As is typical when we visit Sacramento, we take a trip to the Railroad Museum. Last fall, we decided to get an annual pass...it just made sense. We have definitely made our money on that one! As you may guess, O loves the train museum. As many times as we have seen the trains, he can point out something new on each one, every time. The girls enjoy it too, but not as much as O. He finds such excitement in the large wheels, pistons, and various engines and freight cars, no matter how many times he has seen them.
At the Railroad Museum, they also have a play area full of Thomas tracks, trains and accessories, for kids to play with. We must visit this area first...then we take on the rest of the place.
This photo was not taken this past weekend, but during our April visit. Every time during our recent trip that I asked O, "Can I take a picture of you...?" He said, "No, thanks." Since I probably have plenty of photos of him with trains, I didn't push it. I can imagine he's thinking just that, something like...c'mon mom, we took pictures last time.
The whole weekend was like that, in terms of photos. He just wasn't interested. So, as usual, we got a lot of good pictures of the girls, but few of O. But, I did manage to get a couple of photos with him looking at the camera.
We also visited the zoo, Fairytale Town, and several restaurants during our trip. However, the highlight of the weekend was the train ride. It was a first for all three kids. Of course, they had ridden on amusement-park type kiddie trains before, but never a "real" train. I had always been nervous about taking O on a train ride that lasted any length of time, based on his anxieties related to noise and motion. But, since he has made so much progress in these areas, we decided to try it.
We took a 40-minute scenic train ride along the Sacramento River. It was a great experience. Not only did we all get to ride a "real" train, we also got to experience the engine switching tracks and coupling up to our coach (don't you just love all of my train language?) O loved it...he was so excited to see all the train action and really enjoyed riding behind the engine!
Here are a few photos from our train ride:
So...if you've been following my blog, you're probably expecting some life lesson or goal to come next. If you are, you would be right. I started this post as a way to document a fun, family weekend. But, I had these two thoughts as I wrote:
First, I want to be more like O. I want to experience each day as if I have never experienced it before, which, technically, I haven't. I mean, most days I stick to my same routine, especially during the school year, when I am working. Most days just seem the same. But, are they really? No. And, I shouldn't treat them as if they are. I should approach each day as O approached the train museum, looking for the new, looking at the things that I've seen numerous times, as amazing and exciting.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)
Second, I can make my home anywhere. At least, my earthly home. I have only lived in two different cities during my adult life. Both of these places still feel like home to me, I am comfortable in both of them. However, these homes are not permanent, they are not my eternity, they are only temporary. I think this song by Building 429, called "Where I Belong" says it beautifully.
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
To pull these two thoughts together...my time on this earth is short, especially when viewed in relation to eternity, so I intend to make the most of it, seeing the new of each day, but not to get overwhelmed by it!
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