Several times today I had to remind myself that we had actually been on a vacation, it seems like so long ago! As usual I jumped right into the routine I need so much when I am home and David is working. I don't think I realized before this trip just how rigid with my routine I had become! It felt good to stray from that routine, let the kids play after their scheduled bed time, skip naps once in a while, play games with them and do all the things that get left in the dust when we are just trying to survive each day:)
In a few weeks school will begin, but for now I am enjoying reading to my soon to be two year old, putting puzzles together with my five year old, and playing a challenging game of Mario Brothers with my soon to be seven year old. Life can't get much better than this:)
God has been so good to us throughout our travels. We had good weather, no vehicle or camper troubles and actually got to relax! We learned a few things: 1. We LOVE camping! 2. There is nothing we can't accomplish as a family when we set our mind to it...even if it means a 14 hour day of driving. 3. The kids learned that there are no ants that live in the south that don't bite!
We are getting in the swing of things now, but we can't wait to travel again soon with our little family:)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
It Was AWESOME!!
My last post left everyone wondering how the trip went...so here is the update! I eagerly awaited the day before the trip so I could start packing the camper...and much like the proverbial watched pot never boiling, I felt our trip would never start. Of course the day did come and I couldn't sleep, so I was up at 2:00 in the morning when we weren't planning on leaving until about 3:30 or 4:00! David made his way out to the pitch black living room at 2:10 and inquired why I was sitting in the dark. Couldn't sleep...ready to get going. He agreed and we began getting the last minute things packed and kids in the truck.
We made great time, and got to the first campground in plenty of time to set up, almost lose the camper as it rolled backwards down the slope of a spot where we were parking for the night, and crawl into bed exhausted from not sleeping the night before. It was at this campground that we learned that just because the campground has a franchise name on it, doesn't make it a good place to stay. We were disillusioned by this campground, and wondered if we would find any place nice to stay for the next few nights. I sent up a flare prayer to the Lord as we decided to stay at a state park in Alabama. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Roland Cooper State Park was clean...level and practically empty:) We had a full hookup (camping speak for water, electric and sewer) which was very important in the extreme heat that we had while there.
We met some amazing people, one of which taught us the art of skinning a catfish. He had caught a 32 pound catfish just shortly before we met him and was busy giving my kids a lesson in catfish anatomy and some southern hospitality too! We spent two nights at that campground and loved it! We were up early and on the road the third day. It was the last leg of the journey to see Rose and Matt. As we pulled up to the driveway there were balloons that said, 'Welcome Back', and halfway down the driveway there was a hand made 'Welcome Home' sign!! As we pulled around back, David was honking the horn and I was jumping out of the truck:) As I jumped out, Rose ran out the back door and we landed in each others arms, laughing and smiling. Sigh...it was good to be home:)
I am not one for change, and overall I found the log house unchanged, but I have to say the improvements that Matt and Rosie have made make the house even more appealing. What used to be the school room is now the playroom and Matt has made sure that there is plenty of great things to keep the kids busy! Air hockey table, basketball hoop up in the loft, pool table all equal fun! And Rosie proudly showed me the upstairs bathroom which Matt just refinished, and it is so classy!! I guess even I can admit that change is sometimes good:) The house still smelled the same to me, and still felt like home, and I soon found myself in the middle of helping Rose in the kitchen like we used to when we were younger, single and had nothing better to do than sing hymns while doing dishes:)
The children acted as if they had always known the Morris kids, and all seven of them got along great. I was relieved to find that not only did I love Rose's kids, she seemed to love mine as well! All fears were laid to rest, we found time to talk, catch up, look at pictures and watch our kids play. Matt even set up a karaoke 'station' on the front porch where the kids and then their parents crooned songs to the people driving on the four lane above us! I jumped on the trampoline and laughed until I cried.
We persuaded some teen girls to come and watch all SEVEN kids so that we could have a double date! The girls were complete saints, and even seemed to enjoy themselves. Surprisingly they still had their hair when we got back several hours later!! Those wonderful girls allowed the four of us to go out bowling with each other, travel to Gulfport for an amazing dinner, and love each other for what we were, adults who love to laugh and have fun. Sometimes this is lost in the fact that we have seven children who are very well behaved, but need our attention just about 24 hours a day.
