We Choose This Life...

Sundial Bridge & Burney Falls State Park

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

For at least the next month & a half we will be traveling around Northern California. Nick is on a short term project & we will be in an area for a week or so and then move on to the next area. Since we are "from" Northern California, we are excited about this time to be able to visit with family and friends along our way, as well as explore.

Currently we are in Red Bluff, CA. We've spent the past week getting back into our routine and reorganizing the trailer. After spending almost 3 weeks at Grandma & Papa's house, we've been busy settling back into RV life. We don't lay low for long.

Our week was also filled with walks along the Sacramento River, which is directly behind our RV Park.

One day after work we drove into Redding and took an sunset walk across Sundial Bridge. Winter hadn't quite hit yet, so there were runners, bikers and walking families galore --- plus Ben the Knife Juggler.

On Sunday we too a drive to Burney Falls State Park. President Roosevelt once called Burney Falls the 8th wonder of the world. I can see why. It was about 35 degrees, so we were all a but cold, but not too cold to hike the Falls loop.

It is sure nice to be back in the land of mountains, trees, flowing rivers and the Pacific --- California you may be expensive & crowded, but you are SUPER beautiful.

Simplify Christmas

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

For most, December is a crazy month filled with parties, programs, baking, buying, decorating, overspending, secrets and stress. Why? Why are we doing all of these things? Do we feel present, peaceful and grounded? Or does it make us feel frantic, frazzled and burdened?

Just the sheer thought of the craziness that surrounds Christmas makes me on the verge of a panic attack. The obscene amount of unnecessary things that are purchased and given is overwhelming. We give not because we can afford to give or want to give or even because the person needs the gift. Instead we so often give with debt acquired because, in some way or another, we feel obligated to give.

Year after year, I feel deep down inside of my soul a conviction, a yearning that longs to celebrate only the birth of Jesus on Christmas.

I'm not saying that it’s easy, and I'm for sure not saying that I don't fail miserably each year, but I continue to long for this celebration and to try my best.

I long for a simple Christmas. One where no materialistic gifts are needed, but where our time spent together is the best gift. One where no fake man with a big white beard is what children are excited about, but where all are completely overjoyed that their Father in heaven loves them so very much he sent His own son to give to us a beautiful undeserved gift. I long for a simple Christmas with no debt, no stress, no greed, no desires of our own take over; a simple Christmas that truly focuses on what Christmas is really celebrating-the birthday of Jesus Christ.

We do many things each December to keep our focus on Jesus. And I am longing to add more traditions to our December, but more so I am feeling called to change our Christmas Eve & Christmas Day to truly focus on that little babe in the manger.

Here are some of our family’s Christmas traditions:

- We teach them about Saint Nicholas. We talk each year about what an amazing man of God he was and how he sacrificed his own needs for people who had less than him. We do not teach our children to believe in Santa. (Our children do know that others believe Santa is real and brings them gifts. They know it is that child's mama and daddy's job to tell them the real story- not our job! :) )

- We read different versions of the biblical Christmas story each day of December. Some of our favorites are: The Animals Christmas Eve, The Jesus Storybook Bible, The Christmas Baby, The Christmas Story with the Holly Babes. We lots of play time with our Little People Nativity.

-We seek out Drive Thru Nativity's, with hot cocoa in hand we enjoy the outing as a family.

-We encourage the hand making of gifts or the buying of a gift that will be truly special to that specific person. Each gift we give is carefully planned and picked for its receiver.

-Every evening during our Bible time, we focus on the scripture leading up to Jesus' birth. Our method changes yearly, but this year we are going through Ann Voskamp's Jesse TreeJourney, and in addition to the scripture, we are reading the corresponding story out of our Jesus Storybook Bible. (I think we will use this particular combination for years to come. I feel a tradition brewing. *swoon*)

-On Christmas Eve the children do a play of the birth of Jesus.

-Christmas Day we have a birthday party for Jesus, complete with decorations, cake (or cupcakes), singing and celebrating.

What are some of the ways your family keeps Jesus at the center of this season?

What are some ways your family keeps Jesus at the center of Christmas Eve & Christmas Day?

