New School Year

This school year is suddenly upon us. Most of the summer was just as busy as our last school semester, having only calmed down some the last few weeks, so I wasn’t ready for the reality of school quite yet.

As I sit here, planning out our daily, weekly, and vacation/holiday schedule, I’m overcome with how much change is happening in our family.

First, I made the choice a few weeks ago to make the change to Inspire charter schools, although it’s a 2/3 change, so far. Emily, a Jr Higher this year, and Owen, 4th grade, are enrolled at Inspire already, while Ian, 6th grade, is still at VOCS. We made this choice, so that the kids and I can travel down to visit Dave more frequently, and potentially use vendors (extracurricular activities) close to the apartment.

We decided to keep Ian at VOCS, as we’ve already paid for his Camp K.E.E.P. trip in October. To the credit of my husband, he said to call it a wash and switch all 3 to Inspire, so I don’t have to feel stressed keeping up with 2 school schedules, etc., but since we’re needing to be in Bakersfield through the end of October for Owen’s tutoring sessions it works out. (I can’t quite write off that much money…lol)

The changes in our life and living situation, and the opportunities available to the kids are vast with Inspire, and we’re looking forward to this new adventure!

Thanks for continuing to keep up with us while we’re Learning How To Fly! ♡

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Texas, Day 2

Day 20 trip

Day 2 Texas, landing in Bandera

Oh man, it was an early morning, after a late night of staying up talking to my friend since 3rd grade, then trying to get my post done…haha

Today we had an issue we had when we left Destin, but I’ve never experienced before. We couldn’t get the windshield to defog. Not defrost, defog. It hasn’t been cold, but we couldn’t get the fogging on the OUTSIDE of the windshield to stop or go away. Using the wipers, for about 10-15 minutes after we were on the road was the only way to see, and even then, it really went away on its own. It has been a trip with many weird things happening!

PS – the above pic is just fog outside, not the crazy thing we experienced. 😉

The drive today was one of our shortest, and yet felt much like our longest, to me. I guess tired does that. 😴

We finally arrived at The Alamo, where it was so very crowded that it wasn’t as enjoyable as we’d hoped. It wasn’t a bad time, just a weekend where everyone and their mother (on Mother’s day haha) came to be.

O, checking out a fort scene:

The crowd at the Alamo made for a later arrival at my friend, Colleen’s. The kids love it here just as much as last time. The area is just full of places for 2 boys to put their imagination to good use!

I’ve promised myself, and my friends on this ending leg of the journey, that if I ever get to take this trip again, I’m reversing it to come this way first, so I’m not worn out and ready to go home. They’ve been good sports and tell me they understand, but I hate to sleep and run!

Owen found and cut us a thistle:

And Emily wanted to do a little hair boutique:

The boys ran and played and got some energy out:

I want to stay, and visit, and relax for a few days, but I’m extremely ready to be home, and several of the kids have voiced their support for being home now. Auntie M said she’s willing to do whatever the plan is, but I know she’s missing her hunny, too.

I remember being just as torn last time…

As they say, all good things must come to an end, and the end draws nigh for us and this trip. One more stop, before we’re home sweet home!!

Tomorrow, we drive. Not exciting, but necessary… until then!

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Texas

Day 19 trip

Day 1 trying to get across Texas…

This morning had a tiny bit of leisure to it.

We had breakfast at the hotel, and then decided we wanted to go to the Insta-gator Ranch, up where my brother-in-law and family used to live. The kids and I had been there before, but it was Auntie M’s first time!

GPS wanted to take us back East on I10 and then over, but I decided Auntie M needed the experience of going across Ponchartrain causeway. We looked it up, and it is the longest bridge over water in the world.

We drove by Uncle Mike and Aunt Rachel’s place, just to see, and then got to the Gator Ranch just in time for our tour.

We met Bob, whom I do not remember from the last time we went…lol, that was born without a tail and would not survive in the wild.

And Bad Karma, who is a Nile crocodile.

Not an albino alligator:

Learning about, and holding:

Holding babies:

After the gator tour, we drove for about 6+ hours to get to Sarah’s, so we could have dinner and stay up late!

Tomorrow, we’ll be up early, and off to remember The Alamo! Then to my friend Colleen’s house for the remainder of Mother’s day.

If you have impacted a child’s life for the better, than you have helped in mothering the future: May your Mother’s day be blessed beyond measure!

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Landed in Louisiana

Day 18

Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana

Today was a busy, fun, and interesting day! We started by finishing loading the car with all the odds and ends left in the condo. We did get on the road later than I planned, but we weren’t too late getting there. We left a different way than we came to Destin, but still had a long bridge to go over. Not my favorite! 😳

Only an hour and a half later, and we made it to Chipley for a visit with my grandmother!

