As we approach Christmas this year I've been trying to focus on the real meaning of Christmas with my kids. We have never celebrated Santa Clause (we're evil I know). That said, we have told our kids that there was a man named Nicolas years and years ago (I just found out how long ago - I had no idea he lived that long ago) who was known for leaving gifts for the underprivileged.
I am happy to say that when asked, both of my children now respond that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. It warms my heart every time when they tell me why that is so special. They now understand that we give gifts as a symbol of the ultimate gift we were given by Jesus coming to earth in the form of a baby and then 30 or so years later dying on the cross.
This year I have also been reflecting on how our current living situation has made it so that gifts this year for our kids are more in line with things to do (trips to fun places) and not things to play with. I have felt a bit guilty about it to be honest until I just realized as I was writing this, that Jesus was given 3 gifts from the wisemen.
Think about kids in this generation being given only 3 gifts. There would be a revolt! I think this year we are going to focus on the fact that the "stuff" doesn't matter. Does that mean that my kids will be receiving no "stuff"? No. It means that my kids are going to learn that we give them "stuff" because we love them (not because they deserve it as kids are told with Santa Clause), but we also don't go overboard... because we love them.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Conquering Hero
I did it! I did a bunch of errands driving the truck. What's more is that I got to the point where I feel comfortable driving the "Beast." I still have not gone through a drive through but I think I've practiced in enough other situations that I can at least determine if I should even try a given drive through. For example, I will be able to do my bank with no problems. The Wendy's however is another story.
For those of you keeping track.. hubby is conquering the travel trailer (meaning the upgrades are in progress). The hope is for us to be leaving Virginia by Jan 5th or so.
For those of you keeping track.. hubby is conquering the travel trailer (meaning the upgrades are in progress). The hope is for us to be leaving Virginia by Jan 5th or so.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Baby steps
Yesterday I took the next step in learning how to drive our new truck. I got rid of my training wheels (aka. hubby) and drove the truck by myself. OK, maybe not totally by myself since the kids were in the back seat. I was even driving it in the rain! I did park WAY out so I didn't have to worry about crashing into anyone else. Overall, a very good experience.
Today however I was a bit chicken. I decided not to drive the truck while doing some errands with the kids. Specifically, I was afraid I would not be able to park the truck at the library or make it through the Starbucks drive-thru. I would have been able to park at the library, but when I saw someone trying to park a truck of the same size at the Costco I knew I'd made the right decision.
Today however I was a bit chicken. I decided not to drive the truck while doing some errands with the kids. Specifically, I was afraid I would not be able to park the truck at the library or make it through the Starbucks drive-thru. I would have been able to park at the library, but when I saw someone trying to park a truck of the same size at the Costco I knew I'd made the right decision.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Diamond in the Rough
As I stated in my last posting, we recently decided to buy a truck and camper. Good news! My husband has the truck he's always wanted, and we have a pretty nice place to call our own.
It was very surreal to be driving the truck the other day with my husband in the passenger seat giving me pointers like I was just learning how to drive. I admit, the truck is a BEAST and is very different than anything else I've driven.
Thankfully we did not get a dually. If we had, I'm not sure I would be willing to drive it. You see, the truck we bought has a long bed. It makes it nice when you think about storing things (especially since it also has a locking topper) but it is VERY hard to park. Let's put it this way... for the next few months or so I will probably be "that" person who parks across two parking spaces (sometimes side-by-side and sometimes front-to-back). I also intend to park so there is no chance anyone else will park next to me. There is no way I will be able to park between two cars without hitting one of them... at least not for a while.
There is an up side to "the beast." I have never felt more safe (from deer and stupid drivers in particular). How can you not when you are the same height as a school bus? I kid you not; we were driving in town and I could look straight from my window into the window of the school bus next to us.
The trailer is also a beast! It is 38 feet long and has 4 distinct rooms. There is a room with bunks in the back for the kids. Just in front of that is a bathroom (with a full corner shower). Then comes the kitchen/dining/living area. In the very front is the master bedroom.
We have some work to do before the trailer is ready to go, but we hope to be going South before the end of December. With the weather the way it's been lately we can't get South soon enough.
It's taken a lot of searching but we've finally found our diamond in the rough. Let the fun begin!!!
It was very surreal to be driving the truck the other day with my husband in the passenger seat giving me pointers like I was just learning how to drive. I admit, the truck is a BEAST and is very different than anything else I've driven.
