“Eleanor Rig-by”

Happy Fourth of July!

It’s been an exciting two days here at Camp Raab. We picked up our “rig” yesterday morning! Though we thought this was the pre-planning before our trip started…our adventure began sooner than we thought! This RV has lived a good life, but what comes with the territory caused us to have to adjust to a few things. We had talked with the boys about calling her “Rigby” …but after getting to know her a little more, sweet ol’ “Eleanor” may be more fitting.

As advised, we began our dry run with the RV in our driveway, so we were close to the house if any issues arose or we realized we forgot something. I know I don’t have to tell you how hot it was yesterday. Well…a pretty big issue arose: Eleanor’s A/C conked out! Hmmmmmm… This was certainly alarming, considering the first half of our route is through the South and then the desert. We are already learning how to adapt and be flexible and we haven’t even left the driveway! After more trial and error and more “help from a friend” – we were able to get it working! Yay! But this was several hours later.

Soaking wet, hungry, and way behind on our packing and errands, we headed to Walmart with our many lists. It was 7:30 PM. By the time we ate dinner and loaded up all of our stuff at the stores, it was 10:45. Yikes! This is not how this bedtime stickler likes to do things. [Adapt.] But man, the boys were such troopers. They have really taken ownership of some things for this trip and we are excited to see how they continue to grow throughout the month.

We got a fairly good night’s sleep and had fresh eyes on it all this morning. I took my coffee out there, when I woke up (it was MUCH cooler!), and cleaned to my heart’s content. The packing has been going really well and we are getting more and more excited as each load goes in. It’s fun to find places for things and make it feel like home. Aiden and Brady have been working SO hard, right along with us. At one point, I had been inside for awhile making more lists (haha) and when I came out, this is what I saw.

It just melted my heart… They have already made themselves right at home. It made all the stress of yesterday worth it. We look forward to many days like this – just relaxing and being together. There are so many opinions on parenting out there. Here’s my best advice: do whatever it takes to raise kids you enjoy being around.

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!”  – Psalm 127:3-5

| Countdown to Departure: 4 hours!!!! |