Trailer Adventures: Dunes Addition.

We have thoroughly been enjoying our little trailer and the many adventures we have taken. I deeply hope that these are the parts of childhood that our kiddos think about fondly. That the memories made stay with them for a life time. I know they will forever be engraved on MY heart.

One of the greatest parts of these adventures is discovering all the hidden treasures that the Midwest has to offer. Some right in our own backyard. By backyard, I mean within an hour or two driving distance. But when compared to the whole wide world...it counts. Our latest spot, The Indiana Sand Dunes. What a treat! White Sand, blue waters, and beautiful glumps of long grass. Who knew you could find that in Indiana, not this gal! The state park is well maintained and clean, with plenty of room between camping sites. This was my favorite spot to date.

There was plenty of hiking and exploring. Which scores major points in this family. We got to pick a different route down the the lake each time. The oldest was handed the map and given the responsibility of navigator...He was in 7 yr old boy heaven. It was really neat how a forest can still plant roots in the sand!

You came off the trails and onto the beach, The white sand and turquoise blue of the water was a wonderful surprise!

We spent a couple of hours each day down on the beach. The wind was chilly and the water ice cold, but we couldn't resist sticking our feet in. We rolled around in the sand, collected rocks, and I got to play with my camera without receiving any complaints. So I took advantage!!

Thankful for a weekend full of time. Time spent laughing, playing, loving, and living with my favorite people in the world. The one I chose to walk this life with and the three that our love created. Blessed.

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel.

I'm a firm believer in being careful about what you throw out into the universe. Once it's out there, greater forces may be at work. Touché, Universe, Touche. 

As soon as I felt the sun start to warm my face, I was picked up, thrown back, and spiked back down into the cold darkness while a voice slowly bellowed "psych!! You aren't there yet. Back into the tunnel, you go." But I guess that's what I get for declaring that my kiddos had gotten easier. That I had learned to tread water, with my head held high, that I could finally breath. 

And the Universe was quick with it too. It didn't want me to forget for one single day that I'm not quite there yet. The evening of the very same day that I posted about how easy life had gotten. How enjoyable my children had become. How I had made it. All hell broke loose.

L wiped out on his scooter, leaving him with a fair amount of road rash and an over abundance of emotion that left my head spinning and me wondering if I should get him into acting. 

C peed her pants, 4 times, in a 3 hour period of time. Seriously, who drinks enough that they have to pee 4 times in 3 hours!?! And why out of those 4 times could you not stop long enough to actually make it to the potty. You had 4 chances!! 

And J...J swallowed a penny. Yup, a penny. But we thought it was a quarter and therefore chaos ensued. 

"It's not lodged in his throat, is it?" "I didn't feel anything in his throat" "you shoved your finger in his throat?" "Does it hurt, J" "I don't think it hurts him." "why is he still crying?" "He's upset it's in his tummy and not his piggy bank" "Do we take him to the ER?" "Where is an ER?" "How do we not know where an ER is!?!" "Now what do we do?" "What were you doing?" "You were watching him, not me!" "Urrgggghhh!" "Take him to the ER." Blank stare. "Use Google!" 

When things calmed down, the hubby and I had apologized to each other (we obviously work great together under pressure), and they were on the way to the ER we learned that the quarter was actually a penny. We also found out that we could take him the Drs office in the morning for a quicker x-ray at a much more affordable price. I then got to fish through poo for 6 days searching for the penny. Yay, me!  

The tunnel lengthened a little that day. The light appeared slightly dimmer. But it's still there, I can see it! And I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other, while I carry the weight of this family of 5. We will make it to that light. Eventually the tunnel will be nothing but a speck on the horizon as I turn to look behind me. And I know I will think of this tunnel fondly.

Empty Sink.

I woke up this morning to an empty sink. And suddenly everything was right in my world.

I know what you are thinking, "How in does an empty sink equate to inner peace!?!" Well, let me explain.

The sink was not empty last night. I had stood over those dishes and decided that sleep was more important...sleep is rarely more important to me than having the dishes done before I head upstairs for the night. Like it almost never happens.

I hate dishes from the night before. I truly despise them. They literally effect my mood. To me, waking up, walking downstairs and immediately being greeted by a sink full of nastiness makes my mood dark. Is this something I need to work on letting go of? Yes, I could probably benefit from that. But let's stick to the point I'm trying to make here.

This morning I had anticipated the nastiness and the mood, but the sink was empty. 

My wonderful hubby had also anticipated the mood and had taken the extra 10 minutes (which he probably didn't really have) to do the dishes for me.

It's the little things.

Every relationship is a sum of the little things. What you put in vs what you take out. We need to remember that. We need to learn to do the little things for others. But equally important is learning to recognize when a little something as been done for you. We can not take these things for granted or allow them to go unappreciated. We need to look for and celebrate in the little things. They are the foundation that relationships are built on. Grand gestures are fun, but feel empty and fall flat if the little things aren't being done on the daily.

So yea, that empty sink made my world complete this morning. I was able to start my day on the right foot. I felt loved and noticed. And I, in turn, was able to send a text of gratitude to help make his morning a little sweeter.

Hubby, I heart you so hard! Thank you for getting me

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A Little Piece of My Heart.

Last week we took a trip down to Houston Texas, where we lived for 7 years. We hadn't been since we moved two years ago and I'd been itching to get back. While we were there, I realized that I had left a little piece of my heart in Texas, leaving a small hole that I'm not sure will ever be filled.

We had this whole life there. We found friends who we turned into family and friends who were my people. We bought our 1st home together. All three of our kiddos were born there and all three were brought home to that house. The Hubby started his journey with Service King and our oldest had best friends.

It was strange to drive down the familiar roads and to see the faces of our friends. So much has changed, and yet, so much was still the same. New buildings had been built and road construction finished, but the road leading to our old home was still covered with the same beautiful trees. The kiddos had grown and matured but the friendships picked up right where they had left off. Two years worth of life had happened while we were away, but we fit back in like no time had passed at all.

It's amazing to be around people who love your kids as much as you do. That kind of love is usually reserved for Grandparents, but we found the exception, and it made my heart explode to see my kiddos love them right back!! P Family, we need more of you in our lives. You just make them better.

We had the most amazing group of families in L's preschool class. And we were extremely fortunate to become the greatest of friends with them. These ladies are good for my soul and I miss them like crazy! They are my tribe! And to be completely honest I miss the clan of little people that we produced as well. They are all just some cool cats!

L and his bestie J. Two peas in a pod.

Our old neighborhood received some of the major flooding that has taken place in Houston in the last couple of weeks. It was completely heart breaking to see the after math. Guts of houses lined the streets. People's processions piled up to be tossed. You could see the water line on the homes.

Here is our old house...do you see the water line around the bottom?

I said a little prayer that day, for our old neighbors, for the new residents of our old home, and for blessing us with a quick sale two years ago and sparing us the heartache of this tragedy.  

I miss Texas. You all will forever hold that little piece of my heart!!