The Big, BIG Clean-Up

I haven't been online much these past few weeks.  My thoughts and time have been consumed with a few things.  Most of my thoughts up through last week involved new military assignment, moving, new school options and spring break trip.  Somewhere in the midst of my jumbled thoughts, long to-do list and sick children, we actually had to get some work done.  Our goal has been to put our current home on the market April 1.  So, I went to work getting things the way I thought they should look.  I can place some pretty high self-induced stress on myself to make it look the way I think it should look and follow the instructions of how to sell a home that I learned from HGTV (thankfully, we no longer have cable so it isn't a completely consuming thought).  All that to say, I think I try to control the situation.  Instead, I should do my best and pray and trust God to find that ONE buyer that we need. 

In the end, Chris was a big help serving as photographer and keeping my perfections in check (he's perfect for me!)  We have the pictures taken and are ready to list it.  So, if you know of anyone moving to southwest Oklahoma (I'm sure there are several of you out there.....), then send them our way.  Now, the hard work of keeping it this way for all those potential buyers out there.

Spring Break According to Luke

I love to hear the perspective of my kids.  So, before they headed back to school, I asked them what they were going to tell their teachers about their trips.  It was enlightening, but I think they told them more.  Luke wrote a bit about his trip and I thought I'd share it with you (I did make just a couple of spelling/punctuation corrections, but for the most part, this is right from his head to the paper.  Plus, some names are left out for their protection).  It made me smile!

My Spring Break

by Luke Robey (2nd grade)

I went to Big Bend National Park.  We rode our bikes with our friends the S--.  I rode my bike in a big ditch and little ditch.  I played most of the time with my brother and D-- and J--.  We went on a trail that led us to the edge of Texas.  We threw rocks across the river to Mexico.  My rock landed in Mexico.  We tried skipping rocks.  I didn't get my (rock) to skip.  We didn't have phone service there.  Our friends didn't get there till the next day.  We stayed there from Monday to Wednesday.  It was fun!  There was a pig there that was called a javalina.  It's a Mexico word.

Off the Grid

 Rio Grande River in Big Bend National Park (my favorite view and picture!)

It's hard to believe, but our spring break is over.  We had a good time and we were definitely away from civilization.  This year we headed out again with friends for another week long camping trip and our destination was Big Bend National Park in west Texas.  If you want to know where it is, it's not near anything except the border between the US and Mexico.  Let's just say, it's quite remote.  You are definitely going there and nowhere else.  We had a good time exploring a few places in the park.  Later in the week, we relaxed at Abilene State Park.  I thought I'd let the pictures show the fun!

 Let's just say, the food locker proved to be a very fun place to hang out.  Thankfully, we didn't see the wildlife (javelina, mountain lions and bears) that made the box necessary.

 Big Bend is known for its lack of light pollution.  Unfortunately, we were there during a full moon making it a bit more difficult to see the full amount of stars.  However, the skies didn't disappoint!

 I have no idea what cactus this was, but it had an interesting bloom.  I enjoyed the other cacti that were also blooming.

 The one token picture I have have of Chris and me at Big Bend.  This is the one canyon that I wanted to see.  Just as a side note, I love this blue sky!

 Loved that the bluebonnets were in bloom!

 The Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon

 Some more canyon views.  I loved this short hike!

 The trio

 Back at the campground, we were not far from a nature trail that led to the river.  Here, the kids are trying to hit Mexico with rocks.  I have no idea if Andrew ever did figure out that Mexico was a different country than the US and that New Mexico was part of the US.  There is probably a good reason I wasn't a geography teacher.

 The sunset reflecting off these Mexican cliffs was just astounding and the pictures do not do it justice.

 One day, we had terribly strong winds that stirred up a lot of dust that is quite evident in these pictures.  It looks a bit like fog, but it was dust.  It is so very dry there!

 Despite the dust, I still thought the views to be majestic

 The 4 mile hike.  Not far to Chris's left, is a complete drop-off.  Needless to say, that made me a bit nervous.  It was still a fun hike!

 Mexicans would walk/sneak over and leave their wares for people to buy.  This was quite interesting to me.....

 All the kids had a good time playing in the dirt at the State Park.  Needless to say, we had a very, very dirty trio!

We had a wonderful time with our sweet friends.  For now, this will be our last spring break trip with them.  Later this summer, we will both be heading to new and different assignments.  I just think we'll need to take a road trip (ok, cross country) to see them.  They certainly are special friends!