Acrophobia: an extreme or irrational fear of heights.
My husband is the most incredible man. He is an amazing husband and an even more amazing father!
He is handy around the house. He can change light fixtures and faucets and can fix just about anything.
He takes care of the cars and the yard and he takes care of us.
He kills the spiders and other annoying creepy crawlies and he would lay down his life for us.
There isn’t much he is afraid of.
Except for one thing…
HEIGHTS!!
That is why you see me in the below picture flying high among those trees and not my husband.
When our Community Group at church sent around a sign-up sheet for a day at a Ropes Course my first thought was how much our 8-year old son would love it. He is fearless, that boy!!
My husband looked at me and said, “if you want him to go, YOU are going to have to be the one to take him.” And, he kind of said it like he was daring me to go.
With a smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
Never one to back down from a dare, I snatched that sign-up sheet and wrote my name down.
So there!
Oh…wait…ummmm….errrrr….ummmm….what exactly goes on at a Ropes Course?
Well, for one thing, you get to wear a super nifty harness that highlights all of your ummm…assets.
And then your son decides to wear his team wristband on his head instead of his wrist and you have the song
“Let’s Get Physical” by Olivia Newton-John running through your head the entire rest of the day.
And then the instructors hook him up to these ropes and you realize that the fear involved in having yourself launched into the air…
cannot begin to compare to the fear involved in watching your CHILD being launched into the air!
Ummmm…yeah.
Once your knees stop shaking you move on to a psuedo “Survivor/Amazing Race” type Obstacle Course where you quickly realize that the reason the kids are so much better at it than the adults is because their center of gravity is so much lower to the ground.
Once you recover from the “Obstacle Course from Hell” you get the opportunity to have your heart almost burst from pride watching your son scale a wall like it was something he did every day.
Yep.
Then the instructors bring out a ladder and lean it against a tree and you think,
“now what on earth could that be for?”
Then you see the teeny tiny little hooks in the tree above the ladder and realize you are supposed to climb up the ladder and then use the hooks to climb the rest of the way onto this very narrow platform.
The foam noodle is for the “sword fight” which will occur after he begins to walk on this metal tight-rope and meets up with the person climbing on the opposite tree.
Like a walk in the park to this kid!
And then they all turn to you and say, “your turn!”
Now, I have to tell you that it took a LOT of convincing on the part of my sister to share photos of myself from this adventure. It isn’t the most…ahem…flattering look.
Do I know how to ROCK a helmet and harness or what??
In this photo I am asking my team the prerequisite questions before beginning to climb:
“Can I trust you?”
Insert very sarcastic replies from my friends here.
“Are you ready for me to climb?”
Insert even more sarcastic replies from my friends here.
I vowed revenge against anyone who took a picture of me from underneath….this one was pushing it!
There may or may not have been some under the breath muttering going on at this point and my husband’s name may or may not have been among the other words being muttered.
And yes, even the moms got in on the “noodle sword fight” action!
Want to know the best part about doing a Ropes Course?
It’s knowing that your son will always remember that his mom spent the day with him swinging from trees and climbing rock walls and walking on tight-ropes.
And while it may have taken me a solid 10 minutes to get out of bed the next morning due to extreme muscle aching and soreness in ALL (ahem) parts of my body, it was so worth it to know that Ian and I made a memory we will always treasure!
Thanks for joining me today at the Fence,
Oh my goodness, girl, you totally rock! What a great memory for you and your son. I don’t think I could have ever done that.
Yes, you DO totally rock that outfit!! You look like a very yummy mummy!!
That looks like an awesome day out. My children would give their life savings ten times over to visit that place!
Sarahx
Oh Vanessa, you must be the “coolest” mom ever! So sorry to say it, but my child would have had to just missed out on the fun. Heighths and snakes are my greatest fears, and I don’t know which I fear more. Thanks for following, I am following right back.
The being launched into the air sounds fun but the rest of it? Not so much!!! You’re a great mom for doing it!
Looks like great fun to me! What a great memory you made!
I once went zip-trekking in the Redwoods (way up high) in British Columbia at Whistler. It was a blast!
You’re a good Mom!
You my friend are a brave soul! Your son is so cute, and he must be so proud of his Mama for doing that. I WOULD NEVER!~ Shhhh….don’t tell my husband I told you, but his fear is spiders LOL!
How embarrassing is it that I’m welling up right now from reading this post? I must be getting all emotional from our big move coming up. Anyway, that was just awesome. I want to be a cool mom like you when I grow up.
How fun is that!! Good for you and your son!
What a great mom, not sure I could have done that(actually pretty sure I would have to be hospitalized if I had done it!)! I bet you are right that your son will always remember that day! And you survived!
I read, and loved, every single word! What a fun day-great memory- to hang onto. Someday when he has a sassy-mouthed teenage day you can just say…Hey-remember the time I took you ROPING!?! Yeah? Well, then cool it! lol
I’d say you looked pretty darned good harnessed up! And, it looks like you had the last laugh on your hubby- xo Diana
What a wonderful story! Made me smile thru the whole thing! Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful experience for both of you. Thanks for sharing!!
