Vacay day 2 – will we see the beach today?

Sleep felt so good, unfortunately we were woke up around 2 am to some very strong storms!  I don’t like storms!  The thunder was so loud, it woke Cayden up and he had to come get in bed with us bc he was scared.  So we were later than we wanted to getting up.  See, I know it’s vacation and that’s supposed to mean doing whatever and not worrying about time and sleeping in and all that but we had planned to go to the beach every morning and hang out at the campsite every afternoon.  We had a few reason for this.  First, I do not handle heat well, odd that I live in Texas and love the ocean so much, I know but it is what it is and we have to keep it in mind.  So we figured the mornings would be somewhat cooler, maybe and afternoons could be for resting.  Second, to save money on food and not be eating out the whole week, we planned to eat all meals at the campsite so we wanted to be up early enough to get to Destin have beach time and be back to eat lunch at the RV.  Well, since we got up late, we needed to change plans.  We needed to run to Publix and pick up a Sun Pass for the toll bridge we needed to cross and we wanted to run by walmart bc we didn’t bring any floaties.  Of coarse walmart took longer than expected bc well that store is just a big black hole especially with 5 children!  lol  Of coarse we thought of more things we “needed” too and didn’t know where anything was.  Then back to the RV to have lunch.  After we had to make sure all beach items were in Silver, get sunscreened and finally we were on our way, knowing we needed to be back in time for dinner.  We finally made it into Destin about 3:30 or 4 ish and then we couldn’t find the public beach access!  We finally found this one place and we parked and we walked and walked and walked, there wasn’t many people here but it was ocean and sand and we had found it!  lol.  It did have a neat sand hill to roll down!  J  We knew there had to be a better place but we still had a good time!  On our way back, we saw a better public beach access (which we haven’t used yet) and we also stopped by the State Park right there in Destin and discovered that bc we are camping at the State Park in Niceville, we get in free!  Cool!  They have lots of beach and restrooms!  Its so nice!  Then we got back to the campsite and didn’t have chili dogs bc the mustard was forgot!  We had hamburgers instead.  Mmmm.  Then we watched a movie and bedtime!  It was a good day!  J

Vacay day 1 – Let’s get there!

4:30 rise and shine and get moving!  It was shortly after 5 when we were pulling out.  All babies were awake and asking for a movie.  No one was hungry yet and we were all anxious to get started!

7:30 Gas and potty stop!  Wouldn’t you know the one we find in the middle of no where is under remodel and we have the privilege of using their Porta-Potties!  Lol  We decided to drive down through “Lousy”-ana so we would be along the coast for the rest of the trip.  I think we may go back a different way just bc.

8:30 Breakfast!  Woohoo, found a Cracker Barrel!  Love that place!  Kirsten wanted floppy bacon but it came out too floppy!  lol  so she didn’t want it but Keegan decided he wanted it but he likes crispy bacon!  We sent it back and it came back to us crispy alright!  lol  He didn’t want the “black” parts so I ate them!  Mmmm.  J

9:30 back on the road again.  Babies are listening to Charlotte’s Web book on CD and the three olders are working on math.  I take this time to go through pics from my camera so it will be empty for vacay photos!  Had a few pit stops a long the way, just traveling on.  Crocheted some on Honey’s blanket I’m making for him.

1:30 Lunch!  Babies are hungry.  Charlotte’s web ended and movies began.  Chris and I want Arby’s and the other kiddos want McDonald’s.  Since we are pulling the RV, no drive-throughs.  Honey waited in Silver while I ran in and got food in both places.  The littles were super excited to get Mario toys with their happy meals and Kayson carried his Yoshi around for two days!  Lol

2:30 finally said goodbye to “Lousy”-ana!  Also began to hit some traffic.  Started seeing some interesting clouds, checked radar, looked like we were going to drive straight into a storm!  Passed an accident, looked like a rear ending with one car spun all the way around.  More traffic, lots of rain and some thunder.

