Lesson #9 ~ We all need to rejuvenate

If I guestimated correctly, about seven Nautica Flyers would fit into our hotel room at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson.  We checked in early yesterday morning.  This room looks like the presidential suite.  It's the biggest room in which our family has ever stayed.  We walked in and my children started running laps around the room.  Dan, our fabulous bellman, gave us a tour of the place.  We have a separate bedroom with a king-sized bed, a boardroom table, a couch with a queen bed, a Murphy bed hidden in the wall, two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and two balconies.  The kids thought the Murphy bed was the coolest thing!  Personally, I love that everyone gets a bed to sleep on and we only have to sleep 2 to a bed.  (Otherwise we end up like the 6 bears in the bed who get tired, roll over, and one falls out. ;-))

The room is such a treat for us because for over four days we've been mildly confined.  Yes, the RV is nothing to complain about.  We have lots of space.  Taite even has his own little hide-out.  Even so, you can only do so much running around inside the RV with 7 other people.  We've had one pool and one playground (both at the same resort in Amarillo) for the kids to unwind.  Otherwise we've been in restaurants, inside the RV, or in an area where the kids can't just run around.  I have been thoroughly impressed at the behavior of my children along the way.  But one of the ways my kids rejuvenate is by literally running in circles - especially Lincoln.  At home he can run laps around the main level for what seems like hours.  Lincoln has now had his fair share of running and will be ready to drive toward Lake Havasu Sunday.

Parker can rejuvenate in two ways.  She enjoys being around and playing with other kids, but her energy is replenished by being alone.  This afternoon I found her in a corner of the giant bathroom here at the hotel talking to the turtle and dolphin pool toys - she was taking their dinner order. ;-)  Yesterday while all the kids where playing croquet on the resort grounds I found Parker sitting on a ledge by herself.  I asked her what she was doing.  "I'm riding a camel," she replied.  Of course she was - Duh!  If she can't get away she will close her eyes and nap.  She has taken more naps on this trip than she has in the last six months combined.

Sleep has been a hot comodity for me.  Sleeping in the RV is quite different from sleeping in our rooms at home - with our bedroom doors shut.  Now I hear every sneeze, snore, cough, and mumble (Taite and Lincoln talk in their sleep).  Thankfully nobody else is affected.  The kids just sleep through the other kids' night quirks.  Travis sleeps with ear plugs when he travels.  I'm contemplating using ear plugs myself.  My mom-conscience warns me to not use them...what if someone chokes and needs me to run to their rescue?!  But if I don't make some adjustments I'm sure my immune system will weaken from lack of sleep.  Nobody wants a sick, drained, or crabby mommy.  The giant room we are staying in and my unbelievably comfortable bed are by far the best gifts.  They are 10 times better than having a massage at the spa here.  (Well, let's not go too far - 8 times better.)

Getting good sleep is just the first part of a good routine.  A good routine is what Travis thinks is the thing that rejuvenates him the most.  I'm not sure how to implement a routine - or even a sprinkle of a schedule - for our family over a Christmas/New Year/business/life-on-the-road trip?  Figuring out this aspect of the adventure is a necessity if we intend to do anything like this again.  Because of that,  Travis says he does not yet feel rejuvenated.  That being said, we are in Tucson for Travis' business meetings.  Here Travis is able to do some teaching, coaching, managing, and training all while he's with his co-workers/friends.  It doesn't provide routine, but it is something with which Travis is very familiar.  Over the course of these last couple days I've watched Travis relax, grow more patient, and smile with us more. 

Part of Taite's typical routine at home is playing sports.  Football is usually his sport of choice, but any competitive sport will do.  Calla and Parker are not big into sports, Lincoln is interested only sometimes, and any sport is hard to do when you are driving in a vehicle.  We hadn't played enough sports for Taite to rejuvenate until we arrived at the resort here in Tucson.  Taite's third cousin once removed (if that's even possible - we made that up, but she's somehow related), Holly, is all about competition.  Thankfully Linda (Trav's mom), Laura (a cousin somehow), and Holly (Laura's daughter) joined us at the hotel yesterday.  A game of croquet is all it took for me to see my old Taite again.  The wrestling/kick boxing the night before helped too.

This resort is perfect for families.  The kids have played croquet, ping pong, giant Jenga, bean bag toss, tag, hide and seek, kick the shoe, dead or alive, and catch.  The resort also has volleyball, badminton, hula hoops and jump ropes.  They keep the pools at a warmer-than-the-air temperature of 82 degrees.  Calla and Holly came to me and Laura yesterday and said, "Can we please put our hands in the water?  It's warm!"
"Ok, just your hands," Laura and I both said.  Within minutes the girls were back.
"Can we please take our shoes off and let our feet get wet?"  Hesitantly we said yes, knowing that it would not end well for the moms.  Within 30 minutes I found Calla on her hands and knees leap frogging through the shallow end of the pool and Holly wasn't any drier.
Laura laughed and said, "This is what memories are made of."  So true.  Since the air temperature was 60 degrees, when it was time to get out all the wet kids were freezing!  We walked into the hotel's Starbucks and got hot cocoa for everyone.  Sadly, that was the last we'll see of Laura and Holly until we find ourselves in Tucson again I suppose.  What a fabulous time, though!

