A Birthday to Remember

Arielle is special. All of our children are treasures to us  - yet Arielle was the "baby girl" for her brothers and sisters for nine years, until Stacia became the baby girl....they still vie for the title amongst themselves and I call them both my baby girls. I'm diplomatic that way. ::snort::  Arielle has a special place in the hearts of both her older and younger siblings. We don't quite understand it - but she does. To the older five, she's the baby sister. To the younger three - she's the fun ringleader.

Today, Arielle turned 19!  We have taken great joy in her sweet spirit. Joy shines through her life - we see Jesus in Arielle.  We all miss her in our home terribly, but it's been fun to watch her face incredible challenges this year and soar.  This happened today....

Stacia wants to know how wet Cory got! 

Did we know this was coming? Well, now. Michael and I see ourselves as wise, fun and incredibly relevant. Many of our friends are in their 20's and 30's.....but we have learned when young men start wanting to spend time with us - it's time to check our daughters. ::snort::  When Cory began hanging around, we looked around to see which daughter we were in peril of "losing."

We like Cory. He called and talked to Michael before they began dating. When we are in town, he makes time to just come sit at the trailer with us and chat - without Arielle. He's had several "meaningful" conversations with Michael. We knew this was Cory's intent. Michael only asked him to carefully consider timing - and we didn't tell Arielle Cory had talked to Michael becase that was his story and surprise to share when he saw fit. For the same reason, we didn't tell the other kids, thus some are very surprised.

We knew it was coming - eventually - and I'm not at all surprised it happened on her birthday! 

Cory loves the Lord. He treasures our daughter and treats her with utmost respect. They met at New Hope Christian College. He recently completed a mission trip in Papua, New Guinea - building a church. He and Arielle both finished their freshman year at college.

Arielle is 19. Cory is 23. Yes, we know she is young. We also know we married at the same ages and 32 years later, we don't regret being married young. It's about the foundation of  your relationship and not the age on the birth certificate. It's also about God's timing and and leading in your life. We are so glad Cory did not show up at college before Arielle did.

Yes, it's a bit exhilarating to consider all the changes Arielle faced this past year - and to contemplate her as an engaged young woman - and yet - we know her heart, we know she follows God wholeheartedly and has bathed this relationship in prayer.

We are thrilled for this young couple! 

PS Izaak and BreAnne have a blog name  - BreZaak. Jared and Larissa have a blog name - JaRissa. We are brainstorming for Cory and Arielle and I just don't know......

The Weekend and Travel Thoughts

Our people.....we were  not the only ones spending the night in the Flying J parking lot. We may never pay for a motel or RV park while traveling again. LOL

 I shared on facebook:  "I woke up this morning in the front seat of the van in a Flying J parking lot....opened my Bible ap and read today's verses about being content in all situations (and Numbers about priests taking a razor to all of their body - figured the passage on contentment would be more applicable as Michael wouldn't go for the razor thing). I went inside and found the friendliest morning greetings, had a couple of conversations with fellow parking lot sleepers - even mentioned Jesus in conversation - quite natural when folks want to know WHY we are living on the road - and had a bowl of oatmeal. On the road again. I think my tie dye sweatshirt is an ice breaker."

We made it back to the trailer around lunch time. We enjoyed a 2 hour impromptu catch up with Brenner and Steph (where we'd parked the Caboose). We arrived at Beale Fam camp and realized we REALLY like traveling with the trailer better than the suitcases and the unloading/unpacking thing. It was wonderful to sleep in our own beds.

Sunday we visited our local church - and enjoyed the worship and preaching. Michael had a rough day and spent the rest of the day in bed.

It has been fun to catch up with people still here at the Beale Fam Camp, we didn't realize how fun it would be to catch up with friends made while staying here on another trip.....gotta love the life.

Travel thoughts - this lifestyle is allowing us to meet people we never would have met if we'd not moved into the trailer. This is a good thing.

Sorry - have been socializing and forgot about the photos!

