Road Trip Day 15

Grant was in a bad mood this morning. I had to get on him about all the screaming. I really need to know how to help him find his words and accept life.

We went to a fair with my mom. Wow it was amazing. So many booths of activities for the kids, free stuff, Art exhibits, etc. Best part is it was so close. We wee all beat in a few hours. Both the kids fell asleep in the car. Grant stayed asleep for a good nap but not Sherman. Times like this I wish we had their beds.

Today we will pack to go to my brother;s side of town and eat all the Popsicles, yum.

Raod Trip Day 14

Today is all to ourselves. mom is busy so we will have to fend for ourselves. We ate almost all the breakfast stuff that was left and set out to find the closest park. Love my GPS. Not only did we find a cool playground but the most awesome pool complete with zero depth, kiddie slides and mega slides. We went back to the hotel for lunch and suits. Mom was able to join us for a bit. The rules wouldn't allow Reye to go down the cool slides unless someone was at the bottom. Just couldn't swing that while watching the other three.

We absolutely loved it. Should go earlier next time. The twins were a bit clingy and actually fell asleep on me while I was sitting in a chair in the water. Reye wished Randy was with us for this. Dad could have gone down the slides with the kids. I would have loved to have done the slides myself.

We came back for a early dinner of chicken and noddles. At least I didn't set off any alarms this time.

The kids watched another movie and then we decided to go shopping. The kids were actually tired of movies. We were going to get some food for breakfast and a few activities for the kids to do at the hotel. We were going to go to Walmart but I missed the exit. What a blessing. My GPS took me right by my Grandmother's old apartment. This is where she lived when I was a child. I remember making daisy chains, riding in her car and getting Burger King. Wish we could have visited.

We ended up at a Super K Mart. Not a very good selection. Kay was having a rough night. Reye managed to push Kay when she tired to get out of the car. The the twins were acting up and they didn't have the toy she wanted.

When we got back I gave Kay some time to herself. She was having a melt down. We all are in need of a little space. two full weeks of togetherness.

I got to sit back and just watch the rest of them. What a delight to watch the other 4 playing with play dough. Sherman also got a mini hop and a bunch of balls. He was delighted and so was I to watch and encourage their play.

Road Trip Day 13

This morning we actually had somewhere to be, my brother's by 10:30. i am so much more relaxed than at home. We met Laura, Danielle and David at a park. The kids tried hoolu hoops for the 1st time. Grant was fickle about the swing. In rear form crying about everything. Back to their house for lunch. The older one's played the Wii and a board game. Laura and I took the twins to look at our lodging for next week. Good thing. You pay extra for everything. So mom and Laura are going to let us borrow a few items.

Then we came back to Mom's to go to the Monon. A super cool exercise/play place. The kids can stay for 2 hours. I managed to lock my keys in the car. Mom's friend Becky is a life saver. She lent Mom and I her car so we could go to my appointment. Things went well and the kids had a great time. We went out to a restaurant called "Noodles." Very good and worked well for the Twins. This time Sherman was the fussy one coming in. didn't want to hold hands or be in a high chair. Independent.

Home in time to watch another movie and to sleep. Just been enjoying the kids so much.

Road Trip Day 12

We just took it easy this morning as it was just me, the twins and Kay. We went to Carey's house for our play date. The boys had, had a great time. Complete with ice cream. They were going to wash Reye's clothes and let him sleep in his underwear and an extra shirt till Reye informed them he forgot to put underwear on. We ate some lunch and then I realized i didn't have Petra. Ha, she was still at my mom's house. I was going to get her 1st but forgot.

We went to a splash park and it was really fun for the older ones. Sherman and Grant would really play. i had to sit on the ground and just let them climb on me. Finally they warmed up to it a bit.

At the hotel i tried to make some pork chops and they were smoking good. So good they set off the fire alarm. Then I went to take out the garbage and the bag broke on the kitchen floor. Thank goodness this area is carpeted. All for a good laugh. the staff of the hotel were very helpful.

Road Trip Day 11

We had eggs, cereal and toast for breakfast. We found out we had neighbors with 4 kids the same ages as ours. We planned to meet them at the pool. It was great fun and VERY LOUD. Managing all 5 in the pool is getting easier. No floaties. I just hold them in the big pool or they play on the stairs. The best is when they take turns jumping. Kay is also able to hold one of them. We are a good team.

Then we went to my Mom's and dropped Reye off at my friends. he was so excited to have a sleep over. Her little boy is about the same age.