4:30 Hello Alabama!  We had stopped at a Love’s before leaving Mississippi and the babies were excited about it and talking about stopping at another one on another trip with Papaw!  J  Then we found more traffic!  But I was able to get a good pic of a cool car as we passed it slowly.  Then we got to Mobile.  Wow, they have some really interesting buildings!  Even the jail was neat.  However, that tunnel was NOT neat at all!!!!  I almost cried, the kids loved it!  I don’t think of myself as claustrophobic but I do not handle tunnels or caves or parking garages well!

6:30 FLORIDA!!!  We had made it to Florida!  We stopped at the visitors center but they had already closed.  L  We did get a pic with a neat Dolphin statue.  The two littlest had got small naps.  We were starting to get hungry and we were tired but we were trying to make it to the campsite while we still had some daylight so Honey could get the RV set up.  We saw 10 deer as we were driving.  They are such pretty creatures.

7:30 Arrive at campsite!  Whew!  Glenn gets the RV set up, I read the park rules and make a trip to the bathroom with babies.

8:30 Dinner!  Honey went to get Little Ceasers.  After dinner was bedtime!  We were so glad to be here but we were exhausted!  I think a 9 hr drive in one day is too much.  Ahhhh…..sleep!  J

Will You Laugh?

So as I sit here unable to sleep and keep thinking, I need to blog, I really should blog, its been such a long time since I blogged, so here I am, blogging! lol Now, what to say, what to say, what to say? I'm sure there must be something that needs to be said since I can't get "type a blog" out of my head. There are things I would love to say but I know now is not the time. I really wonder what people would like to read about? Do I really have anything to say that would touch someone? Do I really have anything to say that someone would actually find entertaining? Oh, and then there is that line up above with two little words "post title"! That has to be two of the most intimidating words in a blogger's life, or at least this blogger's life! Title? title? You mean I am supposed to some up whatever comes out of my fingers in a few words? really? Ummm....Maybe I should just start naming them blog 1, blog 2, blog 4,561 (yea, right!) lol! See, I try to be funny, was that even funny at all? or just incredibly lame? Maybe 1 in the morning really isn't the best time for this, but it's QUIET in my house! It is actually, truly, incredibly QUIET! No one is screaming MAMA or MORE or HE DID IT! I'm not harping on anyone to clean this or learn that or GET DOWN! Seriously, I can actually hear myself think and the clicks of the keys as I type! The TV is OFF! No Mario, or Sheep Snacks, or Chuck the Truck, or those stupid turtles! Ugh, I can't stand the turtles (you know, those ninja ones!) I just don't get it, oh, but the boys do! They love them! Now, minions? I LOVE the minions! My children assure me, though, that I cannot EAT the minions since I seem to think they look like those marshmallow Peeps! :D So, Here's to seeing if I can feel more inspired in the future. I find I have more to say than I think I do if I will actually just sit down and start typing. Anything in particular my adoring (ha) blog fans (bc I have sooooo many) would like to know? If you laughed at least once then I think maybe this post has done it job. I think I'll title it, will you laugh? Ta-ta for now, sleep tight, don't let the babies bite! :)

The Revenge of Peter Rabbit

This is Chris's journal entry with a prompt for our first classes with our homeschool group, ETCH.

It started out like any other day in Mr.Mcgregors garden then something very strange happened.The scarecrow blinked once.He blinked a second time.He coughed.....

Then he jumped up and ran after Mr.Mcgregor. But the scarecrow was really peter rabbit.He wanted revenge on Mr.Mcgregor. Then after running around peter finally cornered Mr.Mcgregor and jumped on top of Mr.Mcgregor. then he ran away laughing and saying I finally got my revenge.

By Chris Derr, Age 11, 10/11/13

The Power of God

This is Kirsten's journal entry with a prompt for our first classes with our homeschool group, ETCH.

It started out like any other day in Mr. Mcgregor's garden. But then something very strange happened. The scarecrow blinked once. He blinked a second time. He coughed.....