#WYFF - Shopping for a New Home

I would love to explore Tucson in-depth, it looked like a charming city. Maybe we can do this next winter or early spring.  We decided to travel home a new route - via Tucson. Our travel change was fairly sudden and we hadn't taken the time to discover who we knew along the way. We did remember fellow-chaplains from Misawa are assigned to Davis Monthan. We sent a quick email, which they didn't see. We decided to go ahead and drop by the chapel and hopefully catch at least Chris. In a strange quirk, as we pulled up, Chris AND Jen were exiting the chapel. Chris is on leave but had to come in to take care of a bit of paperwork. They were heading off on a 12 hour drive, and we had a long drive ahead of us too. We chatted a few minutes and said goodbye.

Why did Michael have a hankering for driving through Tucson? He has haunted ads, online shopping sites, dealers and forums for at least 20 months. This one had promise and we could see it in person if we stopped by Tucson. Twenty months ago, I thought Michael's hunt was silly. We've been debt free for nearly 20 years. We didn't want to spend our savings on a toy as we moved into retirement. We planned to be on the road a few months and then head to Japan. Plans changed. Doctors began to say I need to learn to drive our rig. I've been working on that, but the trailer is getting increasingly hard to drive for anyone...and more so for someone who has never pulled before. Motorhomes looked better. Michael wanted a Diesel Pusher/Class A. The more we looked, the more we realized this hunt would take a bit of time. Just because we COULD get a loan for zilliions of dollars, doesn't mean we think it's wise to spend so much on something that WILL depreciate.....as retirement approached we could see we would not have one before retirement. This makes financing even more difficult. ::wink::   More doctors are saying I need to learn to drive our rig....we know what we'd like to find having traveled in our trailer for 8 months.....a living area with enough seating for us all to sit in it at one time, a bunk for each kid, STORAGE, a bigger bed for Michael and I and I'd really like a bed that didn't require levitating to make....the small kitchen is a challenge but I can make it work.... Finding Class A DP with 3 BUNKS is a challenge. When we DID find them they had no storage (closet turns into bunks), had only 2 beds, were over 45 feet long, or were out of our price range. There is a nice one by Thor with bunks AND an over the cab bed...but it was just a bit more than we felt right financing.

This motorhome is a 2005 diesel pusher. It has 43K miles on it - not bad for a CAT C7 engine. It is priced considerably below book value. The owner had modified it, and the mod doesn't appeal to many (though he save all the pieces). I have 80 pictures - but why bore you, if we don't buy it?

It has four slides. Yuuki was offended we wouldn't allow her to give her  sniff of approval.  

The opposing front slides make a "spacious" living area. There is a loveseat (2 recliners really) on one side and a 3 seater couch across the way. The driver and passenger chairs swivel so there is seating for 7, as is.  But do you see what is sitting where the dinette should be? I wasn't sure I'd like it at all - but we are brainstorming work arounds.  This would give each child their own NORMAL sized twin bed. BTW it also has a FULL-SIZE QUEEN mattress. We currently have the Queen short they put in most RV's.  There is a third frame and mattress under the bottom bunk.  I'm thinking curtains or something for privacy....The kitchen is the same size I currently have. I'm not loving all the glass and mirrors, but would remove as much as possible. I'd love tile and not carpet - but I can deal. We'll get a portable table for when we can't eat or study outside. Alex and I will have to come up with a new early morning routine.....

Not sure why I have to sit in the seat of each one we try - maybe to give the illusion that I can drive our rig. ::snort:: But, I think I could drive this. 

Photo of the slide

Michael noticed a few items he wants  to adjust the price for or fix. We'd like to have a certified inspector give it a once over, so we know if there are more repairs we'll have to do. We need to check the price of registration and insurance and then see about a loan....which may be  a no go. Our income IS very steady, but the loan we tried to take 8 months ago was turned down as we haven't used credit for over 20 years....not totally true...we charge everything and pay the card off once a month. We were told this would show credit....but they want credit with a set payment that we would be obligated by someone else to pay off monthly.  The few things we bought on "credit" to build credit, we paid off early - also not a help according to our bank.