You rocked the harness and the storytelling. Bonus awesome mom points!
Your son must be part monkey methinks! That looks like he had a blast. And you do rock a helmet and harness…it’s awesome! This post made me laugh out loud! 🙂
Amber
quiltedeuphoria.blogspot.com
What a good mother you are. I am really impressed with your skills.
this is wonderful!! Good for you! I admire you, cause I feel the same as your hubbs. let my feet stay on the ground! (I sent you gals an email this afternoon)
xoxo Debra
Wow, the two of you are quite the adventurers! Good for you! I’m a chicken.
Oh Wow! I hope that I don’t have to do this with my bubs when he is older! You are brave, way to go girl! It was fun to look at all the pictures. 🙂
Oh WOW!! You are so brave! But how fun….no way would I EVER EVER do something so crazy:-)
I cry on a ski lift! Boo!
How fun Vanessa!! I would do that in a heartbeat. : ) Your son is too cute and now he’ll hold the memories from that day forever. Gotta love that! When my daughter and I recently went to the Stampede, giant fair here in Calgary, she had “the best day of her life”. It’s been nearly two weeks and she talks about it every day. I’m soo glad we went! Enjoy the rest of your summer. : ) ~ Catie
What a Super-Mommy you are! I just loved this post. I went from laughing at the Olivia Newton John headband to holding my breath because your son looked so little as he navigated his way. Then it was back to laughing AGAIN at the noodle fighting mommy.
This is a great, great post. I love that you shared it! He will never forget it, either.
OMG! You must have been freaked out!! He’s a pretty cool dude!
I am SO impressed! I acknowledge that I think this looks fun but equally acknowledge I’m not sure I could do it! LOL! Oh, but what memories and what fun pictures. Worth it all!
Wow, y’all did good. I would not be able to do that now. Probably several years ago when I was working out all the time, but not now. I bet your son will never forget you doing that with him.
Well, you know I loved you before, but it just doubled watching you tackle the great outdoors with your son!!! What a special day, one you will always remember and he will too! I have been guilty of sitting ‘by’ the pool, but not getting in with my kids…I need to do better and you have inspired me! How fun! Christie P.S. You rock in your outdoor get-up!
That looks like fun for you and your son but I’m with your husband I don’t like heights either. Good for you.
Shannon
You are SUPER MOM! You made a memory for your son. I have never been on a “ropes” course so thank you for posting these photos…they were quite fun and enlightening to see.
Lol! Vanessa, this is hilarious! You had me laughing through the whole story. Love the lesson to be learned here as well. I spent 2 hours today playing with my kids cause “we’re bored! we have nothing to do!” I had piles of laundry and such to attend to but I’ve got to admit, it was fun turning the bunk bed into a castle, putting together “super spy gear”, and helping the Queen into her royal attire. =)
That’s awesome! I would be scared to do those things, but it would probably be tons of fun at the same time! 🙂
honey…your assets looked great in that terrible harness…it’s been years since i’ve been on a ropes course but i can identify with your pain…love that you went and did that with your son…he will always remember that day when his momma was daring and fearless!
alison
Hey Vanessa! You’re a sweetie! Thanks for your last comment.
I’m with your hubby ~ I think I got dizzy just looking at these pictures! I freak out on the sky ride that glides over amusement parks. Kudos to you for signing up and actually doing it!
Great job! What an amazing experience to have with your son!
I’m not thrilled with heights, but this looks like fun.
Have a great weekend.
Pam
Oh Wow!! I don’t think I could have done it, but you are right about the memories. You and your son looked like you had a great time.
You couldn’t pay me a million bucks to do this!
And lucky for me….my 8 year old is a scaredy cat, too!
Great job, Mama!
That makes me queasy just to look at it. You’re super brave.
I. Do. Not. Do. Heights.
How exciting!…now that’s my kinda fun too!
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly
Way to go Vanessa! I have ear and balance problems, making me TERRIFIED of heights. You couldn’t pay me enough to get up there, espcially in that noodle fight with someone else on the rope too. Good for you for doing it and having a good time that day!
You so ROCKED that look, you are adorable in anything my friend! I love that you did that for your boy, he looks so happy and now come on, I can see the look in your eyes that you had a great time and would totally do it all again!. 😉
Have a wonderful weekend!!
xoxo
This is awesome! What a great experience to have with your guy! I bet he sees you in an entirely new light!
Thank you for stopping by!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com
I just read part of this. Then I thought I was going to lose … it. Sickening. Absolutely terrifying.
So glad he had fun 🙂
My 12-y-o tries this once without the ropes. Fell 20 feet. The trauma unit at the hospital met us at the door as we entered on a gurney. We left two days later with a mere broken ankle.
Sickening. Absolutely terrifying.
So glad they have fun.
Do you see this gray hair!!?!???
🙂 Mary @ Redo 101
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