Thankfully we did not get a dually. If we had, I'm not sure I would be willing to drive it. You see, the truck we bought has a long bed. It makes it nice when you think about storing things (especially since it also has a locking topper) but it is VERY hard to park. Let's put it this way... for the next few months or so I will probably be "that" person who parks across two parking spaces (sometimes side-by-side and sometimes front-to-back). I also intend to park so there is no chance anyone else will park next to me. There is no way I will be able to park between two cars without hitting one of them... at least not for a while.
There is an up side to "the beast." I have never felt more safe (from deer and stupid drivers in particular). How can you not when you are the same height as a school bus? I kid you not; we were driving in town and I could look straight from my window into the window of the school bus next to us.
The trailer is also a beast! It is 38 feet long and has 4 distinct rooms. There is a room with bunks in the back for the kids. Just in front of that is a bathroom (with a full corner shower). Then comes the kitchen/dining/living area. In the very front is the master bedroom.
We have some work to do before the trailer is ready to go, but we hope to be going South before the end of December. With the weather the way it's been lately we can't get South soon enough.
It's taken a lot of searching but we've finally found our diamond in the rough. Let the fun begin!!!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Appologies from a slacker
I knew it had been a while since I had posted anything and I just realized it's been almost a month! I feel like such a slacker. I have a friend right now who is working full-time, taking an accelerated cohort college program, and is a wonderful mother to a 4 year old. Did I also mention she regularly posts on her own blog? In fact, her posts over the last few days have guilted me into staying up a bit late to get something posted today.
My intent for this blog was to let you know what is happening as it relates to our travels. I think the reason I have not posted anything has actually been because I really wish I was sharing different information. I was hoping to be in Australia for Christmas this year. Granted, we've known for a while that that wasn't going to happen. Our most recent hope was that we would drive South in an RV just days after Thanksgiving. That hasn't happened either. The RV we were going to take has engine issues and we've decided not to fix it.
Now we are on plan 3. Last week, we drove all over Virginia in search of a 1 ton truck and a travel trailer or 5th wheel camper. This new plan is a bit exciting because newer camper layout's seem to be better than the RV we had. It's a bit unnerving at the same time because we're going to be trading in our (read: "my") car for the truck. I will miss our car. It has just about every bell and whistle I could ever want.
We are still hopeful that we will be going to Australia, but I feel like we've given up so much already (e.g. a great house near my family and friends as well as our cat) that to give up "my" car would just irk me that much more if we don't end up in Australia. I feel a bit selfish and guilty considering what others are going through, but my husband has always wanted a truck so I am trying to suck this up and let him get his toy.
This does seem to be the logical thing for us to do right now. We could still move to Australia, which means we don't want to commit to a long-term rental. Not only that, but we don't have any furniture! A camper means our furniture travels with us and we don't have to commit to staying anywhere for more than a night. Not only that, but if we end up staying in the US, we're both thinking we want to buy a fixer-upper and having a camper will give us a place to stay while working on a house.
I am sorry I have been hiding from you. I will try to be better about posting. The next few days could be a bit hectic though (I'm pretty sure we will be buying the truck and camper this week) but I will certainly let you know what's going on.
Keep us in your prayers as we try to firm up our plans (and purchase a few rather big ticket items).
My intent for this blog was to let you know what is happening as it relates to our travels. I think the reason I have not posted anything has actually been because I really wish I was sharing different information. I was hoping to be in Australia for Christmas this year. Granted, we've known for a while that that wasn't going to happen. Our most recent hope was that we would drive South in an RV just days after Thanksgiving. That hasn't happened either. The RV we were going to take has engine issues and we've decided not to fix it.
Now we are on plan 3. Last week, we drove all over Virginia in search of a 1 ton truck and a travel trailer or 5th wheel camper. This new plan is a bit exciting because newer camper layout's seem to be better than the RV we had. It's a bit unnerving at the same time because we're going to be trading in our (read: "my") car for the truck. I will miss our car. It has just about every bell and whistle I could ever want.
We are still hopeful that we will be going to Australia, but I feel like we've given up so much already (e.g. a great house near my family and friends as well as our cat) that to give up "my" car would just irk me that much more if we don't end up in Australia. I feel a bit selfish and guilty considering what others are going through, but my husband has always wanted a truck so I am trying to suck this up and let him get his toy.