Then we stopped at Conner Prairie and were blessed with a guest pass to walk the indoor area. It was better than our Children's museum. The kids loved it.

Then we met some of mom's friends that wanted to watch the kids while we has some mother/daughter time. We had a great dinner. Mom chose to keep Petra for he special night. Wow down two kids. Special time for Kay and I.

We stayed up late watch 27 dresses. A major girly flick.

Road Trip Day 10

The morning started out by taking Kay for a morning with Grandma. Let the tea party begin.

It started raining hard as soon as we dropped her off. I took the other kids to McD's. We sat in the car to eat hoping the rain would slow down enough that we could make a run for the play area. In no time we were in McD's. Great play area complete with a basket ball hoop. I spent most of my time talking to my sister in law. It is great getting better connected with Randy's side of the family.

Then we went to the grocery store. Looking forward to cooking some real food.

We got to go see my brother and his family today. David and Danielle are so grown up. We had a house full. Even mike came with Chole. Reye was so excited to have another guy to talk games with. They played the Wii and a board game. Grant was very clingy today. We went for a walk after dinner and he wanted to be carried.

Road Trip Day 9

I was on my game this morning. Up ahead of the gang for a shower. We were all packed and out the door for church by 8:45. Picked up some yummy twists at Duncan Donuts. Made it to church with plenty of time to spare. A good thing since I still needed to dress the twins. Car seats and are a life saver. With Indiana weather I can put them in, leave the doors open and run like mad to get a few things done before we are off.

Church was good but I cried for Randy the whole time knowing how much he must miss being with his kids on Father's Day. We will have to do a rain check when we see him in Ohio.

Mom fixed us lunch at her house and kept my kids in freezes on the porch. love that porch.. Sherman kept watering the plants. The girls were playing with my great aunt Ruth's dolls. So sweet.

Then we were off the the Suites mom is putting us up at. Totally awesome.

Then we went to the play place in the mall to meet my best HS friend Carey. We played, ate and played some more. She had her mom with her. It was great to see her. Our boys really hit it off. Carey has invited Reye for a sleepover on Tuesday. We are also going for another play date on Wednesday. Let the fun begin. Carey is an amazing women. Working those long shifts as a nurse while raising two boys. She goes from her mom's on the days she works. Her mom has the house all set up for them to stay. Family is great. Can't believe Carey and I have been friends for 25 years.

Back at the hotel the kids were excited to watch some Harry Potter but were even more excited when I mentioned "swimming!"

I handled all 5 in the pool quite well. The twins were either on my hips int he "big water." or playing on the steps of the Jacuzzi. Everyone was laughing and playing with the new noodles. Had to Give Reye and Kay their own end of the pool as they were driving each other crazy. Siblings. i was so happy with the twins int he last 15 minutes they were jumping into my arms like last summer. Yet even better because they were patient to wait their turn. Sherman with his high jump plunging deep into the water. While Grant would sit and slide in but still get his whole head wet. Both coming up with big smiles saying "again."

Petra wanted to do ballet in the hot tub. At 8:30 we went back to the room for a free movie, Kung Fu Panda. I set up the air mattress and it fit like a glove. Wall to wall beds in the living area. Again laying down with the twins till they fell asleep then off to my own bed. I am sharing with Reye as we have 3 queens. He did great at not running into me.

Road Trip Day 8

Nice to be finding a bit of a grove. I made orange cinnamon roll s for breakfast. the kids watched cartoons. they are loving access to cable. Watching Teen Age Mutian Ninja Turtles. I did a couple loads of watch and began to pack. Greg and his family will be back on Sunday and we want to be cleared out so they can settle back into their house. never did find a mop but I cleaned as best as I could. My mom cam over around 11:00 so we had lunch packed the car and went to "Bouncy Town." A place i found all on my own. This is so liberating to be able to navigate new towns by my GPS and just my own two eyes. I feel Like I could make it with my 5 just about anywhere. Bouncy Town was a big hit. the staff loved the kids so much they just let the kids play the skeet ball free of charge. who can resist Sherman saying, "ball, ball." Got to watch him. He is so independent. Always off in his own direction. Mom got a little overwhelmed with all the noise so she went shopping for a bit. Came back with so noodles for the pool.

After all that play we made it back to Greg's and Mom headed back home. I made lemon chicken, rice and broccoli from my favorite cookbook. Not the Chinese, sweet kind. A real healthy juicy kind. My kids couldn't get enough, Sherman kept saying, "meat, meat."

