Wow.

I'm not even sure where to start.  I've been gone for so long and I really would like to sort of  catch you all up but I don't really know how to do that.

You will probably see some older posts getting an update as I'm finally settled enough ( I think) to add some pictures to the posts from our trek cross country and add some detail.  It's really hard to believe it's been almost one whole year since we made the crazy, spur of the moment, life altering decision to move East.

Best decision of our lives so far.

Maybe it's our age.  Maybe it's the kids ages.  Maybe it's everything we've been through.  Maybe it's the place.  Who knows. 

We feel grounded here.  The kids seem grounded here. 

We've already done more and had more fun as a family here than we ever did in California.

 Doesn't matter why.  It just feels like home.

I'll be sharing some of the adventures we've had over the last 10 months as I start writing again.  Things are happening so fast and the kids are growing.  I just want a way to track it.  And share it with those we love.

Thanks for being a part of this crazy journey of ours as we figure out family life.

L

Hmmmm....I may be back...soon...:)

Happy New Hampsh-ear!

"People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.  Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten tomorrow.  Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.  Give the world your best anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway"

~Mother Teresa

The Alamo

We had intended to stop at little kitschy places (think Worlds Largest Ball of Twine) along the way but really really wanted to make sure we had entry if time in New Orleans and Savannah, GA so hadn't at all.

But, thanks to my tendency towards crabbiness when my blood sugar is low (shocking, I know), we decided to stop in San Antonio for some lunch. And found The Alamo. :)

And the Riverwalk where we took a picture of the giant Christmas Tree for my dear friend Vicki who grew up in nearby (by Texas standards) Kenedy (we waved).

The Alamo was cool just cuz it's The Alamo. But living in SoCal, with all our Missions, once you've seen a mission you've kinda seen 'em all.

Still worth the stop, though.

The Great (and windy) State of Texas

5:30am came REAL early. Especially for me since my body has NO idea what time zone it's in at this point.

But thankfully, I'm a morning person! I LOVE getting on the road early. Especially with a good breakfast
(see waffle below...I'm doing this from my phone so pictures will be at the bottom I think)

I grabbed my coffee and we left. Now, I've always thought Texas was a perfectly fine state but after driving through the lockdown that was Arizona, I LOVE Texas! And of course its 80 miles an hour daytime speed limit (65 at night).

If you want to make it across Texas FAST? Do it during the day.

And keep your "not-a-morning-person" husband like this:

Lots of cattle and plenty of rolling hills and plenty of dead deer on the side of the road.

How about a Texas Tow Truck?

If you look closely at the picture you can see a rope between the two trucks. Yup. A rope. Driver in the front truck. Driver in the back truck. Lol

Only in the Great State of Texas!

3 States in 13 hours

We are in our fifth state in 2 says. I'd say that's a LOT of driving.

Our plan has always been to haul you-know-what to get across Texas so we could enjoy our time in the South.

I'd say we accomplished that.

We left San Diego early Tuesday morning and headed East.

Arizona was not the easiest drive since, I kid you not, there was one Cop for every two miles across the entire width of the state. And they were not just there for looks!

Deming, NM was where we decided to have dinner and we were not disappointed. John tried fried okra for the first time and we knew by the all you can eat salad bar and HUGE plastic cups that we were not in California anymore.

Plus, at 6pm, the street lights were blinking and most gas stations were closed.

Yup. Not in Kansas anymore.

We made it just a bit over the Texas border to Van Horn and called it a day. Crawled in bed at midnight and set the alarm for 5:30am.

Tomorrow, we conquer Texas!

What Stage are we on now??

After being at Grammy and Papa's for a few days, it's time for me to go back to San Diego and start the cross country drive with my hubby.

I'm looking forward to it for us but a little sad/worried about the munchkins.  They both have colds and I hate to leave them when they do but they are safe with Grammy and Papa and better off here than in a car with us for days.

I do have to say, I am really excited about being on a plane ALL BY MYSELF for several hours.  Aaaahhhh.  Peace and quiet and nobody to worry about but me.  Ear plugs and a book here I come!