Today we played with the Rogers' (from Nebraska), Davenport's (from North Carolina), and McLean's (from Arkansas) - where most of the activities listed above occurred.  How fun that our kiddos have good friends around the country!  What a unique experience!  They all get along incredibly well, too!

My children thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all the kids - but probably not as much as I enjoyed my time chatting with the ladies poolside or by the patio's bonfire.  I might have been the one who needed rejuvenation the most - it wasn't pretty ;-).  What a blessing it was to have time with Laura and Linda yesterday!  Last night I had a fabulous time talking with my dear friend Nikki.  And today while our eleven children played hard I got to connect and converse with four incredible women - Nikki, Amy, Leslie, and Debbie.  This week I learned that I am rejuvenated by time spent in conversation with my girlfriends.  It's a kind of chit chat that a husband or children cannot provide.  The conversation can be about anything...mommyhood, food, travels, children's quirks, God, Bible studies, dreams, books, schooling, whether you should wear scarfs and pants or tanks and shorts on a 60 degree day, anything.  This part of the trip came at the perfect time - exactly what I needed.

Calla has seemed to be the least emotionally effected on this trip.  If she's well rested and has someone to take care of, she's in her element.  She's been able to help me with Lincoln and Parker, she's been able to help everyone with her Ooh La La Spa, and anytime she sees a baby or toddler she's all over them!  I feel like I haven't pinpointed her rejuvenation button yet, but I might be on to something.

Jim and Linda (Travis' parents) came to the hotel Thursday night to help us with the kids and participate in the awards ceremony and dinner.  Tomorrow (Saturday) they return for a trip to Old Tucson then stay to watch the kids while Travis and I attend a formal dinner.  We are looking forward to being with them again and experiencing Old Tucson.  Until then, I'm off to attempt to get a solid night of sleep in this fabulous bed.  (I wonder if we can get one of these in the RV! ;-))  Hasta Pronto!

Lesson #8 ~ Go Around The Cactus

We made camp last night, Christmas night, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  Travis and Jim had heard some abnormal noises as we drove yesterday.  It's really nice to have someone along for the ride who knows the in's and out's of an engine.  After Jim got out of the Navy he started a career with Ryder trucking company as a mechanic (and continued to work as a mechanic or with mechanics for over 30 years until he retired).  Jim filled all the fluids and checked some belts and things (I sound so mechanically savvy, don't I?!).  Unfortunately it was dark.  He and Travis did all they could do in the dark. This morning we made a quick stop at the neighboring RV service shop before leaving town.  Of course, the engine ran just fine.  It took Travis, Jim, Lincoln, and three service guys to get in there and check the engine.  They all agreed everything looked fine for a day's ride.  We were on our way.

The drive from Las Cruces to Tucson was unique from what we've experienced thus far.  We saw desert and mountains the entire way.  We saw sage brush, some palo verde trees, and a few other plants that can grow in the sand.  The only animals we saw were two farms of cows.  It was a great day for a nap and some games.  While Nana, Parker, and Calla dozed, Taite played solitaire (Nana taught him to play yesterday and he's addicted now) and Lincoln played on the Repreakfast (Perplexus).

The Grand Motor Inn Restaurant in Deming, New Mexico, was a welcomed rest stop along the way.  Aunt Sharon recommended we stop there for some enchiladas.  She gave fair warning that the salsa and enchilada sauce might be a bit too spicy for Minnesotans, but we were up for the challenge.  I do not typically like enchiladas, but these were GREAT!  Lincoln even liked them - and he doesn't like anything spicy.  He drank an entire glass of water after every bite, but he ate the whole thing!  "We needed a hose at the table he was so thirsty," as Brian Wilson would say.  The place is definitely a local dive that one would never visit unless you made a concerted effort.  It was certainly worth getting off the beaten path.  Just the break we needed today.

After we willingly burned our tongues and cleared our sinuses, we drove straight to Aunt Sharon and Uncle Harold's house.  Sharon is Travis' paternal grandmother's sister, and she is a spring chicken!  She and her husband are always out galavanting around the Arizona countryside and walking daily (to remain a spring chicken, I suppose). We spent the evening with them, their daughters Lynda and Laura, and Laura's daughters.  We all shared a delicious meal, our kids got some much needed playtime and the adults enjoyed fun conversation and laughter.

