My family and I drove into the mountains in North Carolina, then drove to Charleston, South Carolina and back to Charlotte, North Carolina. These were the random thoughts I had along my journey.

1 You and your husband can grow your hair out and both wear pony tails down to your butt when you go out for a nice McDonalds dinner at the truck stop.

2. "Bless your heart" has more than one meaning. And they're actually opposites.

3. The trees are confused in the winter. Some have no leaves on full tree-lined streets and others trees on the next block have decided to keep their leaves. I'm guess it's cuz they remember from last year that it's gonna be 80 again soon.

4. Wholesome does not mean low fat, at all. In the mountains, you can find amazing farm to table restaurants with all organic food and beverages, including all the organic oil and chicken fat you want. But don't ask for cooking spray or you'll be thrown off the mountain.

5. There are some incredible gas stations that have DQ, Wendy's and Dunkin Donuts all in one. My children wanted to live there.

6. If you ever need to shower you can come to the Kwick Pit where they serve dinner AND offer a shower. You just have to wait for your number to be announced.

7. Waffle House is taking over the country. There are more Waffle Houses than Starbucks. But man do they need a branding session with a good designer. You-gull-ee!-ist brand I've ever seen.

8.Neither of my kids have good singing voices and they rarely stop talking unless they're singing.

9. The rest of the country would benefit from having rocking chairs everywhere, too. There's something comforting about them.


10. Cheesy grits and shrimp might sound DISGUSTING but they are AMAZING. Just like how I thought this trip was gonna be a nightmare and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

Dear woman who stuck her head in my car to see what it was like,

I know you were appalled. It was pretty bad. My car is my mode of survival. As a working mom, I throw EVERYTHING I need for the entire day in my car somewhere. Which means, snacks, water bottles, my kids necessities for whatever activity that day, workout clothes, work stuff, anything I need to bring to someone or God knows what else. It all starts out nice and neat. (Lie) I mean I put it all in organized compartments. (Lie) And I take everything out each night. (Lie)

The truth is, I mean to and want to keep my car neat and tidy. But that either means I clean it every night or fight with my kids to clean it. I know you think I should do both. I saw it in your judging eyes. But take a peek in my car at 6:30 pm after we get home from activities. The mountain of crap that's piled up and crumbled to the floor is overwhelming. I still need to make dinner. The kids haven't started homework. Everyone smells like taco meat. And I'm likely desperate for a shower, too. Cleaning my car is not my first priority. And fighting my kids, well...let's be honest...homework is a fight that doesn't need any fuel. I say I'll do it in the morning, But then morning comes. Ugh, it's all there waiting for me and I barely have time to make it to work. No time to clean.

So if you peek in my car, on most days, it looks like someone's messy front closet and the crumbs from a Cheese It's bag are having a party. And as much as I'm mortified that there's an old hot chocolate cup from Starbucks in one of the kids cup holders, I'm not gonna beat myself up over it. Something always has to give. So peek away. Cuz I know that somewhere in your life chaos plagues you, too. It has to. No one has it all under control.

This week Scott is in Hong Kong. I can't begin to tell you the ways I've realized he helps me with the kids. So I thought I'd list a few of my failures so far, or as I like to call them: sanity savers:

Hair unbrushed. Realized as we walk to the bus.

Teeth brushed, one night won't kill you.

Showered? Well other countries believe it's bad to shower EVERY day.

Anyone had a vitamin today? Nope.

Sure, Sami, you can pull your pants out of the dirty clothes.

Dishwasher rehash cuz of time constraints on unloading. Lie. I was just too tired.

Yes you can skip dance today.

What laundry?

Beds were slept in perfectly. Why make them this week.

If you have any concerns, I assure you they are valid. However we are all fed, no one smells and at least their underwear is clean. I think. :/