Vacation... not really

You know how you have those thoughts of "can it get any worse?" and then is usually does. That was my recent "supposed to be" vacation. So picture a fully loaded Honda Pilot complete with the escargo carrier on top traveling from DC to FL. We decided to drive through the night so that the kiddos (all 4 of them 5 years old and younger) could sleep while we were driving hopefully making a quieter easier ride. We pack up and try to miss the traffic rush out of DC and did a pretty good job. Had a quick dinner with lots of energy and giggles from the very excited kids. Just shy of the NC border the puking starts from the 4 year old in the car. His parents quickly dissmiss it hoping that he is car sick... but then it continues... every 15 minutes... till about 3 am when my 17 year old sister decided to join in on the fun and start puking again. After a a few hours of sleep and kids kicking me we got back on the road only to have the two continue to puke. At that point what I would describe as "world war 3" broke out in the car and after many tears and debating it was finally agreed that we would stop to avoid bringing the sickness to my 91 year old Grandma. After spending the night in Jacksonville and everyone recovering and lysoling my car about 3 times we continued on. I have to admit that getting there and surprising my grandmother was worth every disgusting minute. But then the weather wasnt the really warm Florida weather that I was craving and my Uncle who cares for my Grandmother started not feeling great. On the day I was supposed to leave My Uncle was not looking great and my Grandmother looked at me and begged me not to leave her there alone with my Uncle. After some convincing I ended up driving him to the ER and he was admitted to the ICU as his blood sugar level was over 1100! So it was decided that I would stay behind with my kids and care for my Grandmother and Uncle. After a few days he was starting to improve and he was released. I ended up picking him up from the hospital late at night and driving him all over to try and get the medication that he needed. So it was after 1 am by the time that I got to bed. So the next morning I was trying to have the boys play on the bedroom floor and I hear a crash and my Grandmother yelling for me. I ran out and couldnt find her. Finally found her on the bathroom floor with more blood that I had ever seen. She had tripped getting into her bathrobe and had falled and smashed her face into the side of the tub. So another trip to the ER and a broken nose later. I was driving home from the ER with a raccoon like grandmother and all of a sudden I see the blue flashing lights in the rear view mirror. Of course! Luckily with the raccon like crature next to me I was able to get off with just a verbal warning. I thought at this point that it was all over and that my bad luck couldnt keep going but no of course not and I ended up in the emergency room a third time with my grandmother having a horrible headache and while there everyone in the ER recognized me at this point and questioned my Grandmother if I was treating her well or not. So all in all my vacation was hardly a vacation and as I was finally climbing on the plane to come home I was fighting off the "can it get any worse" and checking the plane for signs of mechanical malfunctions as we were preparing for take off. Even when we landed I was waiting for my luggage to be lost but it made it! It seems like this trip to Florida was just out to get me and I could be negative about everything that happened but I choose to be positive and think about how horrible it could have been had I not been there to help out! It also showed me just how strong I can be!