An update, part 1

So. I’m here, typing at last. I think the last time I posted anything was a few days before we left, and I wrote my “to do” list down. I think that was, what?, two weeks ago?…Either way, much has happened since then, much has been said, much has been thought of and I’d like to write it all down for you and myself. If I don’t, I know I’ll forget. But, with the amount of information that is just brimming over in my brain, this is going to be divided into parts. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend way too much of your time reading my ramblings. And I’m sure you have more things to do with your time…I know I do. :0)

…..I got everything done on my list that needed to be done before we left. I’m not sure how that was accomplished, but it was. I’ll tell you what, making lists really help! I usually start a good week or more before we leave, so that I can think of anything I might have missed before the doors close and we leave our drive way. My husband likes to poke fun at me for them, but he doesn’t really mean it, for he likes me to remember his stuff. We took a trip this last winter and I didn’t make a list. We ended up going 5 hours south with no clothes AT ALL for Damaris, I forgot half of my clothes, and the much needed diapers. Yeah, it wasn’t good.

So we leave Thursday morning before 7 am and by 8:30 pm that night, I’m sick. Not car sick, but flu like sick. Aggh!, it was awful! Thursday night my stomach hurt so bad! Every time it would begin to cramp up, I would tell myself, “I went through labor, I can get through this.” Yes, it was that bad. It’s tough being sick at home, but when you’re traveling? It’s absolutely horrible! I had warmed up leftovers from the night before (we had cooked for a banquette) in the crock pot (we have an inverter in the car) for supper. Since the pains/sickness begun soon after I had eaten, I thought maybe I had gotten a bit of food poisoning. Going through all this gluten-free, no soy, no processed sugar and other dietary changes, my system is more sensitive to these kinds-of things. By Friday afternoon, I was able to stand longer than a few minutes and by Saturday, the day of the wedding, I was just fine. When the girls became sick on Monday and Adam on Tuesday, it was then understood that it was a “bug” we were passing around. Thankfully, it seems to do done now.

An excellent time by all was had in New York. We stayed with one of Adam’s Uncle/Aunt’s house and it was really nice. On Sunday, May 23, most everyone got together at the Grandparents house for the afternoon/evening. It was good to see family folks again. There are 2 new little ones joining our family this year and it’s nice to not be the one who is pregnant (as far as I know)! Actually, this is the 1st time since March/April of 1999 (before we were married) that we have gone there and I wasn’t pregnant. It was kind-of nice.

We got back home Thursday, May 27, in the evening and it was quite nice to sleep in our own beds! And with fans on!! Wednesday night, May 26, we slept in the van at a rest stop somewhere in Ohio. And oh my word! was it hot!! We had to keep the windows down just to get some air, but that also let in the mosquitoes. Both Maacah and I, who seem to be their favorite, got chewed up pretty sorely. At any rate, we got through it and we had the weekend to settle back in to our routine. Adam didn’t need to be back at work until Monday, so we had a good 3 day weekend with him still.

We went to the lake for the first swim of the season and while it was still cold, it was very sweet to play with the children. Adam doesn’t much care for the water, but even he donned his swimming trunks and went for a dip with everyone. All of the children, except Malachi, are “water babies” through and through, so you can imagine how thrilled they were! (Yes, our girls have “swim suits”, but certainly not like you’d find in a store. I made their swim suites from a dress and bloomer pattern I have. This is where I got my idea from. They are not exactly the same, of course, since I didn’t buy their pattern. And their leggings are not as tight as shown in the pictures, but you get the idea of what they look like. And me? I bought my swim suite from here about 5 years ago. It works real nice. I can even wear it when I’m 9+ months pregnant. The only thing I don’t like about it is that when you are wet, it is not so easy to take it off to go the the bathroom. The garment is connected in the front by a zipper and when all is wet (and sometimes dry too), lets just say it is not easy to remain graceful trying to get that thing off! And our boys have long swim trunks that they wear with a shirt. Their swim trunks are the only shorts they can wear/own, so they like them (so Isaac says, anyway). )

School started up again after a 2 week break on Monday. Today and yesterday, everyone’s school was done before 1 pm, and we don’t get up at a regular time either. Both days have been extremely pleasant and calm. That is one of the results of the changes God has made in our home/family/individuals, and I certainly want to talk about that. It is something that has been prayed for earnestly and God has answered! (as if there was any doubt!)

But that is for another part…..