The men were gracious and drove us ladies to see a spot that we had visited together as teenagers. As we walked around the grounds of the Beauvoir, the giddiness of girlhood returned and you could hear the two of us saying, "Remember when we said...", "Remember when...". It was a trip back in time. Rose had wanted to see a bed and breakfast that was in Pass Christian, so we drove over and got a tour of the neatest bed and breakfast I had ever seen. Rose, Matt and I were wondering where David had gotten off too when a back door creaked open and in strode none other than...Dave! He had gone around back looking for someone to give us a tour and when he found nobody, he made himself at home and ducked in through a back door. Much to my horror he instantly stopped the man giving the tour and asked to use a bathroom!! True to form, the tour guide was gracious and opened one of the rooms not being used at the time for David. True to form, David explored the room to every possible corner and finally relented to my dragging him out of the room before they kicked us out!
After we got some ice cream, we headed home to relieve the human sacrifices that we call babysitters. Those girls were amazing, all the kids were tucked in bed and asleep by 9:30! We visited dear friends (like another set of parents really) and invaded Mr. Dan and Mrs. Linda's house with three adults and seven children:) They seemed to love having the kids crawling around the house and we loved laughing with them and getting pictures of Rose and me with all of our kids crowded around some of the great people we call family!
Spending time with Mrs. Mary, Lauren, Carrol and their children was so much fun! Michael, Caroline and Evie are some of the cutest kids around:) We laughed until we cried as we read some of Laurens short stories, "Thesaurus Roberts". How fun to read through these stories that were written so long ago. I know they were funny to us then, but they are even more so now as each story reminded us of some small memory that we had forgotten. The last few visits I made to the log house as a young lady were truly more like a big month long slumber party!
The week went by at just the right pace, it didn't fly by and we certainly weren't bored. The kids lived in the swimming pool and on the trampoline, and we had the visit that we had waited so long for. Time has brought change into our lives, but our friendship stays the same. And I have a whole new respect for the man my best friend married. I watched all week and could see how much he loves his wife and family, and how much he does to keep them safe and happy. I can't thank him enough for his hospitality.
We made it almost through Knoxville when we made a split second decision to stop and stay a few nights in the Smoky Mountains! The benefit of having your home right behind you (camping) is that we had the freedom to make that decision. Our dear friends Kim and Rob gave us the green light to keep the truck and camper an extra day, and we veered towards the East and up into the mountains. We packed our day full of nature, good food and fun and fell into bed exhausted just thinking about the drive home. We knew we had to make one long day and get all the way from Tennessee to New Jersey.
The kids were great as we made our way over many miles and after several delays due to accidents on the road ahead, we made it home in about 14 hours. Again the benefit of having the camper was having a bathroom always on hand (very nice when you have kids) and around 7 pm I changed the kids into bed time clothes, got some snacks ready and they watched a movie until they fell asleep.
We are home, and are so glad to be here. Life will now go back to some sort of normal and we will have the pictures in our hands and the memories in our hearts to always keep this trip alive. And it will hold us until we get to see our Southern family again, hopefully sooner rather than later this time:) Now our prayers go out with Kim, Rob and family as they pack up and head out for a much needed vacation. Rosie, I updated my blog...just for you:)
We made great time, and got to the first campground in plenty of time to set up, almost lose the camper as it rolled backwards down the slope of a spot where we were parking for the night, and crawl into bed exhausted from not sleeping the night before. It was at this campground that we learned that just because the campground has a franchise name on it, doesn't make it a good place to stay. We were disillusioned by this campground, and wondered if we would find any place nice to stay for the next few nights. I sent up a flare prayer to the Lord as we decided to stay at a state park in Alabama. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Roland Cooper State Park was clean...level and practically empty:) We had a full hookup (camping speak for water, electric and sewer) which was very important in the extreme heat that we had while there.
