Summer Vacation

Robert's summer schedule is very busy with VBS, summer camp, a mission trip in town, and a mission trip in Nebraska, so it's really difficult to travel in the summer.  We went to Alabama last summer, but we hadn't been back since Sarah was born, so we were due for a trip and turned it into our vacation for the summer.  Robert got wild and didn't even respond to emails while we were gone!

We left on Thursday morning with a destination of Birmingham, AL for the evening.  We knew we would need to stop for about 30 minutes every 2 hours to let Sarah stretch and play, so we left at 8:00, and got to Birmingham at 6:00.  Our first stop was in Hardy, AR, and it was definitely the nicest.  We were able to find a grassy area with a shade tree between a post office and McDonald's.  Sarah enjoyed playing on a blanket.  The next stop was in West Memphis and was not enjoyable, but we just had to stop for gas and to change Sarah's diaper.  I think our third stop for the day was in MS.  For this whole trip Robert was the driver and I was the entertainer.  I think I sat in the front seat on two legs of the trip and was in the back for the rest of it.  We brought lots of toys and books, and Sarah usually took a 30 minute nap every 2 hour leg.

We stayed with Robert's cousin Ethan and his wife, Rachael, on Thursday night.  We hadn't seen them in about two and a half years, and it was great to catch up!  Rachael made a great dinner.  Sarah was a little needy when trying to fall asleep.  We ended up getting her back up so she could join the party.  She approved!  She really did well considering she'd been in a car seat all day and was having to sleep in a pack and play.

On Friday morning we drove 4 1/2 hours to Pensacola, FL to meet up with Ray and Terri who had been on vacation all week.  We only had to stop one time on the way there.  We unpacked (I think we packed and unpacked 4 times on this trip!  Not fun) and headed out for ice cream.  I actually got key lime pie dipped in chocolate, and it was delicious!  We walked out to the beach, and Sarah got her first glimpse of the ocean.  She was relatively scared.  She liked looking at the ocean and hearing the waves (sounded just like her sound machine!), but the water was cold and scary to her.  Robert and I had a date that night while Ray and Terri tucked in Sarah and stayed with her.  We played putt putt, strolled around Target, and got dessert at Chick-Fil-A.

On Saturday we ate breakfast at The Donut Hole with Ray's cousin and his wife and son.  It was delicious!  Chocolate doughnut filled with peanut butter fluff!  After breakfast we headed to the beach.  We were going to a part that's a state park.  We parked and were ready to catch the tram, but soon realized that we had missed it by 1 minute and had to wait another 59 minutes.  NOOOOOO!!!  Thankfully, Sarah took a nap so she was a happy camper.  The beach was beautiful!  It was overcast, which was fine with Robert and me because it helped it not be so hot.  Again, Sarah was uninterested in the ocean but enjoyed playing on a sheet under a big umbrella.  I found this idea on Pinterest and it worked well - bring a fitted sheet and put something in each of the four corners (bag, cooler, etc.) and it creates a large sand-free area that's sort of like a makeshift pack and play.  On Saturday evening we went out on a sunset cruise.  Sarah's first time on a boat!  I think she liked it.

On Sunday we made the two and a half hour drive from FL to Mobile, AL and had a big party for people to meet Sarah.  She did so great!  I seriously think she got passed around to at least 40 people she had never met before.  She left for a bit to eat and take a nap and returned happy as a clam.  She was a bit reserved that evening and wanted to be snuggled by Robert and me which was understandable.  I'm so glad so many people came to meet Sarah and it was good to catch up.

Tuckered out from being the center of attention

So many girl cousins!

Four generations

On Monday we drove to Daphne to see another one of Sarah's great great aunts.  We also took a little stroll along the bay, and Sarah thought the water was scary yet again.  We were able to have lunch with Robert's cousin Marla, and it was great to talk to her about being a mom to girls!  We went to Dauphin Island that evening and got some great dessert again - peanut butter pie.  Yum!

We hit the road on Tuesday morning and made the long drive back to Springfield.  We had toyed with the idea of spending the night somewhere, but we decided it would be nice to just get home, and Sarah was still doing well.  We didn't unpack at all that night, and thankfully Robert had taken Wednesday off as well so we could recover.  I did laundry, unpacked, and decided to stain the deck.  That's what you do on vacation, right?