December Photo Project :::: 12.20.11 & 12.21.11

2011-12-22T15:56:00.001-08:00

12.20.11 :::: Summer Camp Friends

Reconnecting with old friends is one of the many perks of traveling fulltime. Loved meeting up with Kristen (another like-minded mama) & her family. I hadn't seen Kristen in over 8 years, but we stay connected through Facebook!

12.21.11 :::: Morning Goodbyes

Still in our pjs, coffee in hand, a little sad about saying goodbye, but feeling so blessed having spent an entire week living life together.

December Photo Project :::: 12.17.11 -12.19.11

2011-12-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

12.17.11 :::: Nativity

12.18.11 :::: Biggest Pizza Ever (Before)

12.18.11 :::: Biggest Pizza Ever (After)

On 12.18 the Lendes and the Moris had our Christmas complete with a 24" pizza....needless to say it was not too much pizza for us.

12.19.11 :::: Cousins

December Photo Project :::: 12.15.11 & 12.16.11

2011-12-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

12.15.11 :::: Fairytale Town

12.16.11 :::: Hiking Auburn State Park

A few days into our week with E, Uncle Serg & Baby Lucca and we have already had so much fun. Spent an afternoon at Fairytale Town in Sacramento, E & I loved sharing this place with our husbands and children, we had wonderful memories of going there as children. Then the next day E & Serg brought us to one of their new found treasures a hike in Auburn State Park, so beautiful.

December Photo Project :::: 12.14.11 :::: Driving

2011-12-14T15:30:00.000-08:00

Comfy boots, good tunes and riding in the passenger seat on our way to spend a week with our most favorite family of three.

December Photo Project :::: 12.13.11 :::: Pizza & Grandpa

2011-12-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

December Photo Project :::: 12.10.11 - 12.12.11

2011-12-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

12.10.11 :::: Besties

12.11.11 :::: Grandma Love

12.12.11 :::: Friends

December Photo Project :::: 12.9.11 :::: Morning View

2011-12-09T15:15:00.000-08:00

North of Ventura on the Rincon Parkway I woke up to waves crashing and this view. Oh Pacific Ocean how I have missed you.

December Photo Project :::: 12.8.11 :::: Alone

2011-12-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

In a family with six children there is always someone to play with. But it is when they each take their alone time that they truly melt my heart. These little people, living right before me, I am SO blessed to be a part of their lives.

December Photo Project :::: 12.7.11 :::: Anticipation

2011-12-07T23:00:00.000-08:00

Lights, garland, candles, Little People Nativity, Jesus Storybook Bible & various renditions of the story of Jesus' birth ---- we use these things to help prepare us as we anticipate the coming of our Savior.

December Photo Project :::: 12.6.11 :::: Crazy Hair

2011-12-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

This boy made me a mama over 9 years ago. He has a huge heart, loves his siblings with all his might and would give his all for the right cause. He reads more in a week than I read in a year and will stop at nothing to keep his long hair.

December Photo Project :::: 12.5.11 :::: Lego Building

2011-12-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

We spent a wonderful day at LegoLand California. Good weather, good company and many memories made. This was our second time going to LegoLand we would wholeheartedly recommend it for families with younger children. And if your a homeschooler, check out Homeschool Mondays, saved us HUNDREDS of dollars.

December Photo Project :::: 12.4.11 :::: Dad & Daughter

2011-12-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

We made it to California and spent the day with my dad and my 11 year old sister Alana. It was a fun day filled with good conversation, Wii playing, eraser sharing and food eating. Want to know something crazy??!! I only met my dad for the first time just a little over 2 years ago.

December Photo Project :::: 12.3.11 :::: Giggles

2011-12-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

I wish photos had sound. I want to capture her almost 4 month old giggle and remember it forever. Her biggest brother Aidan can make her giggle ALL.DAY.LONG, they have the most amazing bond...I pray it will always be that way. It seems like with each child we all just ooogle over them more and more. Nick and I fight over who gets to hold her and multiple times a day we bring everyone over to see just how stinkin' cute she is. Lyric don't ever doubt that you have seven people that love you MORE than you could ever imagine.

