And they're off...

My husband and my oldest daughter (who just turned 10) are heading to Utah for a long weekend to watch some races at Miller Sports Park. They are driving 20+ hours each way. This is their first father daughter time away for more than a day. I'm trying not to be a nervous mother hen, but did remind my husband he does need to bring her home with him when he comes back.

I just can't believe she's 10. It flew by. Just a few minutes ago I was the one taking road trips with him; up the winding mountains to Big Bear, racing a hurricane that was going to close bridges and seal our only exit out of FL when we really needed to be in Atlanta (can't remember why!), and my favorite - heading from South FL up to Orlando and over to Kennedy Space Center. I remember loving the way you could look to the left and see the ocean and to the right and see the river. Little did I know that God would have us living there just a few years later. We lived in that town the longest we lived anywhere, and it still owns my heart.

But back to the present...my 2 happy travelers left early this morning and will be driving about 14 hours today. I sent a pillow and blanket in the car so Olivia can take a nap later. I spent last night and this morning going over a checklist of everything she packed and still had to call them back 2 minutes after they left because she forgot her sneakers.

My husband doesn't really do the meds in our house. He helps when I need it (and he's here) but it is definitely directed and dosed by me. I have sent a huge arsenal of stuff with them as she is my asthma queen. I am a little concerned because it is 95 here and it is only going to be in the 60's there. So I think the temp change my do its thing to her lungs. Hopefully not, but my husband will get a quick education if it does. Luckily, she is old enough to tell him when she is feeling bad. I made her bring a bag to take to the sports park with her to keep her inhaler close by, and thanks to some good friend, we have on loan a portable nebulizer that my husband is keeping in the car. See, no mother hen here! They have been gone 2 hours and I haven't called yet (unless you count the sneaker thing).

My little one is left alone at home and is pretty miserable. She has never spent any significant time away from her sister. She  could've gone but doesn't like loud noises, and motorcycle races are REALLY loud. So she is convinced this will be the worst week of her life. We have already bribed her with a build a bear that is going to be purchased tomorrow, and today she got a last minute invite to a birthday party this weekend so hopefully I can keep it as fun packed as possible to make the time go by.