Silverwood or Bust!

A few weeks ago, Shelby's Kids of Steel teacher sent home a schedule for upcoming events-- one of which turned out to be a Tender Mercy from the Lord: Silverwood Theme Park.  We traveled the three hours and ten minutes to hear Shelby play on stage as Silverwood opened, then we had the rest of the day to play.  No way would we have made the decision to go after Tuesday, but because we had the tickets purchased and a Shelby that had a performance, we went.  And had a great time playing!

As soon as Shelby was done playing, we released Caden and Keilie to hurry to the rollercoaster they were most excited about while we cleaned up and loaded the trailer.  Because it was now 11:30AM, we took the other kids to grab some lunch while we waited for them to come and eat.  It took longer than they had planned, so Shelby, Brennon, and Tyson quickly went on a close ride before we all headed to the other rollercoasters.  Look at Brennon's face-- quick before you miss that smile...

 Because they hadn't even made it once around before he asked to be let off the ride.  This was a Medium Intensity ride, I was very concerned about the High Intensity ride he "really wanted to go on next."

As we stood in line, he kept telling us that he couldn't wait, that he really wanted to do it.  We'd watched some YouTube videos of people actually on the ride, so he thought he knew what it would be like.  So, here we are, ready for the ride to start...

As soon as it started, I could tell that he wished we weren't on it.  After the first drop, I looked over at him and never once took my eyes off his face again.  It made it a bit scarier for me, since I didn't know what was coming up next, but his white face, his gasping, shallow breaths, and his sheer terror could not be ignored.  I just kept telling him, "You've got this, Brennon."  "We're almost done."  I was holding his arm, willing him to breath, hoping beyond hope that he didn't pass out.  And as the ride came to a stop, he told me he didn't want to do another one as long as he lived.

We all cheered and clapped and congratulated him-- he'd ridden the fastest of the rides!!  But he was done for the day with those rides.  I am proud of my Brennon for going on that ride!!!

While Brennon was taking it easy on this ride, being the sweet helper that this little boy needed to ride the ride,

 The rest of our family was having the time of their lives!!!  Randy was in another car, dang it!

These faces are 100% real.  Take just a few minutes to look fully at each face, taking time to laugh hard at each one.  Oh, and know that the kid that looks all carefree and happy is only seven-- the baby of the bunch.  He was in his element.

Randy bought the photo for me.  He knows me so well.  I could barely stand, I was weak from laughing so hard.  I could barely breath, my stomach hurt like crazy.  Each glimpse after (and I looked a bunch the rest of the day) set me off again.  I still cannot look at this picture without my stomach hurting from so much laughing.  This will now be the first picture you see as you enter our home!

Because it was so cold (93 degrees the weekend before, 59 degrees today), I did not want to go on this ride.  Well, that, and I don't like being wet. 

 Little did we know that just moments after Caden, Shelby, and Tyson had gotten out of their log, the ride would break down.  They have no idea what was wrong with it.  So, Randy, Keilie, and Brennon were stuck here for about 10 minutes, at one point trying to guide their long where it needed to go. 

 So, of course I needed to get a picture!

I wish I would have been able to get all pictures of our Antique Car drives!!  Brennon drove me, Keilie drove her own, Shelby drove Randy, and Tyson drove Caden.  It was a nice, slow, easy ride.  And the younger kids loved being the drivers of the Seniors.

We played hard all day, going on every ride the kids wanted to go on!  The drive home gave us plenty of time to pick up a few extra passengers headed for Richland.  My goodness, we were so generous picking up so many hitchhikers!!

Randy: "I was able to forget for a little bit today."

Heavenly Father gave us a day we never would have done without those purchased tickets.