Michigan

We arrived after a crazy trip on the train!!! I would ride the train again, but not for a while. Our train arrived 6 hours late into Chicago. They were very nice and helped us on the train. Chicago was an entirely different experience. I ended up uncontrollably sobbing in the station after the people there were not helpful at all.

Because the train was 6 hours late we missed the last train going to MI that night. They offered to pay for a hotel after which they would pick us up the next day at 11 am and let us wait at the station until 4 pm when our train would leave. They refused to help us get there earlier...even just 30 minutes earlier, to catch an earlier train. The thought of waiting in the train station for more than 4 hours was unbearable. I was tired. The kids were tired. They told me my options were to get a refund for our trip from Chicago to MI and take the bus or stay the night and wait for the train the next day (we would not get to our destination until midnight the following day).

I think they were tired of dealing with me. The manager told me I was too late for the shuttle to the hotel, that I had no choice but to get a refund and take a cab to the bus station. This is the point at which I broke down. I was crying uncontrollably while the red cap helped us to a cab with our bags. We got outside and there was the shuttle bus, waiting to go to the hotel...he had lied to us. It was too late for us anyway, we got the refund.

The cab took us to the bus station...scary place at 1 in the morning, especially with three kids. I will post pictures of the girls sleeping on the hard tiled floor waiting for the bus. The bus ride was great. We arrived at 7:30 am into Lansing, MI. My Dad and Mom met us at the bus station with hugs and smiles...just what we needed after a somewhat traumatizing experience.

We had a great time at Mari's open house Luau. A lot of people came and the food was great, as always. It was fun to see people I have met in the past and fun to meet new people. My family is so great and everyone always has great things to say about them. It was a nice and relaxing week and I got to start and finish a couple books! I was spoiled!

Being away from Brian for so long was extremely hard. I love him so much. I can't believe how perfect he is for me. I could not even hope for a better husband. He is amazing and it was so nice to be together again when he arrived on Saturday. We went to the beach in Muskegeon. It was beautiful. We were there until the sunset and got to spend a little extra time in the parking lot waiting for someone to help us charge a dead battery.

This was the perfect visit, from games to great food (including a Turkey dinner with all the fixin's) and of course, with wonderful people. Thanks to my family!