"We Don't Talk About That"

What was once the dread of my day... the 30 minute commute to and from work, has slowly shifted into something I look forward to almost daily.

I remember this time last year, just thinking I didn't know how long I could take it. The commute alone was making me a crazy person. Macie had a somewhat volatile attitude, she demanded certain music and LOUD too, would randomly throw her drink up to the front seat, would drop her snack, cry and scream, and there were more than a couple times I thought I might just start crying myself - in fact, I do believe I had a good cry session once. It was definitely not a way to unwind after a long day at work.

It's taken just about a year to get over this hump. Yes, a year. But I think I might just have a system down.

Every day after school, she knows that sliced apples and cold vanilla milk are for her enjoyment for the ride home (after she confirms that she will not spill nor pour the milk out). And we talk! We talk about what she did that day, we talk about what she learned. Yesterday she told me that they saw TWO worms outside, and Hudson picked them up! EWE! She catches me up on the things she has learned. Like how she can count to 10 in spanish, and she knows her colors too! We talk about going "pee pee in the potty" (she's not there yet) and maybe "poo-poo" will come up in the conversation, but it's always followed by "We don't talk about that!"

Sometimes she plays on her "blackberry" - which by the way is a miracle worker, and probably one of the best gifts ever! (It's a leap frog toy - looks like a blackberry, and that's what we call it! BIG THX Damien and Dawn!)

The funny thing is that now that Macie and I have a mutual understanding - and we are both HAPPY, we can actually enjoy the scenery! Which, by the way, is simply gorgeous! We pass cows, and horses, and goats, and ponies, and even a mama and baby buffalo. We go through winding roads with few stoplights. The leaves are changing, and I am so incredibly GRATEFUL for my blessings! We are TRULY blessed, and this gift has been right in front of me for the past year on these commutes. It's an amazing display of the Good of God, which I may not have recognized because I have been somewhat distracted by the blasting music, the unhappy camper, and the spilled milk in the back seat.

Lately I have been driving and I think, I need photos of this commute! And so, one day, I took a couple with my phone. (Only one was taken while the vehicle was moving - I know Gina will worry).