December Photo Project :::: 12.2.11 :::: Desert Campfire

2011-12-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

After driving 515 miles through New Mexico & Arizona we stopped for the night in Quartzsite, AZ. Quartzsite is home to about 3500 people in the Spring, Summer & Fall, but come Winter the population can grow to over ONE MILLION! We arrived just before sunset and pulled into the Hi Jolly BLM area (where you can boondock for 14 days - for free). It being early December there weren't many RVers there which was nice for a quick stay. We hope to go back one winter when Q in its full blown craziness, which is usually January/February. This was our second time in Quartsizte, our first was in March 2010.

December Photo Project :::: 12.1.11:::: Sunset

2011-12-01T18:37:00.001-08:00

Today we spent driving, driving through a whole lot of Texas. Just as the sun was setting we stopped to make dinner at a rest stop a few miles outside of El Paso, one of the bazillion reasons why I love having my house with me at all times -- homemade dinner mid-roadtrip. And after 655 miles we are settling in for the night at a Walmart in New Mexico.

Five Months??!!

2011-11-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

Have we really been back on the road for more than five months??!!

Have I really not written about any of it??!! (Well I blogged about Lyric's birth, gold star for me)

Honestly, its been a crazy, busy, wonderful summer and fall. I spent my time enjoying it. But I thought it was about time that I caught all of you up on our adventures!

Here's a recap of the last five months:

We traveled through 12 States: Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Arkansas & Texas.
And drove THOUSANDS of miles!

*Seriously...this post is long and has so many pics, .if you make it to the end then please let me know, you deserve a BIG prize. We have lived so much life these past 5 months, sitting down in one day to recap it has inflicted an overwhelming sense of joy! We have done so much, seen so much, loved so much & best of all we have done it all TOGETHER. We have chosen to travel, we have chosen to have more than the average amount of children and we have chosen to live each day to its fullest AND through all this we have been BLESSED beyond measure.*

Chicagoland, IL

Hung out at Jellystone in Millbrook, IL
dropped Daddy off at work & enjoyed a bus ride to the FREE Lincoln Park Zoo

Rock Island, IL/Davenport, IA

Watched the Mississippi River Locks & Dam #15 in action & learned how locks & dam works
Visited the John Deere Museum
Went to a ski show of the Backwater Gamblers

Galena, IL/Dubuque, IA

Rode the Fenelon Place Elevator ~ world's shortest, steepest, scenic railway
Explored the cute town of Galena, IL

Rockford, IL

Enjoyed meeting and spending time with Nick's grandmothers sister
4th of July ~ Rockford, IL
Swimming daily at the campground pool

Sandusky, OH

Took a ferry to Put-in-Bay, OH (in Lake Erie)
Aidan and Coda earned Jr Ranger Badges at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
Fed bunnies and ate lots of pancakes at Camp Sandusky

Monroe, MI

Ate, played, chatted and campfired it up with our AWESOME friends The Theides

Randomness around Ohio

Paducah, KY

Celebrated Aidan's 9th birthday by seeing Cars 2, then ice cream & presents at Cold Stone

Shawnee, OK

Moved out of the trailer and into a hotel because it was 115+ degrees
Had our sweet baby girl Lyric in said hotel

Petersburg, KY

Spent a wonderful day exploring the Creation Museum

Manheim, OH

Had our first visitors post-Lyric -- E & Baby Lucca!
Spent a wonderful day on the BEACH of Lake Erie

Lebanon/Hershey, PA

Took a day trip to Gettysburg
Spent a day in Amish country; drinking homemade rootbeer & taking a carriage ride through Amish farmland
Spent a few days stuck at our campground due to all the roads to leave being flooded!

Indiana Dunes National Park

Earned Jr Ranger Badges
Felt a little less landlocked for the afternoon

Milton, WI

Continued to love on this wonderful little baby.
Ventured into Madison almost every Saturday for the Madison Farmers Market
Spending time in Worship and fellowship with more of Nick's extended family, love our Beloit, WI family!
Experiencing our first "real" fall & the first snow of 2011

St. Louis, MO

Dropped off stuff & picked stuff up at our storage unit (fun times)
Ate dinner with wonderful friends!

