12 Lives at the Lake + 1: Not Really a Vacation

We hit a bump in the Road of Life recently. At the 10 week mark in our latest pregnancy, I began a long and painful miscarriage. After five days of trying to manage things at home, I decided to check in with my doctor and discovered the beginnings of an infection. So last Wednesday I had surgery and spent a night in the hospital on antibiotics. We are slowly on the mend after all the disruption and have been overwhelmed by the love and support of friends and family.

It seemed like a less than ideal time to take a road trip, but I felt like maybe it would be a good way to start the healing process. Our trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help had been planned since March (or maybe even Feb.) We had already paid for hotel rooms. Dan had taken off of work and Therese had been packed 6 days in advance. She had the little boys hyped beyond belief. I just could not disappoint. Home from the hospital on Thursday and headed for Green Bay on Friday, that's about the way things go around here.

Let me just say that we had stressed to the kids when we planned this trip. This was to be a pilgrimage, not a vacation. (Hence the title of this post.) But we also tried to have a little something for everyone to look forward to. Here's our weekend in pictures....with a few words (you know me).

Lunch at a Veteran's Memorial in WI.

Check out Marianna's face...what a hoot!

On to the hotel....

Large family...teeny, tiny elevator!

Then we split up. Dan took the football fanatics (and Marianna) to Lambeau Field.

At this point, you may be wondering why Stephen is wearing 3D glasses.
Umm, I'm wondering the same thing.
Seriously, not sure about that kid.

Sorry Vike's, we're officially Packer's fans now.

While Mama and the water lovers headed to the pool....

Duh!
(Therese insisted this sign was for people who can't read.)

This girl totally loved the slides.

We reunited for a pizza party in one hotel room and video gaming late into the night, in the other room.

Saturday morning we rolled out of bed and made it to the Shrine in time for Mass and a little browsing at the gift shop. We remembered to hold all of the intentions of those we love in prayer while we were there.