acupofheather

Arizona to Utah-mazingest!!!!

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Although we had great fun in Phoenix chillin’ like villains, we had even more fun in the coming days. Still in Arizona, we hit the Grand Canyon. I feel like this was a big milestone in our trip because it is one of the most iconic, most visited, and one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

Honestly, Shaun and I expected to get there, look out at the canyon, be in awe of it’s largness, and that be that. Once again, to our surprise there was so much more to it than that. It was sooo much larger than we’d ever imagined, so much more beautiful, and had so many different facets to it. It literally moved me to tears the beauty and overall momentous experience of our being there.

Day 1 we arrived early at the park, hit the Visitor Center for our Jr Ranger books, and decided to conquer the whole red trail of the South Rim, approximately 5 miles. It was a little brisk as we started the day but figured we have NJ blood and can handle it! Two miles in the wind picked up a lot and it became unfun. We, along with everyone else at the park, rushed to the shuttle bus lines to get the heck out to there. What we had seen and experienced already had left us pumped for Day 2.

Day 2, we got there a bit late, waited to get through the ranger check-in for an hour, it took us another hour to get the shuttle to pick up our hike where we’d left off, and by the time we arrived to our start point it had taken us three hours. So we have learned to get to the parks earlllllly!!! We finished our hike and felt great about it! We also saw a lot of elk which was killer!

img_0498Day 3 we woke to watch the sunrise. Running a little bit late, we rushed leading to a speeding ticket in the Grand Canyon by a Park Ranger. Buuuuut we made it for the sunrise and it was spectacular! After attending a fossil trek, the girls earned their Jr Ranger badges. MOM TIP: If I haven’t mentioned it before, the girls love earning their Jr Ranger badges at the National Parks/Monuments/etc…  Not only do they learn so much while we are in the parks, Shaun and I learn a lot too. It’s a great way for the whole family to learn about the place you’re in, be engaged, and collect something memorable.

We loved watching the sunrise so much that we went to watch it again Day 4. Thankfully we did so sans a speeding ticket and, again, it was totally worth the early alarm. Two early mornings led us to a nice down day. Hanging at the campground, going to watch the IMAX Grand Canyon movie (TIP: the movie is dated, like from the 80’s, and a waste of money), and some family fun card games rounded out the rest of the day.

A little insider info…we have really learned to love playing card games together and do it a lot in our evenings. Finding card games that keep Shaun entertained (yes, that’s my husband), while making sure the girls (ages 10 and 7) can grasp the concept and abilities is a bit challenging but doable. We have a few favorites, Quixx, Dutch Blitz, and Phase 10 are our favorites right now. I am also working on teaching them how to play Rummy to get to 500 Rummy which is my favorite card game and Shaun and I play that a lot.

img_0592After the Grand Canyon we ventured out of Arizona to Utah. What did we know of Utah…NADA! No expectations, real bucket list items or high hopes. With that said we headed toward the MOAB area to check out Canyonlands and Arches. I’d seen lots of pictures of Arches and knew that our pictures would be epic but other that than that’s that.

Day 1 we headed to the Canyonlands…WOW! It blew us away! We took the Grand View Point trail and the views, terrain, and overall greatness of this park surprised us in a most pleasant way. We drove through and stopped at some of the view points which were more and more breathtaking each time. Lastly, we hiked the Mesa Arch trail to see one of the most famous arches, the Mesa Arch, our first arch of the trip, and it was a definite highlight of this day. Then the girls earned their Jr Ranger badges, I bought our magnet and our post card, and we got our signature pic in front of the park sign to end the day.

Day 2 makes it to one of my top days on our journey and made me well up multiple times. We woke up our girls at 4:30am but they weren’t complaining because the Easter bunny had come. After finding Easter eggs and checking out their baskets we all dressed in hiking clothes to head to the Arches. We arrived at La Sal Mountain Overlook at 6:15am to attend an Easter Sunrise Church Service. God was most present on this Holy morning with his astounding creation surrounding us while the sun rose, singing beautiful worship songs, and being able to start the day remembering how good God is.

