Final Illinois Recap

The final day of our trip to Illinois was the dreaded long drive home. There aren't lots of exciting details to share, but there are two significant things that happened.

Around lunchtime we were approaching the Dells area and I saw a sign for Cracker Barrel. CRACKER BARREL! I had been trying to eat at a Cracker Barrel the entire trip. It was looking like it wasn't going to happen.

I saw my final opportunity about to pass me by, so I told my mom to call my dad (we were following him) and tell him to take the next exit (which was approaching in about a 1/4 mile!!!) and he did so just in time.

YES!!!

When we sat down in the restaurant and started looking over the menu, nothing from the lunch/dinner section was speaking to me.

BREAKFAST was calling my name. I love breakfast.

One problem: I was still nursing Taylor and avoiding any and all egg-containing products because of his egg allergy.

I decided on the spot (with a little encouragement from my parents) that it was okay that today was my final day of nursing my son. And I ordered a breakfast combo of eggs, bacon and french toast. And I enjoyed it with my whole heart. And every taste bud in my mouth leaped for joy. And the name of the Lord is worthy to be praised. Oh My. What a delicious way to end my fast of egg-products.

(As a side note I would like to personally extend my deepest gratitude to the inventor of french toast and give that precious individual a hug. Thank you, Sir or Ma'am. You are a blessing.)

However. There were lots of emotions swirling around within me. I felt so torn. I really loved nursing Taylor. It was an incredible bonding experience for my Baby Boy and me. Even now I get a little teary thinking about it! I just wish I had known that morning had been my last time, because I would have tried to savor it a little more. And sear it into my mind.

But having a breakfast at Cracker Barrel was a purty good way, in my estimation, to celebrate nursing for a year! I'm rather proud of myself and so thankful that it went so well.

What a way to end the trip! I had no idea when we left that I'd be done nursing before the trip was over. Or that my Cracker Barrel dreams would come true.

My mom took this picture of me and T at CB and I'm so glad she did! It was a milestone day.