Contradictory Words, Exploding Marshmallows, and Untrained Puppies

Rachel speaking. I'm feeling kind of philosophical tonight.

Move. It's such a contradictory word. It sounds so matter-of-fact and yet it raises so many questions. Where? When? Why? And more important questions like: Who will I sit next to at lunch? Who will I laugh with? When will I see my Massachusetts friends again? Moving is an adventure - exciting. But leaving people behind is not.

Then there's the trip. A whole other adventure in itself. Putting Taylor and Sarah Ann together in the back seat of the car is kind of like throwing a marshmallow in the fire. It heats and starts to expand - bigger, bigGER, BIGGER. Until it POPS. The question isn't IF it will explode - it's WHEN it will explode. Taylor and Sarah Ann start out just like the little marshmallow - sweet, innocent, and tasty. Well, okay - the tasty part doesn't fit. Then slowly the tension starts to boil. Sarah Ann "accidentally" hits Taylor. Then Taylor "accidentally" makes a mean reply. Slowly, their interaction builds to an EXPLOSION - tears, shrieks, and shoves.

Then there's Christian. He's like an untrained puppy. Puppies are soooo adorable. Loyal. Lovable. Always making you smile. UNTIL they rip your favorite shoes to shreds. UNTIL you have to search the house for their toy. (try finding a binki - that Christian threw on purpose - while Christian screams "I WANT BINKI!", the car lurches back and forth, and you can hardly see the floor because of all the piles of books, games, pillows, etc.)

I am excited for the trip - maybe just not for the marshmallows and puppies in the car.