While we were planning to stay at a local campground, Harold and Sharon kindly invited us to park in the alley adjacent to their backyard.  Harold and Sharon have a lovely yard.  They have lemon, grapefruit, and orange trees.  They have a huge saguaro cactus with woodpecker holes in it where elf owls live, prickly pear cacti, and many other pokey plants.  We decided to take them up on the offer and Travis got in the RV to drive it around back.  Jim, Calla, Parker, Lincoln, Harold and I all waited in the alley for Trav to turn the corner.  Taite wanted to join us so he ran through the backyard, came through the gate door, shut the gate door, and turned to run toward us.  When I looked, he was standing there calmly saying, "Ouch, ouch, ouch."  (He has the emotional control of a patient 30-year-old!)  
"What's wrong?" I asked, confused.
"I ran into the cactus," he said.  I looked down and there were cactus spines all over both of his pant legs.  I pulled them off until I didn't see anymore.
"It still hurts," he said.
"Where?" I asked.
"Right here," he said and with his finger drew a big circle around the entirety of both of his legs. ;-)  We pulled his pants forward and found spines as thick as toothpicks poking straight out of his legs.  I couldn't help but laugh.  He didn't feel back to 100% until after he got a warm bath.
"Um, next time I'll go around the cactus," he declared.  Very wise.

Travis' meetings start tomorrow.  We are all looking forward to spending the day with Harold, Sharon, Lynda, Laura and her girls, then getting to see the Family Heritage crew.  Always a good time!  And I'll be curious to see what lessons we learn at the Starr Pass Resort. ;-)

White CHRISTmas!!!

Hey Y'all,

Travis Here. I am so thankful to Kate for doing such a fantastic job keeping this blog updated and detailed. I wanted to take a turn and share some of our Christmas day shenanigans. Today started like most of our days on the road so far, chilly temperatures, the sun still down, frozen water lines (no toilet) and an excitement for the day. Today it happened y'all (I'm beginning to speak like the locals). I join the Flying J club. Yes, that is the discount club for the nationally famed truck stops. I am now considered a "professional" driver according to the J club.  I thought it might be a good deal considering how we have already used 350+ gallons of fuel and are not quite to Tucson, Arizona, yet. The agenda for the day was to get an early start and to have our White Christmas at White Sands National Monument. My kids are into "history stories" which are typically just childhood memories of Kate or I or anyone else willing to share. White Sands was one of the all time best "history stories" that I shared with kids many months ago. When I was 8 I distinctly remember visiting White Sands myself and just loved climbing those huge mountains of beautiful gypsum. I always thought it was really cool that out in the middle of nowhere there were these amazing mountains of sand and a desert in the middle of the desert. If you have never seen this place, it is a must-visit.

As you see we remembered to bring our sleds from Minnesota so that on Christmas we could go sledding on the white stuff. It even felt like a MN Christmas with a windchill that would make you shiver (Hats, coats, pants all necessary). Most would think that a White Christmas at White Sands monument would account for a full day.  However in the spirit of keeping this blog about lessons, I think the lesson today was about creating Christmas memories that will last a lifetime. Meet Matilda!

Yes, a camel that pulled into the park just in front of us. Of course we followed the trailer because no one could believe that we were going to be able to see a camel in the desert on this special day. Matilda was raised by the hands of his owners from birth and would eat 8 times a day consuming a gallon of milk each feeding plus hay for snacks in between meals (no pumping and dumping going on here). Seriously, Where are We?

We were also very thankful for the Nautica Flyer today as NOTHING was open tonight. Dinner was a memorable handmade salad from Nana (my mom) and spaghetti and sauce  that Kate was mindful to have packed, more memories.

Finally, we remember that today is Jesus' birthday and all throughout the year He gives us people, blessings, answered prayers, and memories of the sacrifice made for us. It is a real blessing as a father to have this time and these memories with my family. A White Christmas worthy of our King and a day we will remember forever!

In Him,

Travis

Lesson #7 ~ Trust the Locals

I spoke too soon.  In my last entry I mentioned how grateful we were for a warm place to sleep amidst the freezing Amarillo air.  Well, by 5am we were all fighting for blankets.  I left my bed, grabbed more blankets and came out to check on the kids.  I covered Taite and Calla and hopped in bed with Parker and Lincoln (my little brickettes).  By 7am the refrigerator’s built-in alarm was screaming at us that it wasn’t getting energy.  The 21-gallon propane tank was empty.  Trav checked our high-tech built-in level reader.  It showed we still had propane.  Looks like we have some maintenance to do on the built-in level reader.  While the kids and I swam at the nice, warm indoor pool at the Amarillo Ranch RV Park Travis worked on filling or emptying all of our tanks.  (Can you see Lincoln sailing into the pool?  They loved it!)

Twice during our stay in Amarillo locals told us to visit Palo Duro Canyon.  “It’s the only thing worth seeing around here,” they said.  So, on this lovely Christmas Eve morning, after swimming and filling tanks we picked up Papa Jim and Nana from their hotel and drove 17 miles southeast of Amarillo to the canyon.  It’s the second largest canyon in the U.S. - second only to the Grand.  It was a gorgeous place, certainly worth the stop.  Some friends of ours, the Sime’s, suggested to ask about the Junior Ranger Program at the parks we visit.  What a great program!  Each of the participating parks have prepared a booklet that kids can take as you enter the park.  It has questions to answer and things to look for within each park. 

