday from 10:00 to 6:00; and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00. Admission is a little less expensive than the Rocket Center. Adults - $9; children - $8. (256-837-0606)

3. North Alabama Railroad Museum - This sounds great. You can climb aboard a restored antique train and go on a ten-mile trip through the countryside. There is also a museum. They advise you to make reservations. Visiting the museum is free. Train Ride - Adult - $12; children (12 and under) - $8. (256-851-6276)

4. Harmony Safari Park - This is one of only 19 drive-through zoos in the country. (We've been to the one near Callaway Gardens two times and thoroughly loved it.) As you drive slowly through the two-mile strip, you will see zebra, a camel, a kangaroo, deer, ostriches, buffalo, etc. They also have a reptile collection (in enclosures, thank goodness). They are open from 10:00 to sunset daily. Adult - $6; children (under 2) - free. (877-726-4625)

5. Green Mountain Nature Trail - This park is FREE and open all year long. It has more than just walking paths. There are picnic tables scattered everywhere. You can fish in the lake. There is a covered bridge and you will be able to see turtles, woodpeckers, herons and the state's oldest and largest elm tree. There is a 2.25 mile walking trail. (256-883-9501)

6. Cathedral Caverns State Park - If you and your family are not afraid of very deep, dark places, this might be fun for you. The caverns have one of the largest entrances in the world, and it also has the world's largest stalagmite (named Goliath). They have cave tours from 9:00 to sunset. Adults - $10; children (6-12) - $5; children (5 and under) - FREE. (256-728-8193)

As always, pick and choose the activity or activities which would fit your family's likes and dislikes. Because of the cost of several of these excursions, a picnic at Green Mountain Nature Trail might fit the bill. If not, research restaurants in the area and try to go to a local (not a chain) restaurant for one of your meals that day.

And, as always when trying something new, be flexible! If Mom or Dad get uptight, everyone gets tight. (I speak from experience!)

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Josh and Roxie only have three more "official" days of school left, and boy are we counting them down! Tomorrow I have a nice little date for you and your teenager OR you and your spouse. You decide. Decide and then DO IT! (Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. But I'm going to check with each and every one of you next week to see if you are actually doing any of this stuff. Expect my call.)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.