Branson, MO

Our good friends the Dodds who live in Texas were in transit to St. Louis, while were heading to Texas, so we met up in Branson

Little Rock, AR

Walked the longest foot bridge in North America, rightly named - Big Dam Bridge ;)
Saw the world famous Peabody ducks do their evening march

Livingston, TX

Spent a few days becoming real Texans, we have license plates, drivers licenses and an address to prove it :)

Birth of Lyric Elizabeth

2011-09-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Born August 5, 2011

I woke up Thursday morning with a backache, nothing new, I was almost 38 weeks pregnant and backaches come with the territory. In the late afternoon I began having very sporadic contractions, not ones that I had to breathe through or concentrate on, but not Braxton Hicks. They picked up a bit in the evening, just enough that I asked Nick to not go into work that night. But then by 9pm they were sporadic and dwindling in strength. We watched an episode of Alias on DVD and went to bed. I slept hard and good, not sure I even woke up once to go to the bathroom. That was until 3:28am – I was awoken by a CONTRACTION. I was lying on my side in bed and was frozen in pain. I gained composure right as it was ending and thought maybe I was dreaming. I lie there awake and a few minutes later, another contraction. Not wanting to wake Nick unless it was necessary I got into the shower. I’ve never much been for baths in labor, I can’t move around enough. The shower allowed for change of position and rocking. I made it in the shower until just before 4am. I was in a lot of pain and the contractions were getting stronger, so I woke Nick.

We both agreed that this was it. We were going to have a baby and soon. In the weeks leading up to Lyric’s birth, Nick and I discussed options. Since we had gone “back on the road”, a homebirth in St. Louis with our midwife was not an option. So basically we had two options; when I went into labor we would go to the local hospital where I would labor with nurses I didn’t know and be delivered by a doctor I didn’t know, while Nick and the children waited in the waiting room OR we could gather birth supplies and have her wherever we were, just us. I had been researching, more like avidly studying unassisted birth since I was pregnant with Dillon (who ended up being born in the car). We prayed about our decision and knew it was the right one. We decided to go unassisted, all the while knowing that if either of us felt uncomfortable or worried we would call 911. We had everything we needed, herbs, chux pads, cord clamps, Doppler, a shower curtain liner to put under sheets, and many other random birth items. I had books; Heart and Hands, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year and Spiritual Midwifery.

I was having back labor and the only position that was the least bit comfortable was on my hands and knees. Sometimes I could rest my arms and lean on the folded out sofa bed, but mostly I had to be on my hands and knees. Nick would squeeze my hips together or push hard on my tail bone area. I kept asking him to push harder, he didn’t believe me, but I NEEDED it. (Funny because the next day I had actual bruising on my hips and tail bone…guess he WAS pushing hard.)

The children were all asleep, the older four in beds on the other side of the half wall in the hotel suite and Jericho in a bed made on the floor on the other side of the sofa bed. I never once worried about waking them, I knew if they woke it would be fine, it would be the right time.

The contractions were coming closer and they were lasting longer, it was past 5am. Between a contraction I told Nick we (actually meaning he) should probably get stuff ready for the birth. I wasn’t sure where I would give birth and since we were in a hotel, we decided to be overprotective. Waterproof pad (aka shower curtain liner) under our sheets on the fold out sofa, chux pads on the floor on top of the pillows I was kneeling on and extra chux pads in the bathroom. Also, he set out the scissor, cord clamp, herbs, my 3 books, my notes, bowl for the placenta and extra towels. He was amazing, doing all this in the very limited time between contractions and coming right back to me when he could tell another was starting.