When I was a kid we drove through the Black Hills - one of the most beautiful places in America.  My sister and I were soooo bored!  We thought, “if you saw one hill, you saw them all!”  Our poor parents.  They were trying to bring us on a fabulous family vacation and introduce us to beautiful America.  I remember Mindy and I listening to our headphones (with cassette players ;-)) and only paid attention when my dad said, “Girls!  Look out your window!”  Often we couldn’t wait to get to our next destination because the journey was mildly torturous for us. 

I was a little bit in fear of that attitude on this trip, but this Junior Ranger program has really helped make our journey more fun.  We have some of these programs in Minnesota.  Before we left we went to one located within the Minnesota Science Museum - this program being about the Mississippi River.  It kept Calla’s attention for awhile.  Taite, determined to get the badge that one receives after completing the booklet, diligently sought out the answers.  He learned tons about the River.  Yesterday Taite (and all of us) learned tons about the Palo Duro Canyon and Amarillo thanks to the program, the park, and Wikipedia ;-).  (Here we are enjoying the journey. ;-))

One of the questions in the Junior Ranger booklet was “Name four interesting things you saw on a nature hike.”  We came up with more than four.  Within the canyon we saw four geologic layers, mule deer, deer tracks, yucca plants, prickly pear cacti, prickly pear cacti that had been eaten (ouch!!) by javelinas and other animals, hickory trees, mesquite trees, sage brush, and along our way out of the canyon we saw tumbleweed rolling across the street.  As we drove back toward Amarillo to continue west we drove past the JA Ranch - a ranch of over 1 million acres within 6 counties, with over 100,000 cattle.  They used old tractor tires for feeders.  So interesting.  Talk about different than Minnesota!  We are grateful the locals encouraged us to drive there...it wasn’t even a thought for the original itinerary.  (See the eaten cacti and tumbleweed below.)

Back in Amarillo we stopped at Cavender’s Boot City.  Merry Christmas to Travis, Calla, and Taite - they all got some new cowboy boots (or cowgirl boots in Calla’s case).  I guess they were jealous of my and Parker’s boots.  Parker put on her fancy black cowboy boots and said, “I’m ready to cowboy!”  And now we all can participate in Southwest Day when we visit Old Tucson with Trav’s company later this week!  Great day! (Here's Parker ready to Cowboy.)

After the boot purchase we stopped at Cadillac Ranch.  Travis brought the kids out to vandalize the half-Cadillac graveyard.  It’s interesting to see the art that turns into attractions or even destinations.  Those Cadillacs have been positioned in the ground since 1974.  Papa Jim remembers when he first saw them.  So does Travis.  I’m sure our kids will too. 

Our entry into New Mexico brought a time change and mountains.  We cheered for the Flyer to help encourage it up some of the hills.  We entered a chilly mountainous desert.  Five miles east of Albuquerque we saw snow out our windows.  Perfect - a white Christmas.  I was hoping to see the luminarias display Albuquerque set up in the city, but taking an RV on this 20 mile trip through the windy roads was not recommended.  So we enjoyed the luminarias atop the Best Western and some neighboring adobe-looking buildings. 

Today is Christmas.  Like any normal Christmas, we are enjoying food, card games, our already-opened Christmas gifts, and each other’s company - we just happen to be in an RV and a different state.  Since we don’t have a church here we are singing songs (and watching them on YouTube) and reading the Bible on our own.  I’ve been trying to read Luke’s version of the Christmas story.  We got through chapter one and the kids wanted to change subjects.  They wanted to hear Esther - the Old Testament book.  All 10 chapters.  You can’t go wrong reading from the Bible, but I think it’s funny that the perfect plan I envisioned just hasn’t gone my way.  Instead I’ll embrace our time in conversation about how God works for us and with us always.

Travis is looking forward to writing the next entry.  Until next time, a Very Merry Christmas to all!

Lesson #6 ~ Six days is too long

We headed out of Grove, Oklahoma, today.  After four full days of football playing, rifle shooting, gingerbread train making, gazing at the moon halo, listening to the coyotes howl regularly through the night, walking and noticing the coyote dung across the street from the house (!), eating, laughing, and relaxing at the Ooh La La Spa, it was time to part ways with Derick and Michelle and let the Flyer take us to Amarillo. 

The weather was perfect for the drive.  When we left Grove at 8:30am it was 38 degrees outside.  At 4:30pm we arrived in Amarillo to a lovely 63 degrees.  They warned us that it gets cold when the sun goes down.  They weren't kidding!  We have to shut off the water so the lines won't freeze overnight.  We are glad to have a furnace that works. 