After the service, we drove to, ironically, a 4 mile trail called the Devil’s Garden. This trail was marked, and not mis-marked in anyyyy way, difficult. The hike itself was amazing, maneuvering up boulders, fancy footwork, and sandy slickrock was required, and we were super impressed how well the girls did. Along the path were a few arches, but most magnificent was Double O Arch. Determined to see the most iconic arch of all, Delicate Arch, we made our way to the next trailhead. Thinking it was 2 miles out and back only to arrive and find out it was 3 miles out and back, we were still going forward. Unknowing we started the 1.5 miles to get to Delicate Arch  which was a 600 foot elevation increase and there was no shade at all as it was almost all slickrock. Wiped from the first hike, now hotter out, and having gotten up at 4:30am..it kicked out butts As we rounded the narrow trail along a mountain with a very far drop down, the view of the arch made the hard work totally worth it. The hike back was a dream and I finnnnnallllly got to see some petroglyphs en route. We arrived home, yes to our home on wheels, to enjoy some much deserved Easter bunny treats and libations/lemonade and enjoy our glorious God given day. Thankful for our abilities to do what we did, free to celebrate our King of Kings, and blessed to rest together as a family living life to the fullest on this journey.

Day 3 in MOAB, aka Shaun’s favorite day, we rented an ATV and headed out to the trails. We saw some real dinosaur bones off of Dinosaur Trail, the gorgeous Uranium Arch, and had a BLAST!!! Uranium Arch was one of my highlights of the day because in the National Parks you are forbidden to climb on the arches but being out in the desert without anyone around, the girls and I climbed onto the arch and got the coveted arch picture that I will definitely treasure forever. Bahaing through the lands just the four of us, barely seeing anyone, surrounded by some of the most beautiful views, we couldn’t be happier. A lot of whooping, hands in the air, and screaming fun was had.

Day 4 we were beat! We brought the Arches Jr Ranger books to the Visitor Center, the girls received their badges, we putzed the shops in MOAB and got a yummy lunch. Unsure of one of our stops I asked the ranger for advice and he was so knowledgeable and patient. The rangers are usually a wealth of knowledge but this ranger was super. Thankfully I asked him, got his advice and went home to cancel one our reservations, made another one and did a bunch of research for our new stop en route.

This morning we are setting off to another local in Utah, which has quickly become one of our top states. However, before our departure we had a HUGE RV life fail. Our toilet overflowed in our master bathroom penetrating other parts of the RV and there was a lot of overflow! This required a Walmart stop before arriving at the next campground since I used all of our bath towels, beach towels, throw blankets, door mat, paper towels and kitchen towels to clean up the mess and a lot of extra time out of our day. Our second mishap of the day occurred when we were about 10 miles from our campground, ready to settle in and chill out. A sign stating “small tunnel ahead” appeared. After asking a ranger he said you needed a permit to go through annnnnnd it already closed for the day. Long story short we had to drive a big loop around Zion to get to our campground that took another 1 1/2 hours. I always check the campground websites because sometime they give you tips for driving a big, heavy, long vehicle but this campground failed me. We did arrive to the best site they had, the clearest, starriest night we’ve ever seen, and just peace. You live and learn and recover from the hiccups in life!

Here’s some fun normal life pix of our life this week!

New Mexico Literally Rocks

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Tuesday we arrived in New Mexico and boy were we surprised with the flatness and nothingness. At first it concerned me but as we went over a small hill in the road and saw the only thing in sight, our campground, it excited me a bit. It is serene, the sunsets are breathtaking, and so amazingly different from NJ.