I only snapped one picture at breakfast, but these pancakes were HUGE!

After our breakfast at Skins & Bubba’s BBQ, where Ava bought us all establishment shirts, we drove to Ava’s house. We gave Ava, and my 2 Aunt’s mother’s day cards, Dewar’s candy from Bakersfield, and the carved Ark with Ava’s name on it, that Ian found at the Ark Encounter. There was far too many trinkets from them, but I will mention that Ian and Aunt Jan both love frogs, and Aunt Jan gave Ian a metal frog figure. We also got to love on the pups, Casey, Selina, and Shiner. ♡

Casey:

Ava isn’t fond of her picture being taken, but she was kind to us, and let us take several.

Grandmother Ava took us around the 5 acres of land:

I’m sad Ian missed being in this shot, as he’d gone inside:

I remember fishing in this pond as a teenager:

We found more wildlife:

We walked over to Aunt Jerri’s house for more visiting:

Aunt Jerri is the family historian, and keeper of all things of importance. She has this marriage certificate from 1910, that was my Great-grandparents, or maybe my great-greats??

This picture of Grandmother Ava, from when she was around 6 months old:

Several things that were my Great-grandmother Winfrey’s:

Time with Aunt Jan:

Selina:

Aunt Jerri’s back was bothering her, so we missed out on picture of all of us together, but we got some pretty amazing photos anyway!

How cool is this rest stop before Pensacola, where the Blue Angel’s live????

Just more water:

These are the support beams for the freeway system:

We left Florida for Alabama:

Bridges over (not troubled) water – everywhere!!!

Tunnel in Mobile:

We stopped in to see more family, on Dave’s mom’s side of the tree this time:

They own a Shave ice place, and gifted us with some amazing yumminess!

Minor accident. Clean up, aisle 12:

Family ties:

We eventually had to get back on the road, and GPS informed us of a shortcut, to miss the backup from some sort of accident.

Which helped us find the scenic sign:

More bridges, more water… I had originally planned to stop in Biloxi, but we began to run behind schedule, so we just passed through.

Sun has set:

With that sunset, went our chances of a good photo of the state line. The beauty is, all these amazing states have the possibility of a good picture at the soon to follow rest stops!

Just a lovely shot:

We finally arrived and got checked in to our room. The kids were out before we finished talking about potential plans for tomorrow.

I have dozed off a dozen times while typing, so I hope this has been coherent!

I have no real idea what tomorrow holds, except for landing at Sarah and Vince’s house as a stop over tomorrow night!

Until then, good night y’all!

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Florida, Day 3

Day 17 trip

Day 3 Destin

It was mildly difficult for me to get up this morning. The amount and type of tired shifts, depending on what happened the previous day. Last night was a toss and turn night, and after being in the fun and sun all day yesterday – whew! Thankfully, the kids went to bed earlier than they have almost the entire trip, so they were able to wake up on their own. (Which is always better!)

We made our way down to our last day at the beach around 9am. It was empty and gorgeous!

Emily found these little holes in the sand, that she said were crab holes, and was able to scoop out the mound part as a whole.

Play time. Just enjoying being in this magnificent place:

Sea creatures galore:

We had an emotional fallout from the middle kid, after not listening to me. Time to rest:

Siblings:

It was windy today, which meant choppier water 😆

Fun shots:

The girl:

Boy 1:

Boy 2:

The Auntie:

I went to gather snacks, and when I came back, I noticed the water had become darker over the day:

And then, this one had another major emotional fallout. Tired + sunburn + reapplying sunscreen = tears

So, there was another quiet time, before E&I and myself came back to the condo.

Auntie M and O stayed about another hour or so to soak up the last bit of fun to be had!

Sunburns happened, even with remembering to reapply screen every couple of hours. Thankfully, the boys had sunshirts on. Us girls each got a few burn spots where the screen missed being applied, or reapplied, and we’re feeling it now that it’s bedtime…

After showers and laundry and repacking luggage and reloading the burb and prepping food for an early departure, we are battening down the hatches for the night.

Tomorrow, we’re off to Chipley, where my dad’s mom and 2 sisters live. The kids are very excited to meet their only surviving Great-Grandparent! (They met her when they were very little, but don’t remember.)

Just about a week until we’re home!

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Florida, Day 2

Day 16 trip

Day 2 Destin

Sleeping feels so fleeting. Haha We were up earlier than most of us wanted to be this morning, which keeps us on a constant pattern of tired. What else can you do, when there’s so many things to see and experience?

We finally got everything together and walked to the beach to meet up with Sarah, Vince, and fam. It was just as gorgeous, and awe inspiring as last night!