Nana was more than prepared for the trip.  She brought both food and games.  She had found a fabulous website called MomsMinivan.com where there were lots of printable travel games.  We played bingo, battleship, lines and dots, there was even a scavenger hunt.  Nana had also put journals in the kids' stockings so they could take notes, draw, doodle, or organize all the NCAA football teams according to their conference using team logos (guess who!).

Parker was feeling under the weather today so she sprawled out on the couch and napped much of the drive.   Lincoln enjoyed some of the games Nana brought, but Battleship was a little over his head.  Instead he grabbed the Rebreaksast (or Perplexus as the rest of us call it) and sat in the recliner working on moving the little silver marble around the labyrinth-in-a-ball without dropping it.  I often caught him scolding the marble.  I tend to do the same thing when I play. ;-)

For the most part it was smooth sailing.  There was only one small snafu.  With an hour left of the drive we noticed an unmistakable stench.  Even the driver and passenger could smell it.  Travis did a little investigating while Jim drove.  I guess six days of toilet use without dumping is too much.  The blackwater was at max levels according to the RV's built-in level reader.  (That's the technical term for it...built-in level reader. ;-))  We passengers were concerned that we might go over a big bump or turn a corner too sharply and we'd have to pick up our feet. (Gross.  Sorry.)  Obviously the first thing we did when we got to the Amarillo Ranch RV Park was dump the black and graywater tanks.  We aired the place out and filed away that important piece of information - 6 days of use without dumping is too long. 

Our drive to Amarillo was more than just fun and games.  It was a learning experience.  When we drive from Minnesota to Oklahoma we drive through Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.  We see corn fields, dairy cows, heifers, soy bean fields, and lots of pine and oak trees.  Today's drive was totally different.  We saw wheat.  We saw oil drills.  We saw cotton and lots of giant rectangular cotton bales.  We saw cottonwood trees in place of the pine or oak trees we would see in Minnesota.  The soil was red clay - nothing like ours.  Even the cows looked different. 

We made an attempt to be tourists and stop at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma.  It was closed so we took a picture by the sign.  We drove by a GIANT cross in Groom, Texas.  I thought it was a church at first.  As I now look it up (www.crossministries.net), I see that it is much more than a 19 story cross.  Might have been worth the stop.  Next time...

We were hoping to have dinner at the Big Texan restaurant.  We were trying to figure out how that would work.  We wanted to set up camp then go to the restaurant.  But we are not towing a spare vehicle.  As Travis reviewed their website he noticed they will pick you up!  In a classic Cadillac limo - with longhorns on the front and a fancy moo-ing horn to honk.  Oh yeah!  Problem solved.  Ha!  Crack me up!  I made sure to put on my cowboy boots.  Calla says she wants a pair of boots, too.  Only she wants cowgirl boots.  She's even more convinced she wants them now that she has the hat!  The meal was fabulous and the experience was even better.

Is it me, or does Taite look a little like Andy from Toy Story?  So cute.  Tomorrow we plan to get up and swim in the indoor pool at the RV park.  Then we'll do some sight seeing and head to Albuquerque.

Hasta Luego!  (Gotta start practicing Spanish now. ;-))

Lesson #5 ~ Lights And Spa Can Really Make A Fun Time

"OOOOOOklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the lane..."  We're here!  We got all set up and have enjoyed almost two full days now with the fam.  Right away Jim wanted to help get us into the Christmas spirit so he offered to help put some lights on the RV.  We fit right in now.

Everyone in the neighborhood has been enamored with the rig and stopped to behold the sight.  We all have enjoyed it so much we wanted to take a family picture in front of it.

Besides decorating the Flyer, we spent time yesterday playing baseball and football in the yard, playing house, drawing, reading, and using our imaginations.  Calla's imagination won the trophy as she set up her very own 'Ooh La La Spa.'  She made tickets and invited everyone to patronize her spa.  She offered services for hair, nails, ear candling, and massage.  Uncle Derick was the first customer.  Calla first worked on his crazy hair.  Then she gave him one of her famous massages, getting his neck, shoulders, and arms massaged.  Calla hired Aunt Michelle and myself as her free "workers."  We helped with massage since that seemed to be the service of choice from most of the patrons.  To sum it up Lincoln's comment was best, "Oh...this is great!"  He came back twice for massages.  Uncle Derick spent time in the post-treatment chair.  Taite enjoyed his detoxifying lemon water after his massage.  At the end of it all Michelle did Calla and Parker's nails.  "You pick color?" Michelle said in her best Asian accent then added a cute little flower on one of their nails.  Talk about a fun day!

While most of the country is dealing with snow and rain, we have the wind we sing about in Oklahoma.  Tornado and strong wind advisories fell upon Oklahoma.  At 1:30 this morning I awoke to the RV swaying and shaking back and forth.  I began to wonder if the RV would tip over or be picked up and moved across the neighborhood.  I woke up everyone sleeping in the RV and moved us inside.  The RV is still in one piece today, but the 50-mile/hour winds did a number on the lovely red Christmas lights. 

