Mount Nebo
It was once again time to load up and head to northwestern Arkansas for our annual family weekend in the cabin at Mt Nebo. We have been going in the fall for the past 11 years or so. Back to loading up. We take everything but the kitchen sink and I almost mean that literally. Food, check. Lawn chairs, check. Hiking sticks, check. Tennis rackets, check. Cameras, check. More food, check. Clothes for all weather, check. Clothes for all activities, check. Hats, check. Multiple pairs of shoes, check. More food, check. Games, check. Prizes for games, check. Ex Husband, check. What? Go back. Ex Husband? Yep, took Too Tall to Mount Nebo this year and there is a completely logical explanation. Keep reading.
Mount Nebo took on some special meaning this year. We are all getting older and the trip is getting harder. We came to the conclusion that this might be our last hoorah going to the mountain on Columbus Day weekend. We have been booking the cabin for Friday-Tuesday and unfortunately, those days are not working like they used to. First of all, my kiddo is no longer getting any days off from school for this holiday. Secondly, Hubby always has a Professional Development Day and cannot miss, which means I have been going solo for the past few years using my personal days at work. I am a pretty conscientious teacher and don’t like being out of my class, but I make the exception for family. Mom and Dad driving the 7 hours isn’t as easy as it used to be. Decisions had to be made. I could go with Boy and we could leave Monday like we did last year, which is a day early and I could cry all the way down the mountain because my Mommy and Pops were still at the cabin, or we could risk Hunter losing his exemption from Semester Tests because of the number of absences and create a real hardship on him with make- up work or, I could be selfish and say I am staying until Tuesday and Too Tall can drive to Arkansas and pick Boy up and get him home for school Tuesday while I stay on the mountain. I was joking. Sort of.
Before I go any further into the story, please know that I had 100% support of my Hubby before any decisions were made in regards to Too Tall coming on this trip. Too Tall and I have been apart for 10 years but we have a great relationship. Hubby knew how important this trip was to me. He knew how much it hurt having to leave early last year. He spoils me. He would do anything for me, other than missing a Professional Development day at work to go on this trip. (Sorry, couldn’t resist Honey! All future travels will occur during Thanksgiving. We didn’t rebook the cabin for October)
After several versions of how this would work out, Too Tall ended up driving my car to the mountain with Boy as his co-pilot and me sitting in the backseat like the princess that I am. We followed my sister, Mom and Pops. Awkward, but great. Everybody is getting what they wanted. Too Tall gets a vacation. Boy gets to hang out with his Dad and share the experiences of hiking and eating that have defined this weekend for years. I get to spend precious time with Juju, Mom and Pops and other visiting family members. Oh yeah, family. We always have aunts, uncles, cousins that stop by to visit. Explaining Too Tall’s presence was easier than you might think. Let’s face it. I dated a lot before I settled down with Hubby and my family had met at least 2 other guys that I had brought along on this trip. I just told everyone I was rotating back through and Too Tall’s turn was up. Just kidding. Just kidding. He was there to take Hunter home early. Simple enough. I have always been told that divorce is harder than death, but when you have a child, divorce shouldn’t mean death to a relationship. We still have a job to do together, raising Boy.
I hope you had a chance to check out our pictures on our facebook while we there. Mount Nebo is magical. This trip was important. I have the best family in the world: Hubby, Parents, Juju, Boy and even Too Tall.
Disclaimer: This blog was approved by Hubby and Too Tall before publishing.