I write a note to Greg about all the food we ate, stuff we used, and sadly those thing we broke. it was a good teaching opportunity to show the kids that even parents have to tell the truth and take responsibility.

After dinner we searched the GPS for the park we went to yesterday. Put bug spray on this time and had a blast. Sherman was not only playing basket ball but also tennis, with the "guys." The rest of the kids were just running about. Reye banged his knee pretty good but kept playing.

We stayed up pretty late to watch another movie. It does make putting the twins down easier.

Road Trip Day 7

Today has been a wonderful day. I got my 1st really good nights rest. Greg's alarm went off at 5am but that was the only hicup. Thankfully not to much work needed for the fish tank. The pet store sold me a chemical to nutralize the water and another for any tap water I add. Horray. I don't have to empty the tank again. It was a bit dingy. No more have died. So hopefully the four that were lost weren't the favorites. After the pet store we went to book store and got some activity books for the kids. Then we got the $50.00 football for Reye. Wow, that was pricey. We came back to the house. I made some sausages and mac-n-cheese. Eating horribly here. I am cooking but seem to be eating like a horse again. Then we went out again to get some Father's Day cards. Wow. $27.00 for a few singing cards. It's worth it. He needs to know we love him. The twins never fell asleep. We got back and Mike, my nephew came by with his little girl. She is about 5 months younger than the twins. Just cute as a button. He is a great Dad. I was quite displeased with Reye and Kay. They had just found this new computer site and bearly had a minute to play with Chole or even say goodbye. We had quite the talk after they left. Glad to hear that Reye was even a little embaraced by how he acted. We tried to watch Harry Potter but the twins interupted it and we don't have the remote. I made spagetti for dinner. Then we went out to a new park. Yet again, praise God for GPS. Makes me feel right at home in this strange town. Reye kicked his new ball. Sherman warmed my heart as he joined a pick-up basket ball game. Just right in their with the big guys, and I do mean big. Kay still wasn't feelign that great. All the kids liked the old playground equipment. That one that goes around and around. My mom had other plans tonight so we are looking forward to seeign her in the morning.

I'll fix that spelling and grammer on a faster computer.

Road Trip Day 6

Today was just a day to recover. Kay's hives were REALLY bothering her. Taking benydril every 4 hours. Hoping we wouldn't need to go to a med clinic. give it time, give it time. I was a walking zombie. We had cereal, and eggs for breakfast. Boy can my kids eat. Mom showed up around 10 or so. We straightened up the place, talked, had lunch and then I went to the grocery store. Spent $100 for food for the next couple of days. So nice to have veggies again. Mom introduced the kids to the backyard dogs so they got to play outside. Very nice.

We went for a drive to put the twins to sleep. hooray it worked. I also got a nap. When i got up I noticed the fish tank was all pink on the bottom. Sherman had feed the fish ALL the food. Had to clean out the tank. Sad, a few did dye. I filled it with their rain water so it isn't all that clear. I plan to redo it and get them some more fish when they get back.

I cooked dinner and we watched a movie. Finally everyone was in bed around 10:30. This was the 1st night I didn't stay sleeping the the twins. How nice to stretch out.

Road Trip Day 5

Kay had a great night at Aunt Linda's. They even wrote her song. We slowly got things moving. Went to the park, then to hardee's for lunch. We came back and went swimming. the twins weren't quite ready for full play int he water. After a while Sherman warmed up to jumping into my arms. Grant took to the squirt gun and getting everyone that was int he pool. He was just adorable with his little facial expressions and stance. I also read Isiah 54. What a great message. Tried to get a little exercise while at the park. Running around the swings in between pushes. Off to my brother's house. they offered for us to stay at their house even though they aren't home. His older son, Mike came to set us up. He is a Dad to a toddler so it was great. he was moving dangers and such out of the way so we could live comfortably. The kids had some Popsicles on the front lawn and then we went out for dinner and another park. Love that GPS. I need to go the grocery but just too tired today. We also need to get a football for Reye and get the kids writing in their journals. we all stayed up till around 10 pm. the twins went down pretty easy. Sharing the bed with them again tonight. Kay woke up around 1:30 with hives. i searched the house high and low for benadryl and their was none. I woke Reye to listen for the twins and Kay and i were off for an all night Walgreen's. We were back in a flash. She took and oatmeal bath and got some meds. Poor dear. so allergic to my mom's dog. what to do.