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Ok so I know my last post mentioned that going to Magnolia was what I was most looking forward to and the best part of this journey for me so far. However, Wednesday’s adventure kicked Magnolia’s bum. On Wednesday we went to our very first National Park, Carlsbad Caverns. I can say that Shaun, the girls and I were excited, especially the girls to earn their first Jr Ranger badge, but we had little expectations for it.

After getting our portable radios (you punch the #s on the informational signs in as you go and it gives you detailed information on that location, sight, etc.), getting on line for the elevator, me hesitantly getting on the glass elevator, we plummeted over 750 feet into the caverns.

Most people don’t know this about me but as of late, I have been developing a fear of being in places that I can not get out of when I want to. Not claustrophobia but a form of agoraphobia. Totally laughable example, but I had an episode on The Mine Train in Disney World and my BFF Danielle had to talk me out of climbing off and exiting via the staff ladders (dead serious). Being in the small space of the elevator at Carlsbad Cavern did not bother me but the fact that I couldn’t get out of it when/if I wanted after it started. Then when we got into the cave and were told that the elevator wait was over an hour and half back up or you could make the hike out, I had to do more deep breathing because there was no quick escape option.

A few times during the experience I had to take a moment to breathe and remember how amazing it all is. And AMAZING it was! This place blew our minds, crushed our expectations and kept our mouths agape almost the whole time. The cavern was so massive, breathtaking, intricately detailed, filled with various makeups, and brimming with God’s beauty. Shaun and I took so many pictures and we all learned so much.

As I mentioned, we took the elevator down into the cavern but the line was so extensive to get up and we wanted to hike out and see more along the way. Little did we really process that you have to hike up out of 750+ feet over only one and a quarter miles…wow workout! This is how happy were when we finished climbing out, the girls earning their FIRST Jr Ranger badge, and the view from the exit.

I can’t say enough how I feel that every person that can, visits Carlsbad Caverns!

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Wednesday, we ventured to the Friends of the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Carlsbad. Probably the friendliest staff I have ever met anywhere. We got our map and off we went. Taking the mile plus hike we visited a lot of local animal life. Some were rehabilitating and some lived there. We saw a road runner, lots of desert snakes (I’d rather not see those in real life!), a cute prairie dog village, succulents of the world greenhouse, and so much more. The weather was perfect, we were outdoors in the fresh air, there was lots of learning happening and we all enjoyed our time there.

That night we met some great friends at the campground, had a huge fire, the kids and thier new friend had s’mores, and everyone enjoyed a great desert night! Thursday we ventured on out of the Carlsbad area but are stayed in New Mexico a bit longer.

***Here I was supposed to post but we were having too much fun so one big bout it is***

A quick, 4 hour, which is quick in our books these days, trip to the White Sands National Monument. So my full-timers will probably laugh at this but I thought there was actually a monument at the White Sands since it is a national monument. The learning curve is great! In case you’re wondering, there is not a monument, the place itself is considered a monument. Not quite sure the difference between National Parks, National Monuments, etc…

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The girls were so looking forward to this stop. We stayed at the Algamordo/White Sands KOA whom lent out sleds for free to their campers which was great and on Friday hit the sands. We drove into it more excited for the kids than anything. We peaked over a small hill in the road and saw the bright white dunes at the bottom of a beautiful mountain range, just lovely. We had so much fun playing, sledding, and exhausting ourselves climbing those giant sand dunes over and over again!

After we wiped ourselves out sledding (the sand is like climbing a landslide of quicksand, but totally worth it) we had a picnic lunch at the main building. Shaun then had to take a call in the truck. The girls and I went to work on their Jr Ranger badge workbooks. We watched a movie about the White Sands, toured the outdoor garden area, read all of the signage in the museum, perused the gift shop and more. All I can say here is that I learned more than I ever learned in school about any one place and it was exhilarating watching the girls sponge in the information also! They earned their badges, we purchased our magnet, and back to the campground for some dinner and needed R&R.

