2.) That one time you went camping.
I looked at my husband and I was all, “Hey I realize you’re in a grumpy mood this morning, but I do not deserve your negativity! You’re putting me in a bad mood and I was excited to go camping dammit!”
So he pulled himself together.
Three hours off schedule of course, but still. We were going camping.
My own memories are filled with searching the beaches of Birch Bay for crabs with my cousins and uncle, bike riding through trails and twisting roads, staying up late to play faux poker with candy chips instead of real money.
I don’t remember dirt seeping into every crevice of everything. I don’t remember walking to a community bathroom at 3am where wild bears might swoop in and kill me. I don’t remember getting my only pair of shoes wet because I couldn’t be bothered to take them off before running into the ocean.
I don’t remember any of those things because this past camping trip was the first camping trip I had been on as The Mother. You’re not concerned about dirt and late night potty trips and wet shoes when you’re The Kid. You just show up and have fun.
I blew up our queen sized air mattress that first evening and snuggled in with my three cherubs. I listened to husbands talk around the campfire as I settled in. And an hour later still talking. And an hour later still talking.
I heard my brother in law mention something about money and did you ever think maybe being a millionaire just can’t possibly be in your cards because Jesus has other plans for you and he knows you’ll mess everything up if you have that kind of money?
I realized in that moment that I could never be a millionaire because Jesus knows I would give a bunch of that money to my sister and brother in law and apparently he doesn’t WANT my brother in law to have that money. So I felt pretty angry at my brother in law for screwing that up for me.
I said a silent prayer to Jesus promising not to give my brother in law any money if he could please still make me a millionaire and just use my brother in law for whatever it is he’s supposed to do as a poor man.
And before I knew it all of the air had been depleted from our cozy mattress. I don’t know if that was a return message from Jesus or just bad luck, but I suddenly found myself feeling agitated with the late night campfire talkers compounded with the discomfort of the very painful rocks beneath my back. And the three children crammed into my sides. Unable to move.
On rocks.
Pain.
I believe it’s sinful to want to punch men in the face while they discuss Jesus…even though you’re tired and laying on rocks and not anywhere close to being a millionaire.
The next morning I looked at my husband with that “I slept on rocks and it’s all your FAULT!” look we sometimes give our husbands when we need someone to blame our problems on and he was all, “Hey I realize you’re in a grumpy mood this morning, but I do not deserve your negativity! You’re putting me in a bad mood and I’m excited to be camping dammit!”
So I pulled myself together.
Follow me on Instagram for more fun camping photos…next time I’m finding a cabin.
Karen and Gerard says
Camping as a kid sounded way more fun than as the mom. Ha, ha. Me, never been camping for real. Closest thing to it for me was spending one night in a very small one-room cabin at a church campground with no heat. It was COLD and I slept in my clothes, shoes and my coat!
Dianna says
That deflated air mattress had to have been so uncomfortable. Laughed at your recount, though, and your photos are great!
(I’ve never been camping…unless you count an RV…that was as close as I care to get…)
Hot Mess Princess says
I’m so grateful I’ve never had to go through this experience! LOL. My own camping experience as a child happened only once…and I’ve lived the rest of my life enjoying the experience of not camping. :-)
Missy says
Too funny. I remember a lot of things being way more fun when I was a kid compared to being the mother. Snow comes to mind as one of those things.
Andrea says
Terence,Awesome photo’s. I love the detail of B&W, esllicaepy of people.Question, is there any chance of using one of your photo’s for a photo journalism project that I have to do for my photography club. My plan is to take a photo at the bottom of the towere and then use my 500mm lens with a 2x tele from Crescent Heights for a photo of the top. My theme is safety and I would plan to superimpose a small version of one of your photo’s into one of mine (with credits of course).Thanks,David AtkinsonBus tel: 403-268-2563Cell: 403-852-1613
Dana says
I went camping two times as The Mother and that was enough for me. Now my idea of camping is a Hampton Inn. It’s been forever since I linked up; glad to be joining you again!
Kerry Ann says
One: it IS just really weird going camping as “The Mother.” When did we become grown-ups?
Two: air mattresses are just sneaky like that. They work FINE at home, but the minute you’re alone in the woods, they turn on you.
Tracy P. says
LOVE these pictures and this story. I know both Jesus and your mom are happy that you paid it forward to your kids. I sure hope your mom reads this! :-)
Kim says
Camping is designed to make you appreciate indoor plumbing, a queen-sized mattress, and the vacuum cleaner.
And you’re right, it’s fun when you’re a kid – and mosquito bites, sharp rocks between your shoulder blades at bedtime, and dirt when you’re the mother.
And despite the work and the mess? If someone called to say they had the equipment ready to go, I’d be off to a campground in a New York minute.
Emily @ My Pajama Days says
I could not stop laughing at this: “I realized in that moment that I could never be a millionaire because Jesus knows I would give a bunch of that money to my sister and brother in law and apparently he doesn’t WANT my brother in law to have that money. So I felt pretty angry at my brother in law for screwing that up for me.”