Road Trip Day 4

Time to hit the road for my mom's. Got up and ready by 8:30. Then it started to pour down rain. We loaded the car under the umbrella. We stopped at one of my favorite restaurants, Bob Evan's for some biscuits and gravy. Wow did we get to much food. sherman wanted the candy by the front door. He was a pickle to settle down. Grant was just a perfect gentleman coloring. The kids all liked the colored straws. Kay wants the recipe so we can makes this at home. We made it to my mom's around 2:30 and within an hour mom was overwhelmed. The twins were great just full of energy. We went to a park with dinner from Steak - n - Shake. The kids had a great time. Grant is really putting his words together. Asking for French Fries. Then we went back to her house and got to visit with Linda. We were all in stitches watching Sherman and Grant play. they had baskets on their heads and were battling. They Reye was doing exercises to burn off some energy. Grant was copying and this was interfering with Sherman's game. Sherman also helped out Grandma bu sweeping her porch and watering her plants. Kay started to feel itchy so she slept over at Aunt Linda's. My mom slept over at her house to.

Road Trip Day 3

No driving today. We just relaxed at Bills house with his family. I took the kids to the park, went grocery shopping and help get lunch on the table. Grocery shopping was a bit crazy. The twins were tired and hungry. They didn't like having to wait for all the yummy fruit I was putting in the basket. After lunch I tried to get the twins to relax for a nap by watching a movie in their strollers, no go. They weren't mad but just full of energy and joy. It was hilarious. Decided to try the old stand by. Put them in the car, made a phone call and they were asleep. Didn't even have to drive around the block. Bill came home from work and his wife and I got to hear about his day. We also talked a bit about old times. Remembered a road trip to six flags we were suppose to go on and ended up going the wrong way. Good reason for the my GPS these days. Everyone hit the sack early and the twins were a bit loud going to bed. They settled down after about an hour. I am enjoying the closeness with them. Grant has been so happy on this trip. He isn't having tantrums.

Road Trip Day 2

We started out the morning at Burger king. they had a great play scape. My 5 little monkey's were playing hard. At 9am we set out with some prayers from an old prayer warrior. Afterwards all the children shared something about God. no prompting. Kay wants to be a rock star. She has a song about falling down and how God can pick you up. Reye wants to make a computer game where the guy rides around on the Bible and Grant just kept saying Bible, Bible, Bible. Warmed my heart. We stopped for gas and a park for lunch and that was it. We drove for 9 hours. The trees, rocks and sky were magnificent. We made it to my old HS friend Bill's around 7pm. They had pizza ready for us. They have a beautiful house and back yard. Bill's my age but started have kids way before me so his 4 range from 10-17. The girls were fast friend with the 10 yr old and Reye got to play video games with his 14 yr old son. Bill and his wife are wonderful hosts. The twins and I slept in the living room.

Road Trip Day 1

Started packing for the trip around 9pm on Friday. Finally had it all together by 2:30 on Saturday. We returned movies and library books and were off. Love my GPS. Was able to look for a park to have dinner at. Reye had to go to the bathroom so we stopped at a Fire Station that was next door. The twins wanted to climb the stairs. Kay wanted to know if they still used a pole. Everyone thought it was cool. Finally at 9:30 we stopped close to Wichita Falls for the night. The twins were having to much fun hiding behind the curtain. I slept with the twins, Reye was on the floor and the girls were in the other bed. We told stories and sang songs for about and hour.

New Insight

Living life on purpose is not always easy. Sometimes we make choices to keep our families happy that work in the short term, but not in the long term. I am in an extremely challenging phase of my life trying to glean the wisdom Christ would have for me. I lived the 1st 30 years of my life seeing everything in terms of how it effected me. I was bold, brash and ready to inform any and all of my discomfort. Christ came into my heart halfway through this yet didn't really change this part of me. It added a sense of legalism and then a wonderful, passionate relationship. I always struggled with using "rules" as my savior rather than my savior. So yet again in my 2nd marriage when I found myself struggling I turned to the "rules" for wives and was able to fall into a life of submission. Problem is apart from continual guidance from the Father my "rules" began to fail me. Now I am in an incredible challenge on how to stay connected with the Father for what is really right for my family. I am so far from knowing what my next step will be. God is honestly taking me on a step at a time. I eagerly await the miracle and transformation this season will bring. The soil of my soul is being toiled up. It is painful to be weeded, but cleansing. I have yet to even know what he will plant. My private blog is teaming with entries. For when relationships are at the heart of ones transformation privacy is needed.