This is Unlimited Dedication

What is Unlimited Dedication?

For the Jacobsens, Unlimited Dedication has its most resilient roots at the CABIN! which holds 50 years of memories. 

We got to be together over the 4th of July weekend to strengthen these roots and create millions of new memories that will last a lifetime. Yes, all 55 of us in one place--yikes.

 

{ALL of my cousins were present with their families. Only 5 of my second cousins were unable to make it. I think this is incredible.}

As we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary and 50 years of the CABIN!, I was struck by the fact that all of my senses were in play.  When I see, hear, smell, taste and feel certain things in the future, I will be transported back to this magical weekend where Unlimited Dedication knows no bounds. 

What does Unlimited Dedication look like?

It looks like almost 100 people gathering to celebrate my parents while various members of the Jacobsen clan sings songs, uses props, puts on costumes, reenacts "the ultimatum", {and the truth about The Finger Story} recites original poems and does "magic" to creatively celebrate my parent's story. 

What does Unlimited Dedication sound like?

It sounds like a million laughs, 

{Hands down, the sound I will most remember from this year is laughter.}

 the CABIN! CD on endless repeat, cheering for new water skiers, the thump, thump, thump of cornhole madness, the elusive connection of a rock to the pole and lots and lots of stories being passed between all generations.

What does Unlimited Dedication smell like?

It smells like sunscreen on the Pontoon and the Oasis, lake water, fireworks {AKA fear!} and fire pit smoke for many, many s'mores. 

{And it probably smells a bit like wet dog, but he's so cute about it! :)}

What does Unlimited Dedication taste like?

It tastes like pulled pork sandwiches made from Brian's smoker, Nathan's jambalaya and corn salad, and maybe some Coors Light and a root beer barrel or 2...

Oh, and the sweet taste of victory for the Champs.

What does Unlimited Dedication feel like?

It feels like family. Amazing memories being made, deeper friendships formed, and that magical feeling of truly belonging to something greater than ourselves.  

This is Unlimited Dedication.

October 15, 1984

I just need to blog this out.

I Instagramed and Facebooked{Are these really verbs??} about this, but to stay true to my

Miracles in the Mundane philosophy, I have to blog it out...

My dad is the very best dad in the Universe.

There are many, many reasons why this is true, but one of them is that he sends real mail, often.

I love getting mail from him.

{We onlylive 35 miles away from each other, mind you!}

He sends newspaper clippings from the Ortonville newspaper {Where the CABIN! is} he sends news reports from the sports pages and sometimes just writes notes that say "Howdy."

Today, I received an envelope with this on the outside of it:

Oct 15 1984

Bronco snow day--17-14 BRONCS

Kari and Stan were there!!

{BTW, I was 13 (almost 14) at the date of this game...!}

This is amazing for so many reasons.

First, the contents of the envelope had nothing to do with the BRONCS!...My dad must have had a random  memory hit him as he sent off the envelope. To see this memory in my dad's handwriting is so, so precious. It brings tears to my eyes to know that he cherishes our times together as much as I do. I know I am sentimental, and I know that I hold memories in a freakishly close way, but to see this from my dad, just means so much.

*sigh*

I don't think my words {or picture} capture what my heart feels...but know that this Miracle in the Mundane is not being taken lightly. It is sitting deep, deep in my heart and it will never leave me.



#26: A picture that brings back your strongest childhood memory

Oh man! This one from the list has to be ROAD TRIPS!!!!

Yeah baby! Let's load up the old Volkswagen bug (1970's memories)

 and the tan conversion van (1980's memories)

and drive to South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa!

Being on the road with my family brings me millions and millions of amazing memories.

We always had

music (8 tracks, baby!)

snacks

road games

books

stories

sibling rivalry

and

pure excitement for our next destination.

During the 70's era, we would load up our gold VW bug with luggage strapped to the top of the car and in the trunk. My parents would put the back seat out so it was flat and all three kids

 would lay out as dad drove through the night.

Umm, Seat belts?

Car seats? 

Nah.

Just the open road and sleeping kids for my parents!

{CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT NOW???!!!!}

During the 80's era we didn't know what to do with all the space around us! I mean, our van was L.O.A.D.E.D!

We had a "stereo system"{yes, this is intended to be finger quoted..}a table that flipped up and swiveled, a seat that folded out to a bed, a sink and little side windows that opened so we could stick out our hands to feel the Midwestern air...

pure glory.

It's really difficult to put into words the pure, magical, perfect memories I have of these days. The time spent with my brothers and parents was truly amazing.

 I think part of the draw was what awaited us at the other end.

We drove the same loop every summer. Our first stop was Rapid City, South Dakota where my mom's parents lived. We loved visiting here and I have memories of walking to the corner store *by ourselves!* to buy candy and  then we were allowed to stay up late. We would usually go to Mt. Rushmore and some other attraction in the Black Hills like Bear Country USA.

Then we would hit the road and go to my mom and dad's college friends' farm in the middle of *Nowhere* South Dakota. The best part of this stop was first, we thought we were related to this family so it was like seeing cousins and second, they had an outdoor, above ground POOL! When we turned onto the dirt road that led to the farm we would start yelling:

"Pedal to the metal! Floor it! Floor it!"

We changed into our swimming suits in the car and barely said hello to our hosts as we tore to the pool.

The next stop on our summer road trip loop was to none other than the CABIN! which is in Minnesota.

The memories here are too many to count, but the highlights are certainly learning how to water ski, fish, listen to many, many stories and feel that pure delight that is childhood.

Depending on our route home, we would also stop in Sheldon, Iowa and visit my Aunt and Uncle and cousins who lived there. This was always a treat because they had a Godfather's Pizza AND an A&W--good times for sure.

Road trips are the best. I still take them! Last summer, Baxter and I drove to the CABIN! by ourselves. Baxter didn't mind the shotgun seat at all.

Oh road trips! Thanks for all the memories and I look forward to many more!!!