We met some amazing people, one of which taught us the art of skinning a catfish. He had caught a 32 pound catfish just shortly before we met him and was busy giving my kids a lesson in catfish anatomy and some southern hospitality too! We spent two nights at that campground and loved it! We were up early and on the road the third day. It was the last leg of the journey to see Rose and Matt. As we pulled up to the driveway there were balloons that said, 'Welcome Back', and halfway down the driveway there was a hand made 'Welcome Home' sign!! As we pulled around back, David was honking the horn and I was jumping out of the truck:) As I jumped out, Rose ran out the back door and we landed in each others arms, laughing and smiling. Sigh...it was good to be home:)
I am not one for change, and overall I found the log house unchanged, but I have to say the improvements that Matt and Rosie have made make the house even more appealing. What used to be the school room is now the playroom and Matt has made sure that there is plenty of great things to keep the kids busy! Air hockey table, basketball hoop up in the loft, pool table all equal fun! And Rosie proudly showed me the upstairs bathroom which Matt just refinished, and it is so classy!! I guess even I can admit that change is sometimes good:) The house still smelled the same to me, and still felt like home, and I soon found myself in the middle of helping Rose in the kitchen like we used to when we were younger, single and had nothing better to do than sing hymns while doing dishes:)
The children acted as if they had always known the Morris kids, and all seven of them got along great. I was relieved to find that not only did I love Rose's kids, she seemed to love mine as well! All fears were laid to rest, we found time to talk, catch up, look at pictures and watch our kids play. Matt even set up a karaoke 'station' on the front porch where the kids and then their parents crooned songs to the people driving on the four lane above us! I jumped on the trampoline and laughed until I cried.
We persuaded some teen girls to come and watch all SEVEN kids so that we could have a double date! The girls were complete saints, and even seemed to enjoy themselves. Surprisingly they still had their hair when we got back several hours later!! Those wonderful girls allowed the four of us to go out bowling with each other, travel to Gulfport for an amazing dinner, and love each other for what we were, adults who love to laugh and have fun. Sometimes this is lost in the fact that we have seven children who are very well behaved, but need our attention just about 24 hours a day.
The men were gracious and drove us ladies to see a spot that we had visited together as teenagers. As we walked around the grounds of the Beauvoir, the giddiness of girlhood returned and you could hear the two of us saying, "Remember when we said...", "Remember when...". It was a trip back in time. Rose had wanted to see a bed and breakfast that was in Pass Christian, so we drove over and got a tour of the neatest bed and breakfast I had ever seen. Rose, Matt and I were wondering where David had gotten off too when a back door creaked open and in strode none other than...Dave! He had gone around back looking for someone to give us a tour and when he found nobody, he made himself at home and ducked in through a back door. Much to my horror he instantly stopped the man giving the tour and asked to use a bathroom!! True to form, the tour guide was gracious and opened one of the rooms not being used at the time for David. True to form, David explored the room to every possible corner and finally relented to my dragging him out of the room before they kicked us out!
After we got some ice cream, we headed home to relieve the human sacrifices that we call babysitters. Those girls were amazing, all the kids were tucked in bed and asleep by 9:30! We visited dear friends (like another set of parents really) and invaded Mr. Dan and Mrs. Linda's house with three adults and seven children:) They seemed to love having the kids crawling around the house and we loved laughing with them and getting pictures of Rose and me with all of our kids crowded around some of the great people we call family!
Spending time with Mrs. Mary, Lauren, Carrol and their children was so much fun! Michael, Caroline and Evie are some of the cutest kids around:) We laughed until we cried as we read some of Laurens short stories, "Thesaurus Roberts". How fun to read through these stories that were written so long ago. I know they were funny to us then, but they are even more so now as each story reminded us of some small memory that we had forgotten. The last few visits I made to the log house as a young lady were truly more like a big month long slumber party!
The week went by at just the right pace, it didn't fly by and we certainly weren't bored. The kids lived in the swimming pool and on the trampoline, and we had the visit that we had waited so long for. Time has brought change into our lives, but our friendship stays the same. And I have a whole new respect for the man my best friend married. I watched all week and could see how much he loves his wife and family, and how much he does to keep them safe and happy. I can't thank him enough for his hospitality.
