We spent the weekend in Charleston with my family.  It was a nice weekend.  My brother was helping my Mother load up to move there on Saturday, so we had Friday night and Saturday (until the evening) to enjoy just as tourists.  We really ended up taking a nice relaxing morning with no schedule.  The kids played with my brother's dog : ) I don't know that they have ever been close to a dog as bog as a Yellow Lab, so that was like Six Flags for them : )  We had brunch and then hit the SC Aquarium.  It was a nice family outing.  We got a great picture of our family there that I will post later.  My little student, Graycen, was her usual self.  I had taken time to print out a schedule of special feedings and events at the aquarium before we left NC, so that we could make the most of our trip.  We sat through one half of the, very interesting, dive show with info about the Sea Turtles and Graycen stands up and says, " Can we please move on?!?!?!?!?!"  The other kids weren't really interested either, so we got up and left the "show".  As we made our way out, Graycen looked up at me and said, " I am sorry Mom, but I didn't come here for a "show".  I came here for FUN!!!"    It cracked me up.  There was a great touch tank where the kids got to hold hermit crabs and  spiny sea urchins.  That was neat, except that my four probably took a few years off of the little creatures' lives by dropping them back into the tank like rocks : P  I would also recommend bringing some towels (and maybe a little antibacterial) if you plan to use the touch tank.  We had wet sleeves and germie-hands for a little while until we found the restroom.

This trip also opened up some communication between my younger brother and I.  He and I were separated when I was 12, so it feels like I am really just getting to know him.  I knew that he had grown in his walk with Christ, but I don't think I had any idea the level to which he had grown. It really is amazing.  He and I were able to talk about painful things from our past and give each other perspective to help us each deal with hurt we each hold and are working hard to heal.  I spent the 4 1/2 hour ride home last night reliving that conversation and I really think that I have learned a lot in just the past day.

So, Happy Columbus Day!