Moving, Schmoving!

Seven states in three days

OK boys and girls, what could be more fun than moving across country with a car full of little people?

 A root canal? Irritable bowels in rush hour traffic? Maybe.

The process involves planning for unforeseen delays, mood swings,

public restrooms, car sickness, not to mention keeping the kids entertained and well rested.
This is quite a tall order for this pooped-out mama!

But- it is what it is, and you may as well make the most of it.
The theme for the move was just  keep moving!
Before we jammed our clothes, crossword puzzles, and juice boxes into the van,
Gabe and i had one last bit of vital business to attend to.

Star gazing. It was a great night for it, too.

- I found where he left his mark...

There was a very tearful first hour in the car. But eventually, things settled down and we

just watched the landscape quietly change out the window...

(map reading activity for the kids) 

Working on  longsuffering for me, includes living amongst day old banana peels...

I documented the time because at this moment I turned the radio on (something I never do since we brought the ipod), only to hear a station playing a recording of the New Testament. Specifically, John chapter ten, which is a chapter of scripture that I have clung to- especially this month. 

Handy.

Time Zone Resource:

Quite possibly the longest leg of the trip was Friday, which was the day we woke up in Montana (Billings) And went to sleep in Minnesota. This was a beastly ride. It started off pretty good, with us leaving the hotel by six-thirty, early enough to make the kids sleepy for a mid-morning nap. But sometime during the nap, Princess woke up with an upset tummy and spent the next hour projectile vomitting--all over everything. Detour: Sheridan, WY

Once we got her all cleaned up and bundled her in with a sippy cup of Pedialyte, we ventured off to South Dakota. The immediate goal was to allow the kids to sneaka  peak at Mt. Rushmore. This was a wise move. At this point, everyone was in need of a diversion, so this did the trick. We didn't stay super long, but it was good to read up on some history with the kids, and stretch our legs. 

Change of scenery in MN. (taken at the MayoClinic)

AND SPEAKING OF CHANGE...

Twenty bucks in toll$. Definitely NOT used to that!

Homestretch...

I remember being bull rushed with a million emotions seeing this sign. The first being joy, since we were almost at home base; then worry...will we like it and fit in? How will we serve the LORD and our city?

 I remember feeling hopeful for the kids and their future full of possibilities, and curiosity- to drink in the surroundings. Sadly, when we pulled into our final stop it was dark, so we had to wait till the next day to get a sense of what our new town looked like.

Summary: I choose the word: "down-homey." Actually- I'm not even sure if this is a real word, but

still....

 We have suburbs! And even better, we having loving and supportive friends. So in that sense, we made it! And although we finished the driving part of the journey, we understand that in many ways, this process is just beginning.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.