Tousled lights certainly won't ruin our Christmas.  We exchanged gifts today since Derick and Michelle head back to Iowa Sunday and the rest of us start driving west.  Most importantly, we know that Christmas is not about presents or lights.  It's about Jesus.  We are all thankful for the gift of God's grace.  We're all praying for a Christ-filled Christmas for each of our family and friends.

Lesson #4 ~ Family is Forever

“And they’re off,” as our friend Laura said.  Our trip began yesterday...a day earlier than expected.  Not for any specific reason, except that we wanted to ensure we’d have time to say Merry Christmas to Travis’ grandmothers.  So yesterday we drove to the south side of Kansas City and parked ourselves at Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Charlie Dunlop’s place.  They were kind enough to let us “plug in.”  How handy to bring all of our own food, beds, heat, and more...and get to visit with two of our favorite family members along the way. ;-)

As we prepared to leave, things didn’t start very smoothly.  Both Travis and I were asking each other to help with our To Do’s so we could get on the road, but we each had many of our own To Do’s to accomplish as well.  We got huffy with each other.  Finally we were all in the Flyer, ready to leave for 6 weeks.  I asked Travis to lay the ground rules of the Nautica Flyer.  We talked about the rules of sitting, eating, noise levels and bathroom use.  Then, thankfully, Travis prayed for safe travels (as so many of our family and friends are doing - thank you!), he prayed for restored patience (much needed), for love amongst ourselves and everyone we visit, and for God’s direction.  I let out a deep sigh and we all gave a huge, “AAAAAMEN!” 

This is the first time we all are in the rig together.  So far either the kids were not along or I was in the van driving behind so we could have a travel vehicle during the days.  What an experience!  First the kids wanted to rest and read books...so we all went to the back room where there is a queen size bed, and we laid on the bed as I read books to the kids.  Then someone had to go to the bathroom.  We didn’t have to stop!  They could just go in the bathroom on board.  Then someone was hungry.  No problem!  We have a pantry, shelves, and a refrigerator full of food!  I’ll make you a snack!  Then someone else had to go to the bathroom.  So glad we didn’t have to stop again.  We played games, listened to Christmas music, and fully enjoyed the seven and a half hour drive to the Dunlop’s.  There was even a fight or two along the way...so we put someone at the table and someone on the couch - completely separated.  They couldn’t even pretend to touch each other! 

We got to Des Moines and I said, “This is the way to travel!”  Seriously!  If you have a willing driver (thank you, Travis!) and can afford the gas, it’s the way to go!

This morning we woke up and did our morning routine.  We got to visit with Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Charlie a little more, then we went into Osawatomie to visit Grandma Wilson at Vintage Park assisted living.  She was in the lobby with 10 of her senior friends finishing an exercise class they all did sitting in chairs.  (Sign me up for senior living!  Seriously!)  The kids found Grandma and went right over to shower her with hugs.  I was so glad that God’s love was shining through them.  I remember when I was 8...90-year-old people made me nervous.  And a room full of them caused me to pin myself to my mom’s side and shyly say hello to whoever was there.  And I would have been the one whispering to my mom the entire time we were there, “when are we going to leave?”  Today, from my children I saw manners, smiles, hugs, and conversation - all without me encouraging it at all.  And today, from the residents at Vintage Park I saw smiles, hugs, and my children being showered with presents and treats from people we had never even met.  Feeling the love!

We spent just a half our with Grandma Wilson so we could also visit with Grandma Boots in Ottawa.  It’s always fun for everyone to have the opportunity to converse with Grandma Boots.  The woman - in her upper 80’s - is as sharp as a tack!  Nothing gets by her.  And boy, the history stories she can tell!  Taite, Calla, Travis, and myself are always asking her to share something about her past with us.  We call them history stories, but they could have happened as recently as two years ago. ;-)  During our short visit today we learned about the ice box Grandma used in her house.  Last time we were enthralled for about an hour hearing all about the arrowheads she has collected from her farmland.  When it was time to leave my kids let out a big, “Awwwww!”  (They would have stayed all day!)

Priceless.

I asked Lincoln and Parker what their favorite parts were about our trip yesterday or this morning.  I thought for sure they’d say it was driving in the RV.  The concensus among everyone was visiting Charlie, Carolyn, Grandma Wilson, and Grandma Boots.  What a blessing to have such amazing family all over to visit, learn from, and share hugs.

We are about to arrive in Grove, Oklahoma, where we will spend the rest of the week with Travis’ parents - Jim and Linda - and his brother, Derick, and brother’s wife, Michelle.  We are all looking forward to it!  Until next time...‘Bye y’all!  (Practicing my Oklahomish.)

Lesson #3 ~ Dogs Are People Too!

As we contemplate the idea of leaving tomorrow instead of Tuesday, we frantically work to pack the RV and accomplish all of the "To Do's" throughout the weekend.  One of the "To Do's" was to take KC over to my sister's house.  (Thank you again, Mindy, for taking KC for 6 weeks!)