Saturday we visited McGins Pistachio Ranch. They have the world’s largest pistachio (love a good fun photo op!), we took a tour of the fields and the driver/tour guide taught us so much about pistachio farming that was way more interesting than you’d think, and we tasted over 20 different flavored pistachios. Early evening we returned to the White Sands for some more super fun sledding. Around 6pm we met with a ranger for a sunset hike. She taught us a lot of what we learned from the video and museum but it was beautiful to see it all in nature and with the gorgeous views.

The sunsets in Texas and New Mexico have astonished me every single night we have been in these states. I try to take pictures but they just don’t do the colors and majesty justice. We are in Phoenix now and road schooled on the way. En route I saw my first Border Patrol and Shaun laughed at how cool I thought it was (picture below). It’s warm, quiet, and there’s a great pool so we are happy! We are hoping to get to a national monument while we are here and are SUPER excited for our next stop…stay tuned!

One Month In

Last Thursday when I posted I hadn’t realized it but it was exactly one month since we left and started this journey. Time flies when you’re having fun! I think one of the biggest challenges, personally, is getting “me” time. In our sticks and bricks (that what full-timers call grounded homes) the girls would occasionally go off and do their thing, Shaun would go to the office or make a mess in the garage, and I would get some time to myself. Even if I was running errands, just being in the car by myself was time to gather my own thoughts.

Don’t get me wrong, I would not change a thing right now. It’s just a big adjustment. We are so used to in our daily suburban/Pleasantville like life having some time to do you. Shaun tells at me to get sleep but when I wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes I’m wide awake and I’ll read, Pinterest, look for a condo in Florida, etc… It’s kind of like when you have a newborn and don’t know whether to nap, eat, shower, or watch tv. Eventually the not sleeping through the night thing will catch up on me but for now it’s slightly rejuvenating to my soul.

This weekend we spent Sunday and Monday in New Orleans. A lot of people tried to poo-poo on the fact that we were bringing the kids there but people also did the same when we took them to Las Vegas and that was a stellar vacation for all four of us. Neither Shaun or myself had ever been to New Orleans and didn’t really know what to expect but we figured if it’s not appropriate or really for the kids we’ll just get in the car and head back to the campground easy peasy.

After extensive research I learned that Jackson Square in the French Quarter during late morning was the place for a family. All I can say is WOW! We had such a freaking blast! All of Saturday was well spent in Jackson Square and we never left. The cheesy chochkey shops, talented street performers, musicians, magicians, and live artists kept us busy and engaged all day, well until early evening. Both girls were part of live performances too.

Don’t get me wrong, it helped that you could get adult drinks to-go along the streets, fresh pralines, fresh beignets and hot chicory coffee everywhere also. One of the best parts was checking out some historic statues and reading up on them since people are actively trying to have these bits of history taken down and I wanted us and the girls to soak it up in case the naysayers get their way. Then we walked into a historic church, strolled along the waterway, and bought some mementos, including our commemorative magnet. As an executive family decision we decided to collect magnets from each place and/or memorable stop along the trip. Our refrigerator is starting to look lovely and makes us smile. When it gets a little more festive I’ll take a pic and share.

Monday was President’s Day so Shaun had off from work and we went back to New Orleans to see some more of what we missed and just enjoy another day in the city. We parked by Lafayette Cemetary #1 because I really wanted to check out a cemetery since they’re so famous. A tour had just started when we arrived so we had to wait for the next one in an hour and half because you are now only allowed to tour that specific cemetary with a certified guide. We decided since it was 10am to see a bit of Bourbon Street if it was appropriate.