This does seem to be the logical thing for us to do right now. We could still move to Australia, which means we don't want to commit to a long-term rental. Not only that, but we don't have any furniture! A camper means our furniture travels with us and we don't have to commit to staying anywhere for more than a night. Not only that, but if we end up staying in the US, we're both thinking we want to buy a fixer-upper and having a camper will give us a place to stay while working on a house.
I am sorry I have been hiding from you. I will try to be better about posting. The next few days could be a bit hectic though (I'm pretty sure we will be buying the truck and camper this week) but I will certainly let you know what's going on.
Keep us in your prayers as we try to firm up our plans (and purchase a few rather big ticket items).
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Venting
"Things will work out. God will not give me more than I can handle." That has been my mantra for the last couple of days. You know what? Saying that over and over has helped, but so was lunch with a good friend of mine today.
On my way to lunch today, I was doing everything in my power to not cry. While leaving the house, one of my children did everything they could to guilt me into staying home (let's just say there was lots of crying and pulling on me). In addition to that, it seemed like all my families immediate travel plans were either being put on hold indefinitely or possibly worse - not going to happen at all.
By the time I was done with lunch, I was feeling SO much better. Have our travel plan issues been resolved? No. But being able to just talk things through with a good friend who really knows how I tick was just what I needed.
Lunch had been planned with my friend for days, but God knew exactly when I would need to see her. Love you J.
On my way to lunch today, I was doing everything in my power to not cry. While leaving the house, one of my children did everything they could to guilt me into staying home (let's just say there was lots of crying and pulling on me). In addition to that, it seemed like all my families immediate travel plans were either being put on hold indefinitely or possibly worse - not going to happen at all.
By the time I was done with lunch, I was feeling SO much better. Have our travel plan issues been resolved? No. But being able to just talk things through with a good friend who really knows how I tick was just what I needed.
Lunch had been planned with my friend for days, but God knew exactly when I would need to see her. Love you J.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Up, Up, and Away
Well, I finally did it. I took the kids on another field trip. We meet up with a friend from my MOPS group who happens to home school children of the same age as mine and we drove to the Air & Space Museum located in Chantilly, Virginia.
We decided upon this because 1. We weren't sure how our kids would do together for a long period of time, 2. It was the cheapest and easiest option because we were wary of taking our kids on the metro, and 3. It meant we didn't even have to go near the beltway.
Overall, we had a good time. My daughter was a little less than enthusiastic about how much walking we ended up doing (I don't have a stroller anymore and they don't rent them out like the zoos do) but as long as she got to sit every once in a while she was fine.
One of our favorite things was the area where you can observe airplanes taking off and landing at nearby Dulles International Airport. We could even hear the air traffic controllers as they talked to the pilots. We were also taken to a display air traffic control room where we learned just how important the job of an air traffic controller is.
We also learned about the different things airplanes are made of and why certain materials are better than others. We learned about the purpose of the lab on the space shuttle and why rockets have multiple segments.
It was a wonderful learning experience for the kids and the moms (at least me). Yes, I learned something too. I learned that my daughter is happier at the zoo and my son is just as happy at a museum or zoo. I'm not sure if it's the age difference or being a girl or that she didn't want to walk, but it's something I hope I can work around in the near future, because I would love to do another museum trip with the same friends taking on Washington, DC next time.
We decided upon this because 1. We weren't sure how our kids would do together for a long period of time, 2. It was the cheapest and easiest option because we were wary of taking our kids on the metro, and 3. It meant we didn't even have to go near the beltway.
Overall, we had a good time. My daughter was a little less than enthusiastic about how much walking we ended up doing (I don't have a stroller anymore and they don't rent them out like the zoos do) but as long as she got to sit every once in a while she was fine.
One of our favorite things was the area where you can observe airplanes taking off and landing at nearby Dulles International Airport. We could even hear the air traffic controllers as they talked to the pilots. We were also taken to a display air traffic control room where we learned just how important the job of an air traffic controller is.
We also learned about the different things airplanes are made of and why certain materials are better than others. We learned about the purpose of the lab on the space shuttle and why rockets have multiple segments.
It was a wonderful learning experience for the kids and the moms (at least me). Yes, I learned something too. I learned that my daughter is happier at the zoo and my son is just as happy at a museum or zoo. I'm not sure if it's the age difference or being a girl or that she didn't want to walk, but it's something I hope I can work around in the near future, because I would love to do another museum trip with the same friends taking on Washington, DC next time.
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