The above pictures, where you see these gorgeous, empty, stress free beaches, is why homeschooling is so nice….😂

Haven’t seen this chick for about 2 years. Known her for 30+ years. We’re not really old enough for that kind of talk, but I sure do love her!

There was sea creature science today, including a jelly, that I took video of:

Hours of play time:

Time together:

When it was lunch time, we herded little people to the condos for lunch, and then a couple of hours at the pool.

Suddenly, it was dinner time! After dinner, we walked over to watch Because of Winn Dixie, with Sarah’s family, where Ian bugged me continually to play Monopoly. He doesn’t know we’d still be there playing into next week if we’re started a game tonight…

Vince offered us a ride home, but I assured him we could make it the 2 blocks back. These d.a.n.g. considerate southerners. 😆

Currently, we have the same basic plan for tomorrow, so off to bed I go!

Thanks for continuing to tune in!

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Florida

Day 15 trip

Day 1 Destin

We got up relatively early, ate quickly, and then started our long trek to Florida. Driving through Savannah, the mossy trees were such a different sight from trees at home.

And here’s something that tells you you’re not in California:

Our first potty stop had me kicking the boys out of the burb. They bought toy cars with their money in Tybee, and needed a little time to play.

Like so many states that get their border shapes from water, the Florida Georgia line (<—which I’ve been saying for 2 days lol) happens to be over a bridge, so no stopping for a picture. They do have a sign that says there is a photo op at the visitors center, so we got our group selfie still!

Crow’s following Raven’s 🤣 it’s the little things that are entertaining when you’re on the road this long.

The scenery has remained lovely and green, although you can tell it’s a different type of green. There’s swamps and marshlands, which makes it feel denser, an older feeling.

When we made the turn to come from I10 down to the coast, there was a long bridge over (not troubled) water, which made Ian and Misty nervous.

We found the stop lights to be interesting:

The Airbnb condo is amazing:

We planned our meals on the drive down (plenty of time, in an 8+ hour drive), so we made a stop at the Winn Dixie for groceries:

Then, while Auntie M made lasagna (GF, of course) for dinner, I took the crazies to the beach. Owen was shocked by the color of the sand! Welcome to the Gulf of Mexico, my friends!

We were there for roughly 20 minutes, and the kids were ready to go back to the condo. It was colder water than I remember from my early teen years, but not nearly as cold as the Pacific or Atlantic.

Tomorrow, we meet with my best friend since 3rd grade, Sarah, and her family, where my kids will get to enjoy time with her kids! Just to prepare you all, her oldest is Owen’s age, but Emily’s height! 😆

She has already informed us that they go to the beach in the morning, and hide inside during the high heat of the day. I do prefer to learn from others experiences, especially when it comes to heat! 😎

Until then…

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Georgia, Day 2

Day 14 trip

Day 2 Tybee Island, Georgia

Oh man, we slept in late today! I had to wake Emily and Ian up around 9:30ish to make sure we had breakfast before it was done at 10. To be fair, our bodies are pretty sure it was either 8:30, or 7:30…

After breakfast, I went to get something out of the car, and realized we left the cooler plugged in again. Doh! We brought the charger with us, so it’s a no stress situation. C’set la vie! We’re walking everywhere while we’re here, anyway.

We walked over to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, and it is the cutest, tiniest science center I’ve ever been to!

They have a jelly tank:

I believe these were larger sized spider crabs:

I did not see a sign saying what these fish are, but they have “legs” they used to walk along the bottom of the tank:

There was a tiny touch tank:

Magnifiers, where you could look at different sands of the world:

I was a little worried about touching this one 😳:

Shell identifiers, and beachcombing info:

Matthew, the sea turtle:

Some crazy sea creature called a horseshoe crab:

Atlantic Ray:

Baby gators:

Diamondback Terrapin turtles:

After the science center, we passed a gift shop called Funky Fish Outdoors, which had a lot of everything! (Owen did not get any of the hand puppet things lol)

Then, it was time for lunch:

Where Auntie M and Emily tried battered gator:

The kids have been itchin’ to go swimming in a pool. Since the ones in Flagstaff and Albuquerque were closed, how can I possibly say no, when we’re in such perfect sunny weather today?

This lady was telling the kids a funny story of her back flop into a pool, so they were laughing really hard:

Sliding down the hand pole:

Even Auntie M finally got in and enjoyed a few laps across the pool:

While the others were swimming, I came to do some organizing in the room and car (and charge the car battery lol). After a bit, Auntie M brought me a very disgruntled Owen. He definitely needed some… individual guidance. When, we had our discussion and he had calmed himself some, he and I walked over to the beach to gather sand to take home. Single child attention and time was helpful to him, I think.

The beach here has wooden swings every dozen yards or so, which makes me want to write to whomever is in charge of the beaches back home, and request some be put in!