We made it almost through Knoxville when we made a split second decision to stop and stay a few nights in the Smoky Mountains! The benefit of having your home right behind you (camping) is that we had the freedom to make that decision. Our dear friends Kim and Rob gave us the green light to keep the truck and camper an extra day, and we veered towards the East and up into the mountains. We packed our day full of nature, good food and fun and fell into bed exhausted just thinking about the drive home. We knew we had to make one long day and get all the way from Tennessee to New Jersey.
The kids were great as we made our way over many miles and after several delays due to accidents on the road ahead, we made it home in about 14 hours. Again the benefit of having the camper was having a bathroom always on hand (very nice when you have kids) and around 7 pm I changed the kids into bed time clothes, got some snacks ready and they watched a movie until they fell asleep.
We are home, and are so glad to be here. Life will now go back to some sort of normal and we will have the pictures in our hands and the memories in our hearts to always keep this trip alive. And it will hold us until we get to see our Southern family again, hopefully sooner rather than later this time:) Now our prayers go out with Kim, Rob and family as they pack up and head out for a much needed vacation. Rosie, I updated my blog...just for you:)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Excitment Builds:)
Well the countdown stands at one week and six days and the excitement is building in leaps and bounds here. The camper that we are using to travel down to Mississippi is sitting in the back yard, tempting me to do something. I couldn't help any longer...I took two rolls of paper towels and two boxes of macaroni and cheese out and placed them lovingly in the camper:) ~Sigh~ There I did something....the trailer can tempt me no longer; until tomorrow that is.
I told my dad about it and he laughed at me, but had lots of helpful hints for my family's first camping trip. I remember a lot of what we did when I camped with my parents, but there was a lot I wasn't responsible for...so it was a good thing I kept my eyes open! Levelling the camper, awnings, hooking up to electric, water and sewer; all good things to know:) Of course every camper is different, so we have to learn how Rob and Kim like their camper taken care of.
So why did I put just a few boxes of mac and cheese in the camper? Well it's about 100 degrees outside the camper, no telling what it is inside the camper and I could just picture cans of exploding baked beans and corn...ALL OVER:) I know Kim will love me for not doing that, I don't think that telling her I was excited would be enough to smooth that over!
As a kid you don't realize there are actually processes that have to take place to get from point A to point B. My kids are only worried about how many more days before we get there. Now I have to keep telling myself that I am responsible for the things that my parents used to be. Either way, responsible or not, it's going to be a blast!
I told my dad about it and he laughed at me, but had lots of helpful hints for my family's first camping trip. I remember a lot of what we did when I camped with my parents, but there was a lot I wasn't responsible for...so it was a good thing I kept my eyes open! Levelling the camper, awnings, hooking up to electric, water and sewer; all good things to know:) Of course every camper is different, so we have to learn how Rob and Kim like their camper taken care of.
So why did I put just a few boxes of mac and cheese in the camper? Well it's about 100 degrees outside the camper, no telling what it is inside the camper and I could just picture cans of exploding baked beans and corn...ALL OVER:) I know Kim will love me for not doing that, I don't think that telling her I was excited would be enough to smooth that over!
As a kid you don't realize there are actually processes that have to take place to get from point A to point B. My kids are only worried about how many more days before we get there. Now I have to keep telling myself that I am responsible for the things that my parents used to be. Either way, responsible or not, it's going to be a blast!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
To Forgive Or Not To Forgive....
Lately I've been running up against situations that are causing me to have to make some tough choices. Sometimes it's the mental choice to forgive that is the hardest; especially when it's your feelings that have been hurt.
Tonight I heard some rumors that are being actively spread by people close to me...and it hurt. It hurt enough to bring a few tears to my eyes. Nothing wrong with feeling hurt, but it's how I handle those feelings that counts. The Lord came so sweetly and reminded me that I have a duty as a Christian to show those who don't know Him how He would forgive them if they only asked. The truth will come out, it's not my responsibility to retaliate.
If I take the "ugly" road and spread hurtful things about those people, how would that show God's love to them?
So I shed my tears and sat down to talk with the children about the importance of saying kind things about our friends and family. They understand that it hurts people when we say mean things, and more importantly I reminded them that it hurts our Lord when we are mean to others. God never asks us to do what He wouldn't do...
