Welcome to the Jungle:

I have family in town :) I'm really very excited to have guests, I enjoy it-especially when it's family.

Some family had arrived early (group 1), and while we waited for group number 2 we hit the strip. We thought we'd take an hour or so to see the Bellagio fountains and maybe get some ice cream at the Venetian. Sure, adults were outnumbered 3:1 and we had 3 strollers full of tired babies (who quite frankly did the best) and the motivation of dessert was walking our feet only 4 hotels away...thank you Guns N' Roses for expressing a little of what we experienced.

Did I mention each hotel is a stinking mile long (exaggeration for emphasis)?! It was a great plan, but not fool proof. We were tying shoes every five minutes, picking up blankets every three, telling children to keep hands in pockets every two, and pleading every one for children to not run off in the crowds. What a harsh environment, we should have stopped after the fountains. I don't know what I was thinking walking my family through Spring Break crowds at the Strip.

The fact is I have amazing in-laws, I especially respect and look up to the women in my family. I guess considering my amount of respect and the expectation for perfectly obedient children I just bit off more than I could chew. We ended with a too tired day, everybody was hungry and tired and we should have stopped after the Bellagio Fountains.

On a side note, I did learn a few lessons:

1. The motivation in helping my Sister-in-law keep her children happy was astounding. I was tired, yes and my feet hurt just like everybody else's, my stomach ached with hunger for real food, and I was constantly worried for Emma's tired outburst, but all I wanted was to help while my Brother-IL was out of town. I placed no value on my discomforts much longer than I normally would. I was surprised with myself. I know I struggle with being selfish but I almost made it 1 full day unconcerned with my needs (that's not to say my better judgement was listened too though, we still spend too long at the Strip).

2. I had an honest and interesting talk with a couple nephews who drove back to the hotel with me from the Strip (we're talking 7 & 8 years old). Nephew 1: "Las Vegas is full of bad things, we are suppose to avoid bad things. Lot's of people aren't wearing appropriate clothes."

Nephew 2: "Yeah, I don't understand why there are so many bad things all around."

I proceeded to lightly explain the natural curiosity human beings have with no clothing. I was able to share my testimony that just because we are curious and interested doesn't mean we should give in. The Lord has asked us to practice overcoming those curious things that are wrong. We all agreed the LV Strip is not an easy place to be and maybe next time we'll stay at home and swim :)