Vacation?

We've just returned from our trip to the East Coast. After having to change our clocks on Saturday night for Daylight Savings and then having to adjust them to the Eastern Time Zone on Sunday, we decided that we may reconsider traveling that direction for Daylight Savings Weekend in the future!!

Anyhow... we started off the week in Monticello where Ray C. and the children had a wonderful time hanging out with family! My parents came down to get me so I could go to my grandfather's house for a few days to help them clean it up! We were able to get rid of a lot of empty boxes and papers from 15 years ago that he didn't care about having anymore! (By the way, he approved of everything!)
After a full day of cleaning and a good 8 hours of sleep, my aunt called early Wednesday morning to say that my uncle had died of a heart attack. My mother and grandfather were devastated, but we know God had a hand in the timing with us already being there for the news and Papa not being by himself.

So, we traveled to St. Simons Island, GA for all of the funeral arrangements and stayed there the remainder of the week in a condo that a friend graciously loaned us. Ray C. and the kids met us on the island, and we were able to enjoy being with family in a different situation than we had planned.
The children were amazing! They did so much "adult stuff" the whole week with great attitudes. They were actually very interested in the whole death process. We allowed them to see Uncle "T" in the casket, and they were not afraid at all. Chase kept touching him to be sure he really died. He was very confused about how he could die but still be here. We had some great conversations about death and souls.

Chase announced on Saturday morning that he couldn't wait to bury Uncle "T". When I asked why, he just shrugged his shoulders and said "cause I've never done it." My mom and I looked at each other and, at the same time, said to him, "We're not going to bury him ourselves, you know!" He actually thought we were going to dig the hole!

The kids sat through the funeral and the burial service and were excited to see that Grandaddy was the preacher for a change! Jean asked my dad to do the service because Uncle "T" thought so much of him. In fact, he said that he was one of three of the most incredible men he'd known in his life!

The entire week was a celebration of Uncle "T"'s life - exactly the way he would have wanted it!

Day 2

We slept until NINE this morning!! I seriously don't think I have done that since before kids - even on days when the kids have been elsewhere! It was so amazingly wonderful!

After lounging around and getting some work done on the computer, the kids made lunch! Really! They made sandwiches for all three of us and called me in there when they were done! I had a drink, turkey and cheese sandwich, and chips! What a turn around!! Is this my life?

After lunch we went bowling and had a blast! We all got strikes. Mary Frances actually got two and gave us a perfect bow after each one! There were no losers. I was the first winner. Thomas was the second winner, and Mary Frances was the third winner! I love their twists on things!After a game of bowling, we stopped for a drink at Sonic and then took Thomas to get his allergy shot. Then, we went to the public library. The kids were disappointed about missing their library days at school this week. So, they asked it we could visit the public library instead on each of their days. Why not?

I loved watching them choose their books. At school they have learned all about how to choose good books. Mary Frances told me the way she chooses hers is to read it a little to see if she likes it.

Thomas requested a "book buddy" which holds the place on the shelf while you are pulling books out. The librarian didn't have one but did give them strips of paper to use instead.

After that, we went to the grocery store and then off to pick up Honey, Grandaddy, and Chase! We were so excited to see them! The kids were thrilled to be back together. It never ceases to amaze me or make me feel all warm inside at how much they view themselves as a unit.

They all had a hard time being away from each other! In fact, Chase hugged all over the kids, but completely forgot about me even though he called me several times while he was gone and said, "I hope you miss me" in the most pathetic voice you've ever heard!

Well, we're all back together -- except Ray C. who is SICK in Guatemala! We're hoping and praying he feels better tomorrow!

We're off to the rodeo tomorrow!! Yeehaw!

Houston Tourists

Today we toured Houston a little!! I told the kids I would take them to the Museum of Natural Science but didn't realize until we got downtown that they really never see it down there! I've gotten used to the city because I do so much work down there, but they were mesmerized by everything. So, we decided we were tourists for the day!Our first stop was the Metro City Station where we parked our car and paid (a very weird thing to do for those of us in the "country" where we park for FREE). Then, we made our way to the Metro Rail, paid for that, and jumped on when it made it to our stop. The Metro Rail is actually a train that runs through the downtown area of Houston and makes stops just like a city bus! We have those too, but we thought the Metro Rail would be more fun -- and it goes right through the museum district. This is the best picture we could get on the train without looking like TOTAL tourists!