It doesn't matter what their motives are to say those things, what matters is my heart attitude towards them. God promises that everyone will answer for their actions; that reminds me to work on my faults and not stare at the faults of others. I have enough to keep me busy with my own faults:)
I think the one thing that I've learned in 31 years is that God doesn't say that it won't hurt. He gave us feelings; we are responsible for what we do with those feelings. Let me just say, their salvation means more to me than my feelings...and I know it means more to God too. And I would walk through fire to teach my children how to handle things in a way that is pleasing to God.
Tonight I heard some rumors that are being actively spread by people close to me...and it hurt. It hurt enough to bring a few tears to my eyes. Nothing wrong with feeling hurt, but it's how I handle those feelings that counts. The Lord came so sweetly and reminded me that I have a duty as a Christian to show those who don't know Him how He would forgive them if they only asked. The truth will come out, it's not my responsibility to retaliate.
If I take the "ugly" road and spread hurtful things about those people, how would that show God's love to them?
So I shed my tears and sat down to talk with the children about the importance of saying kind things about our friends and family. They understand that it hurts people when we say mean things, and more importantly I reminded them that it hurts our Lord when we are mean to others. God never asks us to do what He wouldn't do...
It doesn't matter what their motives are to say those things, what matters is my heart attitude towards them. God promises that everyone will answer for their actions; that reminds me to work on my faults and not stare at the faults of others. I have enough to keep me busy with my own faults:)
I think the one thing that I've learned in 31 years is that God doesn't say that it won't hurt. He gave us feelings; we are responsible for what we do with those feelings. Let me just say, their salvation means more to me than my feelings...and I know it means more to God too. And I would walk through fire to teach my children how to handle things in a way that is pleasing to God.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Camper Is Here!
It's official, the camper is in the backyard, thanks to Uncle Rob and Steven for bringing it over and sweating to death while showing us some tricks and tips:)
This is an unbelievable trip! One worthy of journaling and picture taking to be sure. Seven years since I've seen my dearest friend in the world. I don't know any of her kids personally but can't wait to be a part of them, love them up close and personal:)
We could never thank Kim and Rob for their absolute selfless love and generosity that they have shown to us. Absolutely the truest of friends would let you use their gorgeous camper! LOVE YOU GUYS! You and God are truly dream makers:)
Oh and David bought me a brand new camera just to commemorate our trip. I know it already, once I get in the truck (you see Rob bought my grandfather's truck just before he passed away) the memories will come flooding back and I will probably cry most of the way down our street. I can't wait to start this trip!!
The credit for this trip belongs to:
God first and foremost - without Him nothing is possible!
Robert and Kim Scamaffo for the use of not only their camper, but their truck as well (still amazed that they love us that much).
Kristin Marie for watching our home and animals while we are away, we couldn't have done this without you!
Miss Mary, La and family, Miss Linda, Mr. Dan, Josh, Jairus, Rose, Matt and kids, here we come! I can't wait to hold you for real, not just in my heart:)
This is an unbelievable trip! One worthy of journaling and picture taking to be sure. Seven years since I've seen my dearest friend in the world. I don't know any of her kids personally but can't wait to be a part of them, love them up close and personal:)
We could never thank Kim and Rob for their absolute selfless love and generosity that they have shown to us. Absolutely the truest of friends would let you use their gorgeous camper! LOVE YOU GUYS! You and God are truly dream makers:)
Oh and David bought me a brand new camera just to commemorate our trip. I know it already, once I get in the truck (you see Rob bought my grandfather's truck just before he passed away) the memories will come flooding back and I will probably cry most of the way down our street. I can't wait to start this trip!!
The credit for this trip belongs to:
God first and foremost - without Him nothing is possible!
Robert and Kim Scamaffo for the use of not only their camper, but their truck as well (still amazed that they love us that much).
Kristin Marie for watching our home and animals while we are away, we couldn't have done this without you!
Miss Mary, La and family, Miss Linda, Mr. Dan, Josh, Jairus, Rose, Matt and kids, here we come! I can't wait to hold you for real, not just in my heart:)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Real Life Improv
I have told many students that go through my EMT class that 90% of being a good EMT is knowing how to improvise and use whatever you have. There just aren't enough scenarios to teach the students everything they might see on the road. I mean goodness, I haven't seen it all that's for sure. I love that our instructors bring something unique to the table, we learn from each other.