Owen gathered sand for me:

The time alone with Owen was something he needed. No competition. No one bossing him. He did get a little lonely, and asked when the others were coming to meet us.

They finally came to meet us at the beach, where we took a few fun shots:

Before we left, this guy rode by on a one wheeled, almost skateboard, weird type of scooter thing. It was super cool:

We walked back to the motel, where everyone got de-sanded, and packed up.

Tomorrow is an early rise day, where we officially start our trek home. There are a number of stops along the way, but this is the beginning of the end!

Next stop – Florida! (And getting an hour back! 😋)

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North Carolina/Georgia

Day 13 trip

Day 1 Georgia

Emily went with me to breakfast, as Auntie M, Ian, and Owen were out for the count.

Breakfast was a fun time of meeting my long time friend, Sal, and his daughter, Bella. We laughed, we cried 😂, there may have been snorting…

Some years ago, Sal recommended I read The Dark Tower series, and I’ve since read it through 2x. For my birthday, he got me 2 books that go along with it:

Emily and Bella making silly faces:

After breakfast, we headed out to the Billy Graham Library. When we were about 1 mile away, it hit me that it is Sunday, and like so many Christian organizations and librariesin general, the library was likely to be closed. 🙄

To be fair, when I originally did my planning, we were going to be passing through on Monday. We tried!

The South Carolina state line snuck up on me, but we stopped at the visitor center and got some fun shots.

Finding our house on the digital map at the visitor center:

And our school:

Acting like Joe Cool:

Blue skies, green trees, so much water:

We crossed the Georgia line, and a huge bridge, then hit a tiny bit of traffic with a draw bridge letting a sail boat pass through (PS – the spot on the first picture to the left of the state sign, is where a rock hit my windshield in Arkansas):

Did I mention the water?

Here’s a fun thing I’ve never seen before:

First view of the Atlantic, and the smallest lighthouse I’ve ever seen:

Wow:

Dinner at Sting Ray’s:

My little helper, at it again ♡

Walking to the beach after dinner:

I’m sorry…dangerous what??

*We saw no flags*

Beach time:

It was kind of like a Twilight Zone moment, to have the sun setting behind us, instead of into the water. It’s a little hard to explain how that seems so…off…having been raised on the west coast!

Panoramic:

My wonky panorama of the beach in one direction, and the sun in the other direction:

We had a minor casualty:

Tomorrow, we’ll check into a science museum I saw on the map just a couple of blocks away, probably have some pool time, and of course, more time at the beach. I will gather my Atlantic coast sand, and we will relax, before we begin our official return portion of the trip!

Island life, y’all!

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Tennessee/North Carolina

Day 12 trip

We originally planned to stay tonight in Gallatin, but given our tired factor, we decided driving and getting here a little late was better than getting up at 3am to start a long day.

Reorganizing and packing had to be handled again, and in the rain that’s a little tougher. Thankfully, Bruce let us use the garage to keep dry. 😉

Shani kept referring to Bruce as the biggest kid in the house lol, and in the spirit of that, here’s a joke he taught us:

What did Tennessee?

The same thing Arkansas.

Say it out loud….lol That’s just funny, I don’t care who ya are!

We just can’t get over how green, and lush everything is. And how there’s water everywhere. Gorgeous!

My tiny helper. ♡ We stopped for fuel (and potty time), and this boy “washed” the windows. He got annoyed when Auntie M redid it, because he already had, but we told him that she had to do it again because he couldn’t reach the top. We didn’t tell him it’s because he got it soapy and then most of the soap was still there when he finished.

We saw signs that we were passing through the Smokey Mountains. As usual, the pictures do exactly zero justice to the scenery we found ourselves in.

At one point, it began raining so hard, it was difficult to see, and lightning flashed in front of us, with an immediate thunder crash. Massively impressive!

After we crossed the state line, we went through 2 tunnels, that were each roughly a half mile to a mile long.

So, here we are in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where we’ll get up and have breakfast with a friend I haven’t ever met before. Sounds weird, right?

Well, just over 5 years ago, I started playing a Hobbit game, and a few months later, I realized it was an online game (I’m slow in the technology dept). In that game, I “met” a bunch of people. Over time, a few of us found each other on FB, and have kept in touch, even though I quit that game several years ago. I know someone in Australia, in Europe, and a couple here in the US because of it. Long story short (ish), when I realized I was passing through an area where one of these friends lived, I asked if he was able to meet us for breakfast as we passed through, and he is (and we’ll meet his family)!

After breakfast, we’ll land in Charlotte, and visit Billy Graham’s library – which was the plan before he passed away – and then head down to Georgia (which will take us through South Carolina!)

Thanks for flying with us – I can’t believe we’re almost 2 weeks into this trip!

Until tomorrow 😀

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