I should note that Sarah also got two more teeth on this trip.  I think especially considering that, she did so well on this trip.  She met lots of new people, spent a ton of time in the car, and slept in new places.  It was a good trip, but we're glad we don't have any super long road trips planned in the near future.

Summer Happenings

Memorial Day was so nice.  It was my perfect kind of day - a day full of ticking things off my list.  We had gotten back to town late the night before so it was nice to have a day to recover and catch up from being gone the week before - unpacking, sorting mail, laundry.  I can tell you that in my short time as a "homemaker" I have learned that it is always worth it to clean your house before you leave for a bit trip.  It's so nice to come home to a house with your bed made, no dirty dishes, no stinky trash, and no clutter to be found.  Definitely worth it.  I also like to unplug everything in our apartment before leaving for a trip.  I don't know exactly how much money this saves us, but I know it sure doesn't hurt.  We also turn the AC up to 80 or the heat down to 65.  Having lower electric and water bills is just an added benefit of traveling.

Anyway, with our extra day off we returned an item at Pet Smart, sold a table and lamps, made a deposit at the bank, and did some spring cleaning.  It was so wonderful that Robert had the day off as well!  We ended the day with a barbecue with our dear friends Forrest and Anna.  We brought the potato salad and homemade ice cream.  They furnished the veggies and meat.  And let me tell you, they went all out with the meat: pork chops, burgers, hot dogs, ham, and spam.  Wowie wow wow!

I don't know about you, but starting the work week on a Tuesday pretty much makes the whole week feel out of sorts.  You would think it would make it faster having a four day work week, but I just spend the whole week confused on what day it is and feeling behind.

We wrapped up the week with a weekend trip to the Outer Banks to meet up with Robert's mom and her husband.  The weather was a little cool, but it was actually nicer than originally predicted.  We got to hang at the beach, swim at the pool, hike up a sand dune, eat lots of tasty food, and enjoy cable tv (which we don't have at home).

This week is pretty nuts.  Robert is in an intensive summer school class which means he is in the same class Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 for one week, but then it's over and he has three more credit hours under his belt.  He's taking Biblical Manhood and Womanhood - a class which he wasn't interested in, I suggested he take, and he is now enjoying.  Score!  After this class he will have four days to recover before he goes to the Southern Baptist Convention's annual conference.  That's another summer school class.  He'll be gone for three days and will get another three credit hours.  He's really looking forward to this one.  It should be a great experience with lots of time for networking for his future career.  Another benefit?  It's FREE with not tuition cost.  After mid June he will be finished with classes for the summer, and he'll be finished with his assignments by the end of June which will leave all of July and most of August for him to enjoy just working and not having to study so he can get ready for his FINAL semester.  It's going to be so strange when he's finished with school.  We've never known each other outside of school.  I'm excited to see what it will be like.  I know everybody talks about how being in school is sooooo much easier than being a full-time employee, but with two years of full-time experience (I know it still isn't a ton) I can say that I love the fact that I leave work at 5:00 and am free as a bird until 8:00.

Also, I've been inspired by Ann VosKamp's 1000 gifts and wanted to respond to her Joy Dare for June 3.  Today's dare is is to find 3 gifts from today's conversations:

1. Talking with Robert on our nightly walk - Robert and I have found that we both chat more and listen better while we're walking.  I highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they're in a slump in their conversations with their spouse.
2. A surprise call from my Dad after I got home from work - Isn't it great to have parents who think about you throughout the day?
3. Hearing about a job interview that my friend's husband has - It's awesome to hear how God is providing for His people who are seeking His heart.  It also gives me hope and inspires me as we start to think about our future after Robert graduates.

What gifts of conversation did you hear today?

Also, an update on Mittens: She loves my parents, and they love her.  We couldn't have better caregivers for her.  I think they like her almost as much as Robert and I do.  They have been great to give us daily updates and pictures of her.  Her second birthday was on Sunday, and they made sure to treat her like the princess that she is.

Birthday party complete with a banner, kitty cat Pate, and "It's Your Special Day" plate