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