Thursday, March 17, 2011

RVing IT! First BIG TRIP!

The Captain started out our first big journey with a prayer with all of us holding hands, praying that we would have a safe journey..LOVE HIM!

I packed the RV while he was away at work and we literally left about 3 hours after he got home after being gone a week. I KNOW he was exhausted.

We got about a mile down the road and WyWy had to potty.
Next thing we know, he's yelling
"THERE'S WATER EVERYWHERE!!!!"

I run back to the bathroom to find out HE WAS RIGHT!
There was a "flowing leak" coming out of the line running into the toilet.
The Captain navigated BACKWARDS the ENTIRE MILE to our house,
ran in, got some tools and temporarily stopped the leak.

9 PEOPLE AND A BROKEN TOILEY-NOT EXACTLY IDEAL RIGHT?

We were on our way AGAIN!
Baby Bakers was cranky so I was laying back in the bedroom when ???? The RV stopped again????
We were AGAIN back in our driveway...
The Captain forgot to shut the garage door-POOR GUY!

Needless to say, we arrived at my parents about 11pm and all kids were asleep!

DAY 1-Tuesday

The next morning The Captain had his flight physical in Kansas City.
An intense "physical" he must endure every 6 months to "keep on flying".

We enjoyed breakfast in the RV and lots of love and conversations from Grandma and Papa! AND THANKFUL we could use their toilet!!

The big kids did their school work in the driveway (LOVE IT)!

While the little ones enjoyed some LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE!

We even baked cookies ready for The Captain when he got back!

When he returned, we found a place to fix the RV, we left my parents & headed out & GUESS WHAT? they did NOT have the part needed to fix it!!
SO...They rigged the toilet so we could use it until the next day when the part came in.

We headed on to The Captains sisters house in Missouri where she graciously had KC BBQ waiting for us!
The kids and I had studied about Missouri and this is one thing KC is famous for so I thought it was an awesome idea to give the kids some LEGIT BBQ!

YUMMY!!!
We ate our BBQ, played with Aunt B's dogs and settled in the RV for the night.

DAY 2-Wednesday

We said goodbye to Aunt B as she went off to work.
We showered the kids in the RV while waiting for word on the part to come in for the potty. Finally got the call and got it fixed in about 15 minutes and we were OFF AGAIN!!

NEXT STOP, SAINT LOUIE!!!
We made it to my friend Jen's house BEHIND SCHEDULE because of the potty problem. Twas QUITE fun getting the BIG RIG in her driveway. I think The Captain literally had 6 inches on the left side to spare.

We were ALL so happy to reunite! We hadn't seen each other since August!
Jen had a FABULOUS dinner prepared for us!

All 14 kids ran around and played until LATE!

DAY 3-Thursday

Jen made chocolate chip pancakes for the whole crew the next morning.
We enjoyed coffee talk and hanging out until late morning.
Then it was time to say good bye!
Jen and I had to STOP TRAFFIC (in our jammies) on her busy road to get the BIG RIG out of her driveway-FUN MEMORIES were made this trip!

It was God & our embryo adoptions that brought us together & our families will remain life long friends!
It will be so good for these 3 to have each other to talk to about their unique birth stories as they grow up.
3 sweet girls, once frozen in time, now living, breathing angels!!

The kids thought it was AWESOME to see the Arch!

We eventually got dressed ate lunch and were on our way to my sisters in INDY! I even took a SHOWER GOING DOWN I-70! Have I mentioned that this RV makes things SO CONVENIENT???

My birth sister who I have grown to LOVE SO MUCH after knowing her 15 years. It seems like a LIFETIME. We were SO EXCITED for our kids to FINALLY meet each other!

She had a WONDERFUL dinner prepared for the whole tribe!
I LOVE seeing all our kids together!

Days 4-6 Friday-Sunday

Friday morning we went out for a spin in the RV :)
Her kids really enjoyed it. She showed us around her town and then we ended up at a BOUNCE HOUSE!

The kids bounced for a couple hours and had a blast!

We got back to her house and my other sister and sister-in-law arrived from Chicago with their kiddos and my soon to be Brother in law.

Here is The Capatain with my soon to be BIL who let me just say, CAN COOK FOR ME ANYTIME!

The dinner was TO.DIE.FOR.

Me, My 2 birth sisters and my SIL with my neice! 

I feel BEYOND BLESSED to have my sisters in my life.
I love them so much.
I am so thankful that my birth mom always told them the truth about me.
So that one day we would be reunited!
Thank you Lord for these relationships I never knew I would have. 
Sisters...so surreal..so wonderful.

13 of my birthmothers 15 grandkids!
FINALLY TOGETHER!
We had meals together, dance parties and just enjoyed each other.

It was a Bittersweet and TEARFUL goodbye for me..
SO HAPPY we will see each other again in June and September!
I missed them before we pulled out of the drive.
Let me just say that THIS RV IS THE BEST INVESTMENT WE COULD HAVE EVER MADE!! OH the memories we have made already and will continue to make with our children-TOILET AND ALL!!

NEXT STOP..
THE BEACH..



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6 comments:

Kelly said...

Green with envy on this St. Patrick's day but so happy for you and your new memory making adventures. Have fun and continue sharing :)

bearhugs2u said...

oh what fun.....I remember the fun we had camping with our three when they were younger...sweet memories (even though we didn't have an RV). Dad and I are so glad you have a good relationship with your sisters and their families. You certainly have lots of relatives now. We love you and glad you are home safely (an answer to prayers). love to all Mom

Jen said...

We had so much fun... the kids and I can't wait for you to return and talk about your visit all of the time...

I must correct one part- I honestly do not think there was more than 1 inch on the left side of the RV- I was terrified!!! Pat was just talking about how we can hardly believe Nick got the RV into our driveway when Pat can hardly get our full sided van into our driveway- lol- lasting memories were made for all of us!!!

Hugs and love!!!

Unknown said...

I want one! I want one! I want one! Okay, seriously! I'm really happy for the memories you're making with your little ones. Sweet pictures of you with your sisters too. What a wonderful reunion! :)

quilt'n-mama said...

Awesome trip! DESTIN!!! Will my 4 kids and I fit too????? That is our FAVORTIE beach area- we just got back from the gulf coast in Texas- ok, but not FL.
Have a great time- when are you heading there?
Blessings to you and yours!

Renata said...

It looks like so much fun! I would love an RV, or even a caravan (maybe one day!) Looks like a wonderful holiday you are having - how great to be able to see so many in your family!