One of the most wonderful feelings we experienced in our early years of adoption was watching the expressions on our children's faces, when we took them on vacation to new places they had never been before.

I remember the first in state vacation we took the kids on. We went up to my husbands family cabin in Westbranch, Michigan.

The kids were very sleepy when we finally got there and the six hours it took to drive up from down state had them bored to death. So we carried them in and placed them in the spare bedroom and on the couch to sleep.

The next morning. I got up early and made us a big country breakfast with all the trimmings. When the kids woke up and saw the cabin they were very excited. They went running out side to explore. They had never really seen a wooded area before.

They were from the inner city of Detroit. So they had never seen so many trees and open spaces. We decided to take a ride later after breakfast and the kids watched eagerly out the windows as we drove further north.

I will never forget the gasp when they saw the Macinac Bridge. They rang out in unison asking,
"Are we going over that thing?" We replied "Well yes we are."

The excitement filled the air. We took a tour boat over to Macinac Island. Where we walked around and showed the kids the town. Then caught a carriage ride around the island. Listened to the History of how the horses were brought to the island and how they are cared for each year. Then they saw the Grand Hotel.

We stopped back in town just long enough to catch a bite to eat and let the kids watch them make some of the Macinac Island Fudge. We picked up a few gifts
to remember our trip there and we caught the boat back to the main land.

That was the first time we heard the kids say thank you. We were on our way back over the bridge to head to our cabin. The sun was setting. It was beautiful out. Then a sleepy little voice said "Mom and Dad...Thank You for letting me see this bridge."

My husband and I looked at each other and smiled.
We responded by telling the kids it was our pleasure to share with them one of our favorite places to visit in the great state of Michigan.

It is hard to believe that on Monday we are taking Paige up there for a last minute vacation before school starts this year. I doubt she will remember our first trip there when she was just a few months old. It's funny how the old memories are so fresh in my mind...and a new memory will soon be made.

All in one life time of cherished family moments.