When we got off the train, we had to walk 2 blocks (on another GORGEOUS day) to the museum. I pointed out several things to the kids as we walked. One was this fountain that MANY brides come to for bridal and engagement pictures. So, Mary Frances suggested that we take our own pictures. So, we stopped for a mini-photo session! When we walked back by after our trip, we saw an engaged couple, a bride, and a girl having her quincenera pictures made.


The main reason we went to the museum was to see the dinosaurs! We were so excited to see T-Rex. Well, Mary Frances wasn't, but we were! We saw several different types of dinosaurs, a mastodon, and much more! Thomas really liked the fossils!
They both agreed that the science presentation was one of their favorite parts! They both were chosen to be helpers. Thomas assisted the scientist with a density experiment. It turns out that a boiled egg will sink in fresh water and float in salt water!
Mary Frances assisted with an acid v. base experiment. I was a little afraid that he had chosen the wrong person because I could just see her dropping it as soon as it fizzed, but she did great! He put vinegar in the bottle, and then attached a balloon with baking soda in it to the top. When the baking soda dumped into the bottle, it fizzed so much that it made the balloon start blowing up! She was a great assistant!
Thomas was very excited to see the Egyptian Exhibit! We even got to see a REAL mummy, but we weren't allowed to take pictures. It even showed the CT Scans that were made when it was discovered to show the backbone and more!
Can you tell how excited he is?
Who needs to go away for vacation when you can tour your own city? I must say that I am very proud of myself for being able to get to the Metro Rail, get off on the right stop, and make it back to my car without any problems. That is saying a lot for the girl who doesn't go anywhere in Houston without the GPS!

Spring Break

We are looking forward to a unique and fun Spring Break! Ray C. left for Guatemala early Saturday morning, and my parents flew in and took Chase to Arkansas for a few days! So, Thomas, Mary Frances, and I have some special time together, and we have been enjoying ourselves tremendously!!

Saturday was much too busy to count as Spring Break with everyone coming and going and then the wedding I had to do. So, we started our Break on Sunday with Cowboy Sunday at church!! After church we ran a few little errands since no one was expecting us anywhere. Then, we came home, read, rested, and then went for a run/bike ride!

We played at the park and rode the bikes some more. Then, we came home and hung out in the house for a while until we heard the beautiful sound of THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!!! I admit it...I was the first to recognize it and start running! All the kids came out, and we enjoyed some delicious ice cream on the most beautiful day we have seen yet this year!!

It was so beautiful that we couldn't go back in. So, I cleaned out the car and the kids played until close to bedtime!!

What a fun first day!! In fact, Mary Frances said it was the best day EVER!

Day 4...

Wednesday we went to Blanco State Park, just outside of Austin, to attend a class about Animal Tracks. It was given by one of the park rangers and actually set up for home schoolers, but anyone was able to come along. There was only one other family there. So, the kids got lots of attention. They made animals prints out of plaster and went on a hike looking for real animal prints. The most interesting to me was the Ringtail Cat which I had never heard of. We saw several of its prints near the river.

After that we came back to the house. I cleaned up while Ray C. and the kids rode the four-wheeler all afternoon, and then I took another nap!! We made spaghetti and, of course, had s'mores AGAIN!

It has been a fun vacation. I feel bad taking the kids and Sugar back home to be confined in our little yard and to only be able to go outside while supervised! It has been so much fun for them to roam free, go on adventures and “safaris”, and play in the dirt. They have been so dirty every night that it makes me happy to see the boys being boys! Mary Frances has enjoyed the adventures as well, but the boys have been in HEAVEN this week.

I am so grateful to my husband for planning out this vacation and allowing us to have so much fun!

Day 3...

Today is Chase's kind of day...a day when everyone wears GREEN! When I told him yesterday that everyone would be wearing green today, his jaw dropped. He was so excited!

Sugar is doing fine. We keep checking her for bleeding and keep popping he Vitamin K pills. I really think she is wishing she was a farm dog. She gets to run free all day long. What a blast!

I woke up this morning to Chase saying in my ear, “Rise and Shine. It's morning!” When I looked outside I saw the perfect conditions to see deer. So, Ray C. agreed to watch the kids so I could go out for a few minutes, but I didn't get very far. I tried to quietly walk across the rock driveway, but as soon as I took 2 steps, a deer started blowing at me. I hunched down under the blanket that was wrapped around me and waited, but before I could see them, Chase opened the door and Sugar took off running after 2 big deer! I did see them, but not until Sugar chased them away! Oh well, maybe tomorrow!