Not having a clock nearby I am not sure the timing of the final stage of the labor. I began feeling pushy, but also knew it wasn’t time just yet. I continued through a few more contractions, still hurting immensely in my back. I was 99% sure she was posterior (like Téadora was) and thought I felt her rotating during contractions. I checked myself and felt that I was complete except for a little lip (cervical lip)…I had heard about lips, read about lips, but never knew exactly what it meant until I FELT a cervical lip. I pushed/stretched the lip (it was super easy, just like it wanted to be moved) and was now 100% dilated. The bag of waters was still intact. At this point I was really bearing down with each contraction, but wasn’t trying to push. Being on my hands and knees didn’t feel right anymore. I am not sure what it was, but I NEEDED pressure on my back and the amount of pressure Nick could give wasn’t enough. And as I think back, I think I needed to look at him and focus with him, while pushing. So I got up onto the sofa bed and my body took over.

Nick was everything to me during these last moments of labor. I was squeezing his hand, pushing on him with a foot (and all my might), needing his eye contact and wanting constant updates about the baby. Her bag of waters was protruding and then right as her head was crowning the back of waters ruptured…it happened right as a contraction was ending, so I sat for what seemed like forever with her head RIGHT there, ring of fire to the fullest. She came a bit further, her head all the way out, the cord was around her neck and Nick couldn’t slip it off. I leaned forward and with on little sweep, the cord was free. With one more contraction she was out. She was born into Daddy’s hands and then brought up to my chest with my hands. Oddly enough, she was neither born posterior or anterior…she was born with her face facing the inside of my right thigh. The only thing I can come up with as to why that was, is that she was posterior and was rotating in labor like I thought and didn’t make it all the way; either due to lack of time or her cord being around her neck.

During the last minutes of the labor, Jericho popped up from beside the bed, Dillon & Téadora peaked around the corner. And as she was coming up onto my chest Aidan & Coda came around also. They all kneeled and watched as their little sister had her first moments. We had NO idea what time she was born, we looked at the clock it was 6:04am. Nick and I were trying to guess how long it had been. And then Aidan said, “it was 5:58 when Dad said she’s out and I heard her little cry.” Well that settled it; Lyric Elizabeth was born on August 5, 2011 at 5:58am in a hotel outside of Oklahoma City, OK.

A bit later a dear friend and her children were our first visitors. They had been visiting us on their way back to Texas and just happened to be there for her birthday! And then later that day Nick bought a scale. She weighed 6lbs and was 20in long.

I have had such a hard time putting into words what those 2 ½ hrs were to me. Lyric’s labor and birth was the MOST amazing experience of my life. I listened to my body, fell deeper in love with my husband and relied fully on my Father in heaven. The labor and birth felt SO natural, Nick and I just flowed together, there was little talking and less questioning, and it was as though we had done it 100 times, felt like we were “old pros”. Her birth was a truly healing experience. Jericho was born just over 2 years ago, by emergency c-section, he & I almost didn’t make it, I was hemorrhaging due to placenta previa. After his birth I was scared, so scared it would happen again and even more so that the outcome wouldn’t be positive. Lyric’s pregnancy and birth healed me, took away my fears and was beautiful.

One last thing, I am so very thankful for the amazing family and friends and strangers that we have had in our life through this. I expected negativity and rudeness, I expected to be treated as if we did something wrong. And I am so happy to say that we weren’t. We weren’t looked down on for going about this birth the way we did, we were supported, loved and our decisions respected. And for that I am forever grateful.

More photos of Lyric Elizabeth here.

And we're back...

2011-07-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Back on the road that is and we couldn't be happier. The open road is where we are meant to be.
The events that lead up to us being back on the road fulltime was a whirlwind...the good kind, but whirlwind nonetheless.
Towards the end of May we went "camping" in the trailer and felt so at home, it was amazing. Conversations about going back on the road had been going on since about January, so we decided we'd check into the option of going back on the road. We knew it would end in one of two ways...we'd be asked to leave SOON or they would say they didn't have any openings on the road. On May 26th he asked, on May 27th we decided and were to be leaving 9 days later. So in 9 days we packed up a house, put it in storage, made a few little changes to the trailer and pulled out of town.
Our travels are a bit different than they were previously...we are staying in areas for shorter periods of time. So for the past month we've traveled all over Illinois and tomorrow we venture over into Iowa.
I have lots of blog catching up to do and its taking me a bit to get back into the grove of sitting and writing about our crazy life. So hang tight...photos and stories will be following in the weeks to come.

