Yesterday morning we left the hotel in Blue Springs and headed straight to Starbucks. It was almost 10am. I had had a hard time getting movin’ and we were definitely lagging! Graham texted to ask where we were. I had just parked the car at Starbucks so I texted him that we were at the very place we had kissed them goodbye and that I was just about to order my coffee and hit the road.

Anyway, I got the coffee, climbed back in the van and drove out onto the road. As I passed the very next plaza I noticed a sign: Lamar Donuts

The plaza reminded me of a donut shop {Jet Donuts} that had been around the corner from my home growing up. I had to stop. Had to.
Besides remember what this trip is all about? Yeah, it’s all about making memories. And yes, kids definitely remember treats. So I pulled right into the very next plaza. Hey, we were heading in the right direction and as far as I could tell we were making progress, right? See! That’s what I was thinkin’ too. I sent Emma, Josh, and Liberty in. “Find a few fun looking donuts to share.”

Little did we know that we had stumbled upon a famous donut shop that has been written up for some of the most delicious donuts in all our great United States. Not even kidding.Emma read the announcements on the wall from Gourmet Magazine…pretty sweet, huh? {Pun intended.}
And they came out with the most delicious looking treats. How ’bout this?

German ChocolateButterfinger

We taste tested and the apple fritter was my favorite, but the Butterfinger was a really, really close second. We actually have plenty left for the boys to taste when we get home.Anyway, I texted Graham and told him we had made it one plaza more…one step closer to home. He and daddy didn’t believe me. They thought we surely were on the road.
So we concocted an elaborate story of how we just let the kids swim the night before, threw them in the car at dark and drove all night and were near Pueblo, Colorado. Haha! I told him later, “Since you didn’t believe the truth, we thought we would make something really awesome up!”
On a humorous note….not long after getting on the road Elijah said, “I have to go pee.” I said, “Dude, you just want to get out of the car.” He didn’t say anything, so I figured I had been right. Sure he would pee, but he didn’t have to, ya’ know what I mean?

About an hour passed and I thought, “Well he hasn’t said a word, so I’m guessing he’s fine.” About another half hour and all of a sudden he said in his most innocent and sweet little three year old voice, “Hey! You guys didn’t listen to me. I just peed my pants.” Seriously laughed my head off. Yeah, well let’s just say, he peed so much I had to change his britches and his shirt. Lesson learned by this ol’ mom of ten.

The backroads of Kansas were wiiiiiindy. Oh my gracious. The van felt like it was going to blow off the road, so I had to drive 10 under the speed limit. We have made it to Garden City. Not sure where they put the garden, but we were lookin’!

And the antique shops on the way? Saw two. The entire time. And all 5 young ones had just fallen asleep. ugh. big ugh. So we didn’t stop. Josh has gotten to ride the entire with us in the car. But I do know where some are in Colorado….so the roof rack is still a viable option.

Okay, off to get the heck out of Dodge. I mean, Garden City.

Oh! Almost forgot. We had 850 miles till home yesterday morning. Had no idea what the ‘shortcut’ would do to all that. I told Graham if we still have 500 miles to go I’ll probably want to fling myself out of the hotel room window. Whew. 450 to go. One long day and we will be home sweet home. Can’t wait!! Yippee Jesus!