Then He stood up, off of the cross and walked away. Mr. Mcgregor felt a strange tug at his heart to follow the scarecrow. And as the scarecrow walked into the forest He began to change, He wore a white robe and sandals on His feet. Then His face began to change He had white hair and a glowing light shined around around Him. Mr. Mcgregor was amazed that this scarecrow had become a man. He was astonished and then afraid, and began to tremble. What evil magic is this he thought, what has this world coming to. the man said "it is no evil it is the power of God. And I have come to help you. For you have not been a righteous man and God has a plan for you and everyone on this earth". I must go but you must be a better man Mr. Mcgregor said "who are You to judge me like this", beginning to grow angry. "I am the Son of God, I came to help you". Mr. Mcgregor grew white"how how can You be Jesus? There's no proof". Jesus said"look at My hands and My feet'. Mr. Mcgregor looked there were holes in each one both hands and feet. Mr. Mcgregor dropped to his knees,"leave me Lord for I am a sinful man". Jesus said"I can forgive your sins child if you believe". And while Mr. Mcgregor began to cry" I do Lord I do", and when he looked up Jesus was gone. Mr. Mcgregor stood up and walked back to the garden. When he got there the scarecrow was back on the cross of sticks. Mr. Mcgregor ran to his house, his wife noticing something wrong asked" what's wrong honey". He said" I've seen the Lord and we must change"."Why? Mrs. Mcgregor asked we're fine just the way we are. Mr. Mcgregor frowned and said" we must change". So the Mcgregor family changed and became the most God fearing people in the forest. THE END

p.s. Peter rabbit saw the whole thing and hopped home to change his family and became the most God fearing rabbit family ever.

By Kirsten Derr, Age 12, 10/11/13

Crazy Busy Part 5

The next week we had the first VBS. The one they go to every year and they always look forward to it so much! Keegan missed the first two days though bc he was still getting over being sick! The week after that was the second VBS. Kirsten got to go to that one. I went to the Healthy Living Institute while they were in VBS. It was also a busy month of Glenn training. We had well-visits to attend in July and I had an eye appt. Glenn started his field training. I decided to declare the school year finished and take Aug off to try and get the house under control. Cayden turned 7. Then Sept came and brought with it the start of a new school year and the start of our new-improved schedule. Now are days are filled with school and park days and trying to fit in time to go work out. We have a pumpkin patch field trip coming up. Things still feel somewhat crazy, we are still adjusting to Glenn's changing schedule and looking forward to a more permanent one. I meant to type this entry a while ago! lol, well, at least I am typing it now, right? Meme and Papa's trailer is here, they have their new address and power. Now the new mailboxes need put up, water and a/c need installed and furniture moved in! Chris went over and "Papa-sat" today so Meme and Mama could go shopping. He enjoys spending time with his Papa Marty and helping out. Chris even made them lunch, balogna sandwiches! :) I don't think this is going to be a very long post, this time. I shall try to talk to you again very soon.

