Life as a Yowler

We enjoyed our time at home, even though it was short. We call it crunch time. The time before and after a trip is crunch time, because it’s so exhausting what all gets crammed in. We have SO much to do always. It always works out and we have yet to ever forget a child.

Our time home was spent cleaning our basement that flooded(and filling out all the paperwork that goes with that), catching up on house projects, freezing sweet corn, catching up on work for Brandon, and hanging out with as many friends as we could. We tried to catch up with as many people as possible. We sure have missed seeing our friends. We tried to enjoy Summer. Michigan is most enjoyable in the Summer, and I hate that we missed almost at entire Summer at home. At the same time, I wouldn’t trade our travel experiences. While home, I also  recruited several sweet young girls to babysit my kids. It was so helpful and allowed me to have some much needed alone time to rest or work on projects.

Our next trip(this one) I was very excited about. We had plans to stop on our way to North Carolina in Little Rock. Our friends, the Shupe’s, new home is there. We had been in contact with Paul about coming over Arin’s birthday weekend, which is also Labor Day weekend. She was surprised and so excited to see us. She did have some indication that something was up. Friday(the day we came) the girls were very excited and whispering to each other a lot. So Arin knew something was up.

Our time with the Shupe’s has been great so far. We took them to the Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson to see the Samson play. We’ve seen it before, but it was so much better the second time around. It was much more fun watching it with friends. I loved seeing their girls faces. I loved Luella’s questions of “oh Carla was that real?”(referring to several animals and props)

These three made a birthday cake for Arin’s birthday. They also cooked all of us lunch. They work together very well. The Shupe’s have a nice spot right in their driveway for our motor home. They have a beautiful new home, which is really wonderful, because that brings me to my next point.

You may have noticed the title of this blog.  Our plan was to head to Virginia Beach after Labor Day weekend. Brandon has taken four days off from store trainings. We wanted to just rest and relax at the beach. We wanted a little vacation. Even though we travel and do several things, Brandon usually has 1-2 store trainings daily. So we were very much looking forward to resting at the beach. Well thanks to the hurricane, we had to come up with a plan B. The Shupe’s being the overly gracious people they are said “just stay with us!” We made them promise to allow us to work and help them settle in. Selah and Luella watch my kids amazingly well. Brandon and Paul have been doing house projects. And I’ve been trying my hardest to help Arin unpack and organize when I can. Those of you that know me know I am a huge organizing nerd.

We joined the Shupe’s on their first day of school today. We each split up and we did school in the motor home and they did it in their house.

We are so thankful for awesome, gracious, generous, and welcoming friends. I have been absolutely loving my time here. My kids are in heaven. Arin and I have been walking together each morning. Paul even talked Brandon into hiking up a mountain with him. We are thankful things worked out for us in our change of travel plans. We are praying for those who aren’t so fortunate, and can’t just pick up and move their homes in the same way we can just move our motor home out of the hurricane’s path. I can’t even begin to imagine the stress and heartache that hurricane’s bring. Praying for all involved!

Side note……we passed this crew of lineman on our drive down. I’m sure they are coming to help with the hurricane cleanup. Praying for them all as well!