Digging Deep: A Toolbox and Workbook for Personal Growth

2011-05-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

Its Monday and I'm blogging for the second time in seven days AND there is a HUGE reason for that. Tara Wagner is officially launching her AMAZING eBook/audio book/workbook today. I couldn't help but spread the word a bit. Tara has talked me through rough times with my special needs child and taught me so very much through the writing on her blog, The Organic Sister.

I have only just begun Digging Deep and already I am scouring high and low for extra quiet time to work through this eBook. Won't you join me in Digging Deep?

As I continue to work through the Digging Deep I will be sharing more of my thoughts and I hope you will also.

*FYI ~ I am an affiliate for Tara...what that means is I will get a portion of the sales of the eBook when my readers make a purchase.

Spring is here.

2011-04-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

And we've been busy.

Last Snow.

Visitors.

Birthdays.

Exploring.

Constructing.

Playing.

Growing.

Settling. Planning. Cleaning. Organizing. Simplifying.

Here's to spring...the sun, the rain, the new life that is seen all around.

12 Project ~ January 2011

2011-03-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Sledding on Art Hill, Forrest Park, St. Louis

January was our second full month in St. Louis. We are getting routines and getting involved in various activities. Téadora & Dillon are taking gymnastics at the YMCA, which they love. Aidan and Coda have run of and joined the circus, no I'm not kidding. They are taking class with Circus Harmony. Their first day they did everything, even a routine on the trapeze. We are all enjoying being involved in an outreach for school aged children.

Téadora turned 5 this month and we celebrated in one of the only ways possible in the 15 degree weather...Chuck E Cheese. It had to have been the busiest day of the year, the children enjoyed it, Nick & I not so much. I cannot believe she is 5! She is writing her name, our names, letters, numbers...she is interested in reading and love to make lists ALL.THE.TIME! And cutting, wow, can that girl cut up paper into the tiniest pieces ever.

Our house is feeling more like home. I am amazed at how fast stuff accumulates when I'm not daily/weekly purging because lack of space. We have no garage and no basement, which basically equals NO storage. I love it. We have to keep our storage totes to a minimum, only what will fit in the attic and hand me down clothes in the kids closets.

There was quite a bit of ice and snow. I think one week we were "stuck" home for 4 or 5 days. Nick couldn't work for two days. We were preparing for major power outages. Except for inches and inches of ice that stuck around for what seemed forever we survived. I would by lying if I said I wasn't already dreaming of Spring...I am!!

Lego Club

2011-02-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

A little over a year ago our family visited LEGOLAND California. We all had a blast and highly recommend it. For us LegoLand was doable with five kids and two adults, unlike the other highly sought after theme park in Southern California. Not to mention cheaper and one day was just enough. Even though we were there from opening until closing.

While at LEGOLAND we found out about the Lego Club Magazine. We subscribe (for FREE) to both the regular magazine and the Jr. version. Aidan and Coda love that day each month that the magazine comes in the mail. Within minutes they are working on that months contest, determined to win the $100 gift card to buy nothing but LEGOS.

I have a confession, they build, I take a photo and I NEVER get it printed off and sent out in time. BUT...this month I redeemed myself. We're still awaiting the results, but here is Coda and his "Blue Bird". (This month was to build a flying creature/animal.)

So make sure you head on over to Lego Club and get your own FREE subscription!!

Sledding at Art Hill

2011-02-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago it snowed quite a bit and we decided we wanted to go sledding. Not knowing where the best place to sled around St. Louis was, I turned to my trusty friend GOOGLE. "best sledding St. Louis"...Art Hill in Forest Park seemed like a good pick. So bright and early Saturday morning we headed out to Art Hill.

There was a lake at the bottom, but don't fret, they (whoever they are) puts bales of hay at the bottom so nobody ventures into the almost frozen lake.

Midway through our sledding adventures we stopped for a hot cocoa break --- it was in the twenties, so so warming up was much needed.

And after many "one last time's" we finally called it a day and headed to try out a new Thai restaurant - Basil Spice Thai.