Tonight I had to put my speech about improvisation into practice! Brandon has learned how to climb out of his crib, and is generally very nimble about it. But tonight I think he was a little more tired than usual because he slipped and bit both sides of his tongue. By the time I reached him blood was pouring out of his little mouth. I quickly called for Zach to grab me an ice pack. He raced back and said he couldn't find the ice packs but would a frozen pancake work? :) Why yes it would!
Brandon wasn't scared to put the pancake in his mouth (he loves food) and it was frozen solid, so it soothed his poor tongue that had two big bite marks on it! Thank the Lord for giving me creativity, and using Zach to get me there:) I think that's enough accidents for one night...
Tonight I had to put my speech about improvisation into practice! Brandon has learned how to climb out of his crib, and is generally very nimble about it. But tonight I think he was a little more tired than usual because he slipped and bit both sides of his tongue. By the time I reached him blood was pouring out of his little mouth. I quickly called for Zach to grab me an ice pack. He raced back and said he couldn't find the ice packs but would a frozen pancake work? :) Why yes it would!
Brandon wasn't scared to put the pancake in his mouth (he loves food) and it was frozen solid, so it soothed his poor tongue that had two big bite marks on it! Thank the Lord for giving me creativity, and using Zach to get me there:) I think that's enough accidents for one night...
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Countdown
Okay, the countdown begins today!! One month from today our family will pack up and head South! I am so excited I've been giggling and squealing like a 13 year old girl:) Every time I think about seeing all my family down South I am speechless, all I can do is smile! Just a few more days and I will make our campground arrangements, and I've already begun to make a meal plan for our travelling time down and back.
I have such amazing memories from my girlhood and I can't wait for my children to experience the same joys that I had during my visits to MS. A while back when we were first making plans to visit with Rosie and her family I have to admit I was nervous. Rose and I have been friends a long time, but I wondered secretly if after a lifetime of being the best of friends, would our friendship survive the changes we have made to be mothers and wives or would we have outgrown the friendship. It sounds silly, but we all change and we all know that some people come in and out of your life for a short time, to fulfill God's plan in our lives, but the friendship fades.
Questions filled my head, what if they find my children obnoxious? What if Rose and I sit in complete silence and stare at each other with nothing to talk about, nothing in common? A few days ago I got my answer. Rosie called to talk about something with me and instantly we began laughing with and at each other. My dad had told me once before that some people are life time friends, and that Rose would always been one of those. He was right, the things we have in common have not changed. We love our family, our homes, each other; now we have more in common than ever with children in the picture!
Yes we've changed but we've grown together, side by side. And if we sit in complete silence, it will be because we are revelling in the chance to be together and watching our children build lifetime friends with each other.
I have a funny feeling about this trip...my feeling tells me that once we spoil ourselves with this visit together we won't be happy without more frequent visits than once every seven years:)
I have such amazing memories from my girlhood and I can't wait for my children to experience the same joys that I had during my visits to MS. A while back when we were first making plans to visit with Rosie and her family I have to admit I was nervous. Rose and I have been friends a long time, but I wondered secretly if after a lifetime of being the best of friends, would our friendship survive the changes we have made to be mothers and wives or would we have outgrown the friendship. It sounds silly, but we all change and we all know that some people come in and out of your life for a short time, to fulfill God's plan in our lives, but the friendship fades.
Questions filled my head, what if they find my children obnoxious? What if Rose and I sit in complete silence and stare at each other with nothing to talk about, nothing in common? A few days ago I got my answer. Rosie called to talk about something with me and instantly we began laughing with and at each other. My dad had told me once before that some people are life time friends, and that Rose would always been one of those. He was right, the things we have in common have not changed. We love our family, our homes, each other; now we have more in common than ever with children in the picture!
Yes we've changed but we've grown together, side by side. And if we sit in complete silence, it will be because we are revelling in the chance to be together and watching our children build lifetime friends with each other.
I have a funny feeling about this trip...my feeling tells me that once we spoil ourselves with this visit together we won't be happy without more frequent visits than once every seven years:)
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