Crazy Busy Part 4

Fri, June 7th, Glenn had to work, I wasn’t feeling the greatest so I slept in (actually I didn’t start feeling all that much better till sometime the next week!). Kayson was still sick and my other two littles were in Texarkana with my sis so I was missing them! We got the call that Kayson’s x-ray came back clear, PTL! The clinic said go ahead and finish the antibiotic, which we did but later realized that what he had was a virus and the antibiotic didn’t even help. I could say more about this but I think since that is not the point of this post, I will refrain. ☺ We still needed to pack for Edinburg! Then I get a call from my sis that Keegan is not feeling well, very low or no fever, upset tummy but she says go ahead and go on to the funeral, he’ll be fine. So we finish packing, say goodbye to Kayson (he was staying with my mom) and head out. We stopped at Brookshire’s before leaving town to get a few more newspapers bc Honey getting commissioned was in it, with a pic of me pinning him! ☺ While we were there, we discover one of the kittens rode all the way they under our van!!! We finally caught it and called my daddy who met us halfway to take it home! It’s a good thing we stopped there before we got too far! We headed on our way once again, made a stop for dinner and kept going. Around midnight we made it to Houston and decided to find a hotel but soon discovered there was a Bible Bowl and a baseball tournament that weekend and all the hotels were full. On we went. You should have heard our silliness, we were so tired and the olders were having me ask Siri all kinds of questions! lol! After Houston we found a hotel and crashed for a few hours! Whew! Sat, June 8th, Up early to finish our travels to make it in time for the 2 o clock funeral. Was so thankful for free breakfast at the hotel before we hit the road. Sometime Glenn remembers he left his funeral clothes hanging in our closet! Oh NO! So we found a Burke’s outlet and stopped in there. Everyone got something, it was a fun stop and on we went. The further south we got almost made us feel like we had entered another country. ☺ We kept seeing cars being towed, some behind mini vans, some were pulling more than one car at a time. We passed the checkpoint on the other side that we would have to make it through on the way home, I was like, Honey are you sure we are still in Texas? lol. We sure were seeing some pretty scenery, too. Then we couldn’t find the church and we had to call them for directions, then we had to stop and change clothes and we barely made it there but we made it! It was so sweet, Uncle Henry was so special! It was good to see family, especially since we had missed the reunion this year. On the way to the graveside I called to check on Keegan and my sis said he was not doing well at all, had thrown up, was running a low temp, wouldn’t get out of bed, wasn’t drinking, I didn’t know what to do, we couldn’t get back, we were about 13 hrs away! That was so hard! We decided she would call after hours care and call me back. My parent’s were headed that way too for Sun. I told them to call Glenn’s phone, it was on vibrate, bc I was leaving mine in the van and we went to the graveside. I had to step far away from everyone though when the call came, I HATED to take a call during something so sacred, if it had been for any other reason I never would have! I was so worried someone would think I didn’t care or was being rude! I was also so worried about Keegan and so heartbroken that I was so far, and we had forgot to leave ins info with my sis or a medical release! After care nurse said to watch him for dehydration and that it was just (JUST!?! Yea, right!) a virus. Back to the graveside, where we could smell Uncle Henry’s favorite Burger King cooking. Afterwards Uncle Henry’s little great-grand daughter was collecting flowers from the arrangements and then came up to Chris and wanted him to dance with her and held his has hand and announced this was her prince! It was sooooo cute and he was so sweet about it all, walking her to her car and everything! Afterwards we all went to eat at the Burger King. Also found out that one family member who had already headed home and went through the check point witnessed a trunk load of illegals getting caught. Kirsten was like oh, cool, maybe we’ll see something like that and I was thinking no thank you! lol. Then we visited with more family, ate at IHOP before getting back to the hotel late. Sun, June 9th, Keegan had perked up some when Papaw (my daddy) got to my sis’s house and he was finally keeping some Gatorade down. My parent’s weren’t going to be back to the property till late that evening so we knew we didn’t have to rush home, still had a LONG drive, though! We took the olders to a big McDonald’s close to the hotel they had seen and asked to go to for breakfast. It was a really nice one, with a big play area and nice big booths, real long, we could’ve fit our whole family at one! We stopped by a fruit stand we passed. Made it through the border patrol checkpoint without any interesting happenings. We decided to stop in Corpus Christi for a walk on the beach, my idea, I knew we couldn’t stay long but I just wanted to feel the sand and waves, even if only for a little while! We went by a souvenir shop first and got some surprises for the littles and then the wonderful walk on the beach! I just LOVE the beach! I have went back to those few brief minutes many times since then! I can almost hear the waves and feel the sand as I type. So beautiful! Then lunch at Subway before getting back on the road and wouldn’t you know it was right next to a marble slab and Honey was like you got the beach, I get to get ice cream! lol. Then he told the olders they could get anything they wanted! That might’ve been the first time they have ever heard those words! They really had a big weekend! ☺ As we were sitting outside eating our ice cream we notice a storm rolling in so we finish up and get on our way. It was my turn to drive, the GPS got me kinda confused and then we saw a stand selling beef jerky and stopped for Glenn to get some, by this time the storm was almost upon us! I got through it though! Then right before Houston we switched drivers again bc I was NOT driving through there! On we went. Somewhere along the way we switched drivers again and I drove the rest of the way home. We got home around 10:30 or so, shortly after my parents had arrived home with the littles! It was so good to see them and that the two youngest were ok for myself! They were both still running fevers (high ones now) but they were so glad to see us and us, them! Keegan was at least up some and eating and holding things down so I know he was ok even with the fever and Kayson was fine as long as he had motrin in him, it was just so good to hold him! At this point I was pretty sure I would never ever ever let them out of my site ever again!!! It was a long full weekend, with good and bad but most definitely one we will not forget! Next post will conclude our crazy busy series of postings.