We are interested in this motorhome. Even if we can't get this one, seeing the layout - bunks without sacrificing the storage space needed for the extra people - gives us more options as we continue to save, shop and wait.

Other than that - we saw lots of road, saguaro and truck stops today. 

Yes, we ARE sleeping at Flying J again. We are looking forward to rejoining our trailer...but this works and is an adventure. We learned a lot from the trip out - and have one less person this time. I pulled out the sleeping bags, used the picnic blankets and window shades to block out light, and rearranged the luggage in the back so Alex can sleep back there....I think it will be better. We feel safer at a truck stop than at a rest area or deserted parking lot.  

#WYFF is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above. 

Heading West Again

Sometime this afternoon, I shared, "One can make good time travelling west...the clock keeps turning back....been driving for 11 hours, but the clock shows 9 hours. The kids don't know it's been forever."  We went ahead and drove another couple of hours....through Texas.....

Through New Mexico 

Past where we expected to stop and on to Tucson, AZ. The day begin with rain in TX at 0600 and ended bright and sunny in AZ 13 hours later...

Each year Michael gives they kids one dollar for the first penny with the new year's date on it. The first to find one gets $5.  Nolan stepped out of the car and found a 2016 penny. He exchanged it with Michael for a dollar coin and 4 extra papers.

We printed and filled out some paperwork for Jamin and then went in search of a scanner. No luck. By this time we needed dinner and Burger Kings are ubiquitous on Air Force bases. The dining room was closed - it suited us better to go through the drive through and enjoy the patio anyway. LOL  In the end we faxed the info.

We completed a quick drive through the fabled DM Fam Camp...not sure we see what all the hoopla is about. Has to be the local area and not the Fam Camp. I'd much prefer Beale or Goodfellow's sites and locations.  Look closely and you can see the sagauro behind Micahel....the family outside our home for the evening.

Bella's a Genius

I know it's common for Grandparents to think more highly of their grand-progeny than others think appropriate....but my word y'all.... look at the text I received. 

"Happy Wednesday Gemma*"

Five weeks old and she's texting - she's a genius! We can't wait to get our hands on her again!

*There you have it my official Grandmother name. I tried on Granna and really liked it, but Bella calls me Gemma....Gemma is the name Joy called me - the first little one to call me Gemma/Grandma. Ah, I get to see Joy this week too.

Transition Day

Every time we get together - there will be a transition a day. A day when we move from having all the Gherkins "home" - or in this case in one location - to being just us five again.  Today is that day.

This was a three trip day to the Airport! 

The girls, Michael and I left the house at 0340.  They are safely home. 

Seen through a glass. 

Stacia, Michael and I came back to the Bunkhouse and grabbed a quick nap. We were back at the Fam camp at 0840 to pick up the boys. We cleared the cabin.  We made our way to the airport for Jamin to pick up a rental car and say his goodbyes.

 

He left for the 5 hour drive back to College Station where he has one more year left on his second graduate degree. He has made it safely home. 

We headed once again to the Bunkhouse. Josiah spent the morning/afternoon with us. He booked us a  replacement cruise - Nov 2016.  2:30 p.m. came far too quickly and it was time to head to the airport for the third time today.

Does he really look like a man who needs his hands swabbed? ::snort:: 

I did fine all day - but as I watched Josiah walk away my eyes leaked.  These kids are  such a blessing.  God has worked in my heart the goal to live fully present - not wishing I had the past back or worrying about the future.  But just for this transition day, I let me heart wander.  I do wish we were one of those blessed families  God calls to live in one location, near each other, forever. However, we've taught the kids to listen to their God-given dreams and to chase them hard as they follow Him. Unfortunately, at this point, that doesn't seem to be in the same direction. I'm seeing a very real benefit to Full-timing in the RV will be the opportunity to SEE THEM ALL.  And so......