I brought him to Mindy's house around 7:30 tonight.  He had known something was going on all day.  He was not interested in napping (all day) like usual.  He followed me around or watched out the window every moment.  When I finally told him to come with me he had these big, sad eyes.  But he hopped in the van.  Mindy only lives 5 minutes from us so we arrived quickly.  Grace, Mindy's cat, is not used to other people being in the house - especially not a dog.  Her welcome for KC was less than cordial.  KC paced Mindy's house, staying close to me at all times. 

Mindy and I chatted for a few minutes.  I started to walk toward the doorway and KC came with me.  Mindy encouraged KC to come back up the stairs.  He did because he's a good listener, but as I took another step, he came right back down to my side.  I couldn't give him enough hugs. :-(  My baby. 

Clearly I'm a dog person and someone who is not a dog person would think I'm crazy.  He is the first being I ever had to care for.  He's like my oldest child.  He's turning 13 next week...and we won't be here for it.  Guilt.  I mean look at this face...

Mindy has already texted me, assuring me all is well at her house.  I'm sure this will be a big step in Grace and KC's friendship. 

Big hugs to my KC.  I'll miss you buddy!  Have fun with Mimi and Grammy!  Thank you Min!

Lesson #2 ~ Kids Get As Excited As Parents For An RV Trip

I'm doing the dishes with Taite, Calla, and Lincoln last night. 

Calla singing: One, Two...Kalamazoo
Three, Four...Jersey Shore
Five, Six...West Phoenix

Me:  Calla!  Those are all real places!  How do you know about them?!

Calla:  They are?!

Taite:  Oh, it's a T-Mobile commercial.

(Ha!  Thank you football commercials.)

Taite:  We made up our own song for the trip.  Do you want to hear it?

Me:  Of course!

Taite and Calla:  One, two, three...We're taking the RV
Four, five, six...On Route 66
Seven, eight, nine...It's gonna be a good time!!!

Love it.  They've decided that we'll be singing this as we pull out of the driveway in the Nautica Flyer.

Four days and counting.

Lesson #1 ~ God's plans are better than ours

Lesson #1 ~ God's plan is always better than ours.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you fill find me.”  (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT)

If you would have asked me ten years ago what I wanted my life to be like today, I would have said, "I would like to be in management at my pharmaceutical company, make good money, and have children."  I'm sure written somewhere are 5-year and 10-year sales, business, and life plans.
I’m also sure that God saw me writing these goals on a piece of paper and chuckled, saying to Himself, “Oh, if she only knew the plans I have for them!”

When Travis was changing jobs in 2004, I was mortified when he told me he wanted to begin another business that was a 100% commission independent distributorship with Family Heritage.  NOT AGAIN!  I had a pharmaceutical job with GREAT health benefits, a car and everything that goes along with it, flexibility on hours, and a solid base salary with healthy bonuses.  I strongly encouraged him to look into pharmaceuticals or medical device sales.  He did, and came back feeling very convicted to begin an insurance business selling Family Heritage products.  God had a plan.

Lincoln was on his way in 2008 - 4 months en utero or so.  I was overwhelmed with wanting to be a stay-at-home mom.  At the time, Travis’ business wasn’t where we needed it to be to make it work financially.  We could either sell our recently-purchased, larger home and move into a mobile home in Oklahoma or I could find another way to earn an income.  A home-based independent distributor business came along (MonaVie).  My pharmaceutical income was quickly replaced - and I became a stay-at-home mom.

The years went on, now having 4 kiddos.  We've gained some and lost some - like my dad and a few grandparents.  Trav's business has grown exponentially.  MonaVie is impacting us in incredible ways.  Through it all we've grown closer to God.  At one point I was ready to really listen to God and a dear friend of mine taught me how to hear.  Since then I’ve heard God tell me things to do and things not to do.  Each time I hear, I try my hardest to obey.  Easier said than done.

It was last year November (2011) when I heard God say, “Begin homeschooling...in January.”  I didn’t tell Travis right away - probably because I didn’t want to.  Once I told him, he had every excuse of why we should not homeschool.  “We want our kids to be around other kids - they need the social time; you don’t have a teaching background; maybe when we get to the tougher years like middle school.”  He had all the same excuses I had - we liked being normal (whatever that means!).  I told God I just wanted to obey Him and if it was His will that we homeschool, He was going to have to convince Travis.  It took 3 weeks and a comical series of events for Travis to say, “Ok.  I guess we are supposed to homeschool in January.” Again, God has a plan.

So here we are.  A homeschooling, home-based business family taking our lives on the road in an RV for the next 6 weeks.  Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California...along Route 66.  Ha!  Who would have ever guessed this would be our lives?!  Not me.  But we are finding that it's way better than we could have ever planned or imagined!  We are all so excited to see what God has in store for us over these next weeks!

We look forward to having you join us for the adventure!

