Life as a Yowler

Life lately has consisted of a lot of back and forth between Michigan and Ohio. I haven’t chosen the most stellar of attitudes. In fact I’ve chosen a terrible attitude. I always come around later, but in the midst of chaos, I’m a terrible example of Christ to my kids and my husband. It’s something I’m working on, because I’m seeing my own attitude reflected in my kids emotions. I’ve been mad at Brandon lately and blaming him for things. I function so well on routine and normal. Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for him I would never go anywhere. I think one of the hardest things to figure out as a parent is: is life harder staying home all the time, or is it harder going places? Well in my case, I don’t waste time thinking too hard about my answer. I have no choice. Brandon is one chaotic, spontaneous, go with the flow, lack of planner, lack of thinking through details kind of dude. I married him, so here I am too. Did I know what I was signing up for when I married him?….ummm no! But would I trade it?…….again no. Overall I’m very thankful. I love our life. I know we are very blessed and have so many opportunities. And I’m working on my willingness to just go with it and choose gratefulness. After all, Brandon wants us with him all the time. He doesn’t mind the chaos or noise, which is a lot different than lots of other men.

The beauty of homeschooling is the flexibility. My kids have adapted and adjusted to doing school wherever we are that day. The Beauty of Brandon’s job is also the flexibility. He can do his job on the road for the most part. He has several meetings and trainings he has to be at, but the majority of his job is done through emails and phone calls. Right now is Brandon’s slow season as far as business meetings. It’s the shop’s busy season(of making furniture), which means Brandon slows down on selling the furniture for the Fall. Homeschooling and Brandon’s job, leave the opportunity to pick up last mintute and travel. Brandon has been hunting in Ohio, where he grew up. His grandpa owns some woods. Now I don’t understand all the hunting details, but apparently there is a better chance of a large buck with large brow tines here in Ohio. The forty acres we own at home have failed this hunting season, as there is nothing shootsble. The reason we know this….it’s all thanks to 25-30 trail cameras.

After much debate, and like I said before….. bad attitudes from me, I decided to tag along with Brandon to Ohio for the second time in 1.5 weeks. Brandon and I both decided before we had kids, we wouldn’t be slowed down, no matter how many kids we had. We wanted them to see and experience life. We wanted to do things together as a family, and not do too many separate independent things. We are thankful for the opportunity. And yes, I’m thankful I married Brandon. No one makes me laugh harder. No one handles my up and down emotions quite like he does. No one handles my lack of decision making like he does. He knows I always come around. I always change my attitude. And I always love my crazy zoo of a family at the end of the day…..even when Caed pukes at Panera Bread on the trip to Ohio because he gagged on too big of a bite. 🤦‍♀️ Hello all of Panera Bread, who is now intently staring at us. We are the Yowler’s and we are just letting you know we are passing through Toledo.

Summary of our back and forth between places the last couple weeks:

Brandon’s mom just had surgery, so we helped her decorate her house for Christmas while I was there to do the lifting for her. The kids made some ornaments.

“Mom, check out my reindeer’s cotton butt.”

The finished product….decorated completely by the kids alone. They sung several Christmas carols while decorating the tree.

Grandma has the nicest basement for riding bike and playing.

Isla started walking last week. Look out world. This girl is active!

Joah made this aircraft from the Air Force Museum we went to with Papaw Bill. I was impressed.

Aunt Bethany always does cute braids in Brielle’s hair.

Brielle had a play date with her cousin, Charlie. These girls get along really well.

We made the first fire of the season, when we got back home. This is one of the kids favorite activities in the world. We have lots of memories of snuggling around the fire when it’s cold outside.

I love when they love each other.

I don’t love feeding this baby. I do love this baby though.

These kids are good about doing their school wherever….you know wherever we are that day. Yesterday it was at grandma Gascho’s house(between doctor appointments, work engagements, and travels). Today it was at Grandma Yowler’s House.

Trips to Ohio are good for stopping at Bronners. Mr. Sunshine loves pictures to document the stop.

We arrived again in Ohio about 11pm last night. Only one child fell asleep in the car for the night. The good news is all four slept in until between 8:30-10:00. I’ll take it!