Nationals

I'm in Orlando. 

I'm sure there are happy people who live here in the magic of Disney, but it is not in my comfort zone. I am happy to be with daughter #2 at the National USA Jump Rope Championship. I never get to chaperone secular trips so this is kind of fun to just be a mom and not a pastor or overly responsible adult. 

I am realizing in these first 36 hours with only two hours of sleep that I have huge gaps of talent.

Things outside my skill set:

• Heat
• Braiding hair on a moving bus
• Standing in line without whining or singing 80s songs
• Sleeping in hotel rooms (even though the hotel room was a welcome relief to the five hours spent in the playroom in the lobby at the Disney Resort). I've given up on germ issues and just wallow in public bathrooms now.
• Heat
• Sitting next to a ten year old on a six hour flight who chomped his gum and kicked me the entire time. Around 2:00 am I believe I might have stared at him with some disdain because he curled up closer to his mother.
• Watching Men In Black 3 without weeping through the whole thing because I know in the end his dad dies. Maybe that's why the kid kept kicking me on the plane.
• Heat
• Sitting still and waiting for something to happen
• Following directions
• Listening to Mickey Mouse's voice in the playroom for five hours while trying to sleep without screaming or punching the screen.

Coping skills:

Coffee: I packed a coffee maker and 24 oz. of ground coffee. I think this will see me through the trip. It might be an addiction, but it keeps me from punching Mickey.

Sleep: I know the power of naps. I also know that I have to bring my own sleeping pad, pillow, and sleeping bag. I'm a freak, but I've figured out how to sleep as a freak.

Humor: I'm so slap happy that I'm laughing at pretty much everything that comes my way. It's a little disturbing for the people around me, but that keeps them questioning my sanity.

Mr. Potato Head and 80s songs: We're staying at Pop Century Resort, which has gigantic icons from each decade peppering the lawn. We're sleeping in the 80s section so Ah-ha, Men at Work, Wham, Cyndi Lauper, and all the other greats are playing on loudspeakers a regular basis. It prepares me well for the line standing. 

There is a huge Mr. And Mrs. Potato Head in the middle courtyard. They are fabulous, but I knew I was getting loopy when I caught myself talking to them. Then I realized how comforting I found their presence. Then I started to think about what a fascinating image for God Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head could be. Then I went to my room and got my two hours of sleep.

Skee ball: What can't be fixed with skee ball? Way cheaper than therapy and available in our hotel for only a small fee.

Perspective: I get to step out of all the other roles in my life that consume me and be a mom to just one child and a goofball to several others. It's a huge gift even with heat and a heightened awareness of alligators.