I Almost Forgot

It's been 10 months since my last entry - mostly because I forgot we had this blog.  We've had lots of funny kids stories since then.  Thankfully I'm writing them in my little journal.  It's almost full so I'll have to turn digital pretty quickly. 

Today we made laundry detergent.  How funny is that?!  I'm such a homeschool mom.  I have a 5 gallon bucket of laundry soap that is to be diluted by half.  For my fancy front loader washing machine I need a quarter cup of this diluted detergent per load.  This detergent might last us a year!  I've had other detergents cause rashes on our skin so I'll be curious to see if this one will work. ;-)

Besides making laundry detergent this weekend we also cleaned out the garage.  We worked hard at cleaning out all the mouse poop.  Yes, my fault.  I left out some birdseed and the mice found it.  We've found 3 mice so far.  We found their hiding spot.  We stuffed it with peppermint-scented cotton balls and we put glue traps out.  So far so good.  

Last week we spent time at a pumpkin patch, an apple orchard and the science museum.  Quite a busy week!  I think we'll stay home this week - no field trips.  We need to clean the house since we'll have some house guests next weekend. 

This blog will be useful as we travel this winter.  I'll keep you posted.  (I think. ;-))

We went to Target this week and Taite and Calla used their money to purchase something they've been wanting...workout shirts. They were on sale for $9.08. Of course, they were something they don't really need so if they wanted them it was their money they had to spend on them. It was a great math lesson for the day.

One thing to point out is how much Taite loves to be in comfy clothes. He wears track pants and t-shirts (or now his new workout shirts) everyday. If he's not in track pants he's in shorts. The only day he doesn't wear track pants or shorts is Sunday when we go to church - but he changes when we get home. ;-)

Although Taite has always worn this attire, Calla is wearing her new workout shirt too. I think Travis and I inspired them to wear workout shirts and actually workout as we've been doing our P90X workout in the basement each morning. We find the kids will come down the moment they wake up. Sometimes Taite participates in the exercises, but usually all the kids sit and watch us. Taite got a set of weights from Mimi and keeps them in his bed - along with a band. He says he wakes up and does 20 to 30 sit-ups and push-ups each morning. Gettin' buff!

Calla is liking the new workout shirt, but mostly because it's pink. She wears it with jeans. Dark jeans - that's important. Usually she wears tank tops (and I impose a sweater, sweatshirt, or any other long sleeved top on her). Now with this new shirt being long sleeved I've had at least 2 less clothing discussions with her.

Lincoln has his own workout shirt, too. He's part of the 'in crowd' around here. He really couldn't care less about the shirt or the workout, but he likes that Taite likes it.

Because it's February, we are spending some of our homeschooling time doing valentine's things and president things. We just read a Magic Tree House book about Abraham Lincoln - great book! We have one more Abe Lincoln book and another president book to read for the month. We also finished the Oregon Trail book we got from a friend. Now the kids want to visit the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and see the gateway to the westward expansion. Field trip! (We'll be there in May - hopefully the kids can come. They'd love to go on a covered wagon trip to Oregon too. Hmmm...

Now that Taite is done writing his spelling words...it's back to school for me.

K

We are having a great time with our homeschooling experience! We are experiencing our ups and downs as we learn more about how best to teach, learn, and have fun with school.

Yesterday after school was over, Taite said he wanted to "paint his face." That meant he wanted to put black lines under his eyes like a football player. Then he wanted to write his favorite Bible verse on the black lines - John 3:16. I guess that's his own form of Tebow-ing. ;-)

On Monday for math we worked on measuring. He drew a football field on a piece of construction paper using his ruler. He measured each ten yard line to be at the inch. Then he got creative and used thin red tape to make the 'N' for Nebraska in the middle of the field. It is now hung on his wall. So the thing I learned this week is to utilize football as much as possible while learning. ;-)

Today is a full school day of phy. ed. Travis took him to Buckhill Ski Resort in Burnsville to go snowboarding. They are both taking lessons and snowboarding for the day. I hope to post a picture of that.

Taite loves phy. ed. and anything causing him to work out. I'll post his work out regimen when I figure out how to add pictures.

For spelling right now I'm just taking the words I find him misspelling and using 10-15 of them each week. We have writer's workshop twice per week. He writes stories for that - but I find him writing more often outside of this designated writing time. He likes to write - and he's good at it. He's great at attempting to spell things.

All for now. I'll try to be consistent at posting funny stories or fun things we do with homeschooling - or just plain old life. Have a super day!

Kate

We are starting a blog! Too many fun things going on in our lives in 2012 to not document it. I've contemplated doing this for awhile. Instead I've had a notebook where I keep all the funny stories about the kids...and nowhere to keep the details of our adventures.

In January 2012 we started homeschooling, an online Bible study I wrote called Introducing...Heaven (I just penned it, I didn't create anything), a new MonaVie year - 2.0, and a new Family Heritage year. It's sure to be our best year ever!

We'll be seein' ya!

K