Great post! We were not an “out-doorsey” kind of family, but more of a museum and academia kind of family. But my husband’s family was completely rough and tumble. He took me camping with the kids and a group of friends.
Once.
: )
Laurie @ Pride in Photos says
Well camping either brings out the best in you or the worst, I have always been a big believer in this. You my friend, made me laugh my head off with this story. You always have such a great way with words.
Marie at the Lazy W says
hahaha!! Excellent, wonderful, hilarious. Loved the tight little silly circles. And I do think sometimes Jesus answers us with deflated air mattresses. LOL Well done! xoxo
Southern Angel says
Oh no I never use an air mattress, though my back would love me more if I did. I make a thick pallet of blankets and my sleeping bags.. seriously. The dirt doesn’t phase me, I would rather be by the river than anywhere else…
Caroline says
So impressive that you were both able to pull yourself together on cue. I love your pictures. Especially the sunset, you fishing with your son and the ballerina pose. I can’t believe you can look so beautiful while camping. That is *rockstar* awesome!
Carrie says
I have yet to go camping as A Mom but my oldest has been talking about sleeping in a tent so I suspect it will be happening eventually :)
Teresa says
I’ve never been camping but I might be willing to give it a try just to have a story as funny as yours to tell. I laughed at your millionaire story…I’ve been giving Steeler Fan a similar reason for us not winning the lottery :)
BalancingMama (Julie) says
For a minute I thought you were going to write about the glories and comforts of sleeping in the woods… thanks for keeping it real. I went camping – literally ONCE. And I don’t know if anyone could pay me to do it again!
pattisj says
At least you got some gorgeous photos from your camping trip. What a brave soul you are!
Kristy @Loveandblasphemy says
I believe it’s sinful to want to punch men in the face while they discuss Jesus…even though you’re tired and laying on rocks and not anywhere close to being a millionaire.
That is the best line! Love it!
Becky Peterson says
Your camping experience totally cracked me up! You totally put it in perspective and I had a major AHA! moment as I definitely do not remember camping being so difficult as a kid. I am so glad I found your blog…good stuff! ~Becky
Jessica says
My son wants to go camping, and since we live near several camp sites, I figure he and his dad can stay overnight and I’ll just join them during the day and then go home. I like being outdoors, but not when sleep (or bathing) is involved. Glad you had fun! And Jesus totally wants me to be poor, too. Don’t feel bad. :)
Andrea says
Yes I’m pretty sure it’s called Glamping. But it should be called camping for those that want the experience and not the exhaustion. We leave in two weeks. :)
Tracy P. says
P.S. PLEASE tell me you are going to frame that silhouette of Kainoa’s eyelashes. Stunning. Truly.
Kristen R. says
I haven’t been brave enough to go camping with my 3-year-old yet. But I had great memories of getting lost in the woods as a kid. I’m sure they weren’t so great for my mom.
Mama Mary says
Your pics are amazing and yes, you really should be pissed at your BIL for screwing up your chances with Jesus and that million dollars!
Donetta says
This is a wonderful post. I am still laughing about Jesus and your brother-n-law. Seemed like a reasonable request to me; you did promise not to give him any money. lol. Your husband using your words were too funny. Sounds like all in all you had a great time and made some memories.
May says
That camp site is just gorgeous nestled in among those towering trees. I can only camp so long before going psychotic, but I would definitely risk it there!
Blythe says
Go camping in a YURT! That is the key. The kids and I went hurting at Grayland Beach State Park and it was magical. (And there was a corgi convention, but that was just a bonus). EVERYONE– all four kids, plus me– had a wonderful time.
Julia says
I’ve never really camped but I always think it would be fun minus the bugs and sleeping on rocks of course.
just JENNIFER says
I love this post! Love the way you wrote it, the point about camping as a kid vs. an adult….the photos!
The camping experience I wrote about was many years ago, and it’s sorta awkward.
mithriluna (Mar) says
THIS is hysterical and so what the camping experience is like! I love the way you write. So real. Your pictures are wonderful.
I am definitely a spoiled camping mommy. We own a travel trailer but our large family fills every cavity of it. I am planning to try tent camping at a campground I just recently discovered near the beach (no RVs). I’m willing to give it try because the location is incredible and for $20 bucks, I think I can handle that (yes, unknowingly I probably have a family member ruining my chances of becoming a millionaire too).
Jenny says
So funny, but not. I have been there done that with a air mattress accept we were in a hotel room where the carpet underneath felt like straight up concrete.
The last time I went camping was the hottest fourth of July on the record books for Florida. Never Again…. I will only go camping if it involves a camper with AC and it’s own bathroom ;)
Alexandra says
I have never liked camping, but I’d go as one of your kids.
xo
Jennifer says
Camping, the thing that always sounds like more fun that it actually is.