We have recently moved into a two bedroom apartment temporarily while our house sells. We are learning a lot from this move. The most noticeable thing is that we have too much stuff, or rather, we HAD too much stuff. There are so many things we didn't bring here, knowing we wouldn't have room and I don't miss 'em. It is actually liberating. Now, there are things that we do miss and we will be getting quickly but I am more determined than ever to live minimally (if that is how you say it).
I have learned that I am more girly than I thought. I always considered myself the unfrilly type, and I am too an extent. Having three sons further led me to believe that I was a rough and tumble gal. NOT! We went camping with our best friends over the Fourth of July weekend. We had a wonderful time. The boys (they have two) made some awesome memories....they rode the Sea Doo, the bass boat, watched fireworks, played on the playground, swam, kayaked, caught minnows, learned how to work flint rocks (not my finest moment, there, oooops!) and rode bikes. I think that covers it besides the whole sleeping in a tent and cooking on coals part. They were in HEAVEN....I was so excited to take them since I have wonderful memories of camping with my own family as a child.
Apparently they were pretty good times.
It's ok with me if we start camper shopping. The tent thing is not for me.
Our besties were really roughing it- they stayed for four nights. (But I won't mention that they have a PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER...that should be outlawed....especially if they don't share with their fellow campsite people.
Anyway. I loved being with them and all our kids were there so it was a great experience. But I know that I am a little more girly than I thought. I was a little disappointed at this, but I'm coming to grips with it.
The next weekend, we took the kids to DeSoto Caverns. An amazing display of God's handiwork. I was really shocked at it and especially shocked that I have lived in Alabama my entire life and never gone there. I am making a list of things to do in Alabama and my boys will do them before they are grown. It is my new goal. While at Desoto Caverns, we enjoyed some really cute games. The kids had a great time and it wasn't too expensive. Always a winner in my book.
This week, Jordan stayed with us two nights. It is always a treat to have our 'boy' with us. We love him and miss him when he isn't with us. We went to the Museum of Natural History on the campus of the University of Alabama. It was a neat little museum and the boys really liked it. Peyton and Jordan expressed how much they liked it several times. Gavin thinks he remembers a story that one of his teachers who has passed away told him about a fossil there. All three said it was neat....so I'll give it two thumbs up. Definitely worth the $5.00 it cost us to enter. This evening, we went to Tannehill State Park. We met Christiane, Heidi and Ruby there. Casey & Larry joined us when they got off work. We grilled and the boys fished. Great lazy evening....while we were eating, a doe walked right up to our campsite! Heidi said, "Well, it's not every day you do that!" I smiled at her and thought, every day with you is amazing...but in our effort to keep things 'normal', I refrained. I did think momentarily to the day almost 3 years ago when I saw those four sweet kids walking down the hall to the chapel and I wondered if I would ever see much of them again. These lazy days make me so very thankful that God blessed Larry & I and we are able to spend a lot of time with them. God is SO GOOD! Yes, Heidi, it's not everyday that something like this happens!
-Sondra