Today, we visited the public library for a special St. Patrick's Day craft, and then Ray C. did a little story time with the kids. We also heard a bagpipe player outside of the library. We ALL enjoyed listening to him play Amazing Grace since it is a family favorite – a very common bedtime request, actually!

After the library, we went over to a popular sandwich shop recommended by friends – Alvin Ord's. We bought some delicious sandwiches and took them over to the park where we ate, played, walked, and even stuck our feet in the gorgeous spring water. The only down side was when I lost my phone at the dock! Oh well, it isn't the end of the world!

After our park adventure, we came home, and I took a 2 hour nap!!! That might have been the highlight of my trip! I love being out here, but I am exhausted!!

The kids played, I got dinner together, Ray C. prepped the grill. We ate hamburgers and smores. We played with Sugar, and then Ray C. took the kids on the 4-wheeler. It was a great day in the country!

By the way, the country boy has returned! Ray C. gets teased a lot for being a city boy, but he really belongs out in the country. He grew up with trucks, guns, and duck boots. So, when he gets back to it, it fits him. He loves the city, but he comes alive out here.

Day 2...

So, Monday started at 6:45 because our kids NEVER sleep in! You'd think that the time change would help, but it works against us every season!

Ray C. had planned for us to leave by 10, but we were gone earlier. Actually, we were about to leave at 9:30 when we realized that Sugar (our sweet dog) was eating rat poison! I had seen her eating it earlier, but thought she had gotten some soap. It was waxy and green. It actually looked a lot like a Greenie dog treat.

Anyhow, we called our vet, and they said we needed to get her in to a vet right away. So, we began our trip by dropping her off at the vet for a fun day of vomiting, eating charcoal, and ingesting Vitamin K to counteract the blood-thinner that makes up rat poison! She stayed with the vet while we moved on to Natural Bridge Cavern.

It was so beautiful. It was discovered by a group of 4 college students from St. Mary's College in 1960. I can't imagine what it must have looked like to them when they first discovered it! The rooms in the cavern are huge. One of them was the size of a football field – filled with stalagmites and stalagtites. I could never remember which was which, but they said the thing to remember is that stalagtites hold tight to the ceiling and if stalagmites keep growing, one day they might touch the ceiling! I like that

Thomas journaled all day – drawing pictures of each sight. I gave him a journal before we left so that he could keep a daily record of what we do for Spring Break. He has really enjoyed it.

When we emerged from the surprisingly humid cave, we walked into the cafe for lunch and saw some of our neighbors. So, we enjoyed some lunch with them before heading off to pan for jewels! The kids found some really great stones and arrowheads.

After that, we decided to journey through the Wildlife Safari. I have to say it was my idea, and it was disappointing. I was so excited about going, but it just didn't do much for us. However, we did get REALLY close to the zebras – close enough to see all the green junk he was “saving” between each of his teeth! Chase even got to pet him!

Before returning home, we picked up Sugar, paid our HUGE bill, and received instructions on how to care for her the rest of our vacation until she can be seen by her vet. We have to wait for blood work results to come back to see how much she actually ingested!

We had a wonderful dinner outside enjoying God's creation. Then, it was off to the showers to pull out cactus spurs and clean up for bed!

Tomorrow, we're going to the library for a special St. Patrick's Day event!

Spring Break

We just returned from Spring Break where we had no internet access - very nice!! However, I did keep a good record of what we did. So, I'm going to post each day one day at a time! Hope you enjoy!

Vacation started today at 10:00 a.m. We left the house for San Marcos with a very detailed itinerary for the week prepared by my sweet husband. First we stopped at Bastrop State Park in Bastrop, TX. We had lunch and hiked for about 2 hours before returning to the car. We were all worn out before we could even finish the trip to our destination! We still had an hour to go!

We arrived at the house at about 5:00 this evening. We are staying in the home of a friend from church. It is amazing – a beautiful Texas style house with living area, kitchen, bath, and 1 bedroom upstairs, and then a bunk room downstairs! The kids are in love.

There is Longhorn poop everywhere – like at the front step. Seriously, there are four HUGE piles just between the house and the car and that's only about 10 feet! We are hoping to see some tomorrow! We've already seen 4 deer today – in the park!

We grilled hamburgers for dinner and enjoyed smores afterward – all part of daddy's master plan!

It took a little while to get the kids to sleep, but everything is quiet now. I would love to lay around and read, but I'm too exhausted! I've got to go to bed, too!

Caverns are on the agenda for tomorrow! I can't wait!