JaRissa will head to Alaska the end of this month

Arielle and Krista will continue to enjoy Oregon 

Jamin leaves for Germany in June and Josiah is in Washington 

I was sort of happy BreZaak, Dakota and Bella weren't here today. I don't know that my heart would have been content to say goodbye to Bella on the same day I said goodbye to these five! ::snort:: 

Sensing we needed to drive around a bit, Michael headed to our past home here in town. We loved our years here....even though this WAS the assignment where four of our children flew from the nest.

This home where Stacia came home as a baby, the boys lobbed water balloons from the roof, four of them flew from the nest....It's absolutely good and right for them to grow up, become self-supporting and chase their God-given dreams. 

Our next stop down memory lane was:  

Why? This is where Josiah and Jamin both had their first jobs at Chick Fil A. We've not been in for years, and Josiah wasn't with us.  But two managers remembered us....and one got  a bit melancholic with me when I said we'd just taken Josiah to the airport and decided to come to CFA for solace. Yep - five, small, Oreo Shakes. I think I got extra whipped cream.  Don't judge!  

Today, we are gentle with each other. Today (and maybe tomorrow), we transition from being a chaotic, quirky mass called family, raging through this charming West Texas town....to being "us Five" again. We went from

THIS

To THIS

And still it's good....because each of those older Gherkins are chasing God, each are young men and women who make our hearts sing.....and we are called to remain engaged and RAISE/mentor these three still in our home - tiny and mobile as it is. This is more than enough. We can't allow ourselves to get overly focused on the past and miss the future. "Remember Lot's wife" - a verse that applies so often. LOL

Taking Care of "Loose Ends"

We had quite a few "loose ends" to take care of today.

We began with Arielle, Nolan, Zander (Alex), Stacia and I walking over to Kid's Kingdom. It was like old times when we met up with Deja and her crew for a power play date. We had an hour to catch up and let the kids "play."  We were too busy for me to take photos.

Michael got the paperwork for JaRissa's wedding turned in to the courthouse.

Krista worked on some school work. She is preparing for two weeks of intensive classes on campus in VA.

Michael mailed the girls' rented bridesmaid dresses back to Union Station. I LOVE that Larissa chose a color, told the girls to pick a style from several options and they RENTED them.....Union Station send two sizes for the girls to try out. It was great.

Jamin and Josiah  came over and visited with Krista. When Michael was home, we all met up with Earl, Mary and Jerome at Packsaddle BBQ. Josiah has searched in vain for REAL BRISKET in Seattle. He's been taken to several places and it just isn't the same as TEXAS BRISKET. He'd been hoping to get by Packsaddle since he flew in, but didn't think it was going to happen. It was fun to make it happen for him. It was also great to relax and visit with our Colorado family.  Again - I got distracted by fun and neglected photos.

Our next "stop" was a mini-journey. We traveled an hour or so out to Doole to Larissa's family ranch. JaRissa's minivan was filled with wedding stuff and will stay with Veronica until JaRissa return from their honeymoon cruise.

JaRissa made it to CA and are on their way to Catalina
NO - I did not sneak away with them to snap photos - I stole it from Larissa's
Facebook wall - family can do that! 

ANYWAY - here are a few shots from the family ranch in Doole. Veronica had Jamin take us around on the Polaris.  We enjoyed chatting with Veronica a bit - I hope we helped paint a more realistic picture of Alaska for her. JaRissa will be moving to Alaska, where Jared has landed a job.

Original rock house

By the time we got home from Doole, it was getting late. None of us were hungry and we wanted to do something fun with our last night together. We stopped at the Fam Camp. Nolan and Alex are spending the night with the Jamin and Josiah

It has been a whirlwind trip. It's been busy, chaotic and great fun! We've missed BreZaak but it has been a true blessing to have eight of the nine Gherkins here in San Angelo. I wish we'd had an extra Sunday to visit chapel and our friends at the chapel, I wish we'd had a day to visit friends, and exchange meals......there simply hasn't been time....but we've filled every minute with purposeful family time. It's been great - not the trip we expected, but great. We won't be going on to San Antonio and Del Rio or the Grand Canyon....but it's been great.  Maybe next winter we can come south for a bit....

I'm sad as I know tomorrow will be transition day.....