Our trip so far

Yesterday, I picked the kids up at school early and we left around 4pm. We were making excellent time until THE WORST TRAFFIC JAM EVER on I-75 South at the TN state line. We knew that that road had collapsed and the road was moved to I-75 North in a single lane. However, we had no clue that our timing was the WORST possible time to hit this area. Well, everyone was probably on Spring Break at the same time and we were in a 2.5 hour traffic jam on a windy, curvy mountain with NO exits for miles and miles!!

It went from bad to WORSE because our van was overheating (which has NEVER happened before) due to a standstill on the interstate. I have never seen the dial point to H before and Matt and I were VERY concerned. Many cars were pulling on the emergency lane to either go to the bathroom or to let their car cool down. People were getting irritable and very rude. It was not a pleasant experience. My blood pressure started to rise and I was close to a panic attack because our gas was getting below a fourth.

I had been texting my mom the whole time and asked her to pray, plus a few friends heard the news and were praying. After these prayers, we got to the single lane and from there it was smooth sailing and we got off at the next exit to get gas. I had a NIGHT of my pulse an heart racing. After a good night's sleep, everything was well.

Today, we went to Smoky Mtn. National Park and explored a different motor trail. It was called Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail. We visited cabins and family homesteads and the best site was the moss covered creeks and beautiful waterfall we saw all by the road. (Pics will be posted tomorrow).

Then, we went to the NASCAR Speedpark and rode go karts, rides, mini-golf and just had a blast. Now we are resting in the room and trying to decide about dinner. We plan on swimming tonight in our hotel pool.

Tomorrow, we have plans on visiting a rainforest zoo, chairlifts in Gatlinburg, shopping, and then hitting the road back home.

Packing

Tonight, I am trying to do more things than I should (why am I here?)....but after school tomorrow, we hit the open road!! Please pray for good weather as there is a big possibility that bad thunderstorms could be happening on our way down. We have a lot of fun and different plans for this trip! I'll post pics when I can. We are so very excited!!

4 more sleeps until....

SPRING BREAK! Can you tell I am looking forward to it? 10 days off.....one day to MYSELF when the kids go back 1 day before me. Ahhhhh.....can Friday get here any earlier??!!

The Smoky Mountians are calling....

A week from today, we will be out exploring the Smoky Mountains on our weekend getaway! We cannot wait! The kids are finally old enough to do somethings that I want them to experience. Although it's only for the weekend, we plan on doing a lot in the time we are down there. What I am looking forward to the MOST is getting out of town and just looking at God's creation. The kids are so very excited and we need this right now!

Wordless Wednesday - Friends

Skate, skate, skate

Birthday girl!

Cinderella had a great skating party! She had 11 children in attendance and enjoyed skating, playing games, and of course....all the attention. Her skating is getting better and better. Now if she will just let the wheels roll instead of walking, she will have it!!

The weather was incredibly beautiful! We would have had it at a park if we had known the weather was going to be so nice. It was fun, LOUD, but fun!

Mr. C

I will post pics from Cinderella's birthday party tomorrow evening (hopefully), but our Sunday was turned upside down when Mr. C started to cry uncontrollably. We knew he was constipated so we didn't wait any longer and took him to the ER. The ER at Children's was crazy and that is putting it mildly! We had to wait 2 hours before we got back into a room and was seen by a doctor.

The poor boy had to have an enema and was NOT happy about that! When that didn't work fast enough, an Xray was taken to see what was going on. He had MAJOR stool backup and it was causing his colon to be dilated which was quite serious. The doctor prescribed three strong meds including laxatives and stool softeners. He's home from school for 2 days so that hopefully he gets cleaned out. Poor boy! We arrived home AFTER 2am and so I am heading to bed now after getting less than 4 hours of sleep.

The biggest challenge is getting the medicine in him because he gags and throws up when we give it to him. So, I came up with the idea of freezing the miralax mixed with water in small ice cubes (he loves to chomp ice) and give him water (with miralax mixed in) with ice cubes and that worked like a trick! He drank all of the required meds with Miralax! He also has another liquid laxative to drink and we are hoping he takes it tomorrow. It's so challenging to get him to understand that he HAS to have these meds!!

Sneak Peek

Early Spring

80's in March is quite rare in my neck of the woods. It has really brightened my spirits to see sunshine and warm temps.....promises of the summer. It's going to be such a great Spring and we are gearing up for the big wedding in June. Just a couple of more months of school and we'll be getting ready for that time of year again!! The kids LOVE the outdoors and there is no better place I would rather be than outdoors. I wish we were going to a beach this year, but it will make next year's beach trip more worthwhile. We'll enjoy Kings Island this summer!

Happy 7th Birthday Cinderella!

Today was Cinderella's 7th Birthday! We celebrated by going out to dinner and going to the park since it was in the mid 70's! This is almost unheard of in March!! We then walked on my favorite bike trail and explored the pebble beach. The kids LOVE to throw rocks in the river and ponds. It was very relaxing and I got my exercise in as well! We won't forget this birthday!!

We hope this weather lasts!!

It's set!

Hotel has been booked, activities planned, money is saved, and we are set to go on a weekend trip out of state in a few weeks.

We plan on doing some things that we haven't done before and of course doing some thing we always usually do!!

Any ideas where we are going??!!

3 more weeks....

3 more weeks until SPRING BREAK! I cannot wait until March 30th at 3:10pm because my vacation will begin! We haven't planned anything exciting, but now I have been thinking about a weekend getaway if it all works out. We haven't been out of the state since our Disney vacation in early June of last year. So....I am thinking of something. Nothing has been finalized, but we all need time to relax, get away from the stress and reality of this life, and just have fun!!

What's coming up

This weekend, I will be teaching my first ever college class to fellow teachers offered by a local university. I am excited and absolutely scared! I hope this is just the beginning of me getting out of my comfort zone!

After the class, I plan on relaxing with my family and losing an hour of sleep due to SPRING FORWARD. (Did it HAVE to be THIS weekend??!!)

Next weekend is Miss Cinderella's birthday party at a local skating rink. She is so excited and cannot wait! Tuesday, March 13th is her actual birthday so I plan on doing something special on her birthday as well. She will also bring in treats to share with her classmates at school.

Two big weekends coming up and so much to prepare for!!

Bella

BIG NEWS!!

Matt came home today and totally brightened my day.....he said that his supervisor told him that he was permanently hired at his position! He brought home all the paperwork to fill out tonight! PRAISE THE LORD!!! He has struggled for 6 years to find a permanent position! We are still in shock, but am totally thrilled!!

This will definitely positively impact our family and our future endeavors!! Woooohoooo!!!

Tornadoes

First, I want to thank the Lord for protecting my friends and family today as the worst severe weather hit my tri-state area. My heart is very heavy tonight for all of the families who had home destroyed in Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana, and Ohio. The fatalities keep going up and it is unbelievable. I have not witnessed such devastation that is so close to home. These towns that have been obliterated are a 30 minute drive from my city. I guess the reality is hitting that it could've been MY city. So scary!!

Please pray for all the families. After the shock and grief, they will have to face reality without their loved ones and/or homes/communities. My heart and thoughts go out to them!!