Bourbon Street was a complete fail, let down and disappointment. I do realize that going at night without kids would have a totally different feel but when we were there it was just delivery trucks up and down the street and there was nothing special about it at all. One block up towards Jackson Square was Royal Street and the shops, galleries, and restaurants were amazing and so much more fun. We shopped a bit, yes again, and then headed toward Cafe De Monde to savor some more beignets and chicory coffee. After a family powdered sugar fight (it legit happend and the boring people next to us were not amused which made us laugh harder) we putzed the Flea Market along the river and bought some killer hot sauces and spices. Then we headed back to the car too tired to see a cemetery. I’m hoping we have time to see one of the plantations, dual purposing a road schooling lesson and see a few things a bit closer to our campground before we leave. New Orleans is about an hour and twenty minutes away so I think I’ll save anything we missed for another trip.

As our country knows and is heartbroken by, there was a tragedy this past week. While we are really enjoying our time together as a family and gathering these priceless moments it is so sad that other parents won’t have any more moments with their children or family member in the wake of a mentally unstable teen who really needed someone to hear his cries. My prayers have been plentiful this week with thanks that my babies are with me and safe. After Sandy Hook I remember dropping Natalie off to her preschool and telling her aide through tears how hard it was to leave my baby in hands that weren’t mine. I knew the women in that room would do anything for my daughter but still no one protects a child their momma.

img_9083This time homeschooling my girls is even more of a blessing right now because although I know anything can happen at any time and it’s all in God’s hands and I don’t doubt that one bit, I know that they’re safe from being at risk for a school shooting situation. I’m in no way saying that homeschooling is the answer or that it is right for everyone or that we should all jump on this bandwagon but without a doubt it puts some of my crazy mom brain to a bit of ease. Who would have thought that when these beautiful babies of mine were born that a level of crazy worry and insanity would come with their birth?!

So, on full-timing notes, my awesome husband made us a bike rack out of PVC pipe so it can be taken down and put together easily. I concocted window darkening covers out of a 6 ft roll of thick drawer liners from Target and double-sided velcro (pray Natalie will sleep in a bit please). We figured out how to use the shower in the RV. Don’t think we stank like hippies or anything but have only stayed at legit campgrounds that have clean shower facilities. Also, they have laundry facilities in case you were wondering if we are wearing dirty clothes. We are using our stove more and getting a grip on our eating out habits.

In our defense of eating out a lot, everywhere we’ve gone has had amazing food. Tennessee had down home Southern food, Tampa had fresh seafood, Crystal River had Grouper on every single menu which is my favorite fish in the world, and now here in New Orleans is crawfish and more seafood. It’s hard when you’re surrounded by food that you can’t get at home and is amazing to control yourself. Tuesday I vowed to get back on my game…so far so good!

We are here in Louisiana for a few more days and then taking the trek to Texas. I have so much on my list of things to see and do in Texas that I can’t even contain myself. We are hitting all of the major cities because Texas is a huge hub of manufactured housing and Shaun will be representing eLend all over the place. He is so committed and such a great speaker that I think Texas won’t know what hit them lol.

Giddy up for the next stop!

 

Full-timing & Fuller Hearted

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We are officially in our second week of full-timing, as it’s called in our new awesome lifestyle. The change from living in our old town, the girls going to public school and all of us being very immersed in it, to moving to a new town and homeschooling, and now to living full-time in our RV, roadschooling and with some days of just us, has been a big transition. However, I have to say that my children really go with the flow, embrace life and it has been a welcomed slowing of pace to the chaos of the past few months. img_8142

If anyone is concerned about my mental well-being after the first week from Hell, do not fret. Since I have had my multiple panic attacks, made my husband invest a small fortune in upgrading his truck, and froze in states where it’s normally warm, we have found a happy rhythm. It has still been unseasonally cold this week in Tennessee but we hiked, ate some good southern food, explored the beautiful KOA of Sweetwater, and learned a lot this week. While Shaun was working the girls and I bundled up and got outside a lot. Fresh air did us a lot of good!

Now we are trying to make the most of our space, personalize it a bit (which we’ve yet to do) and learn to make the most of everyday. One tip I’m learning quick is that if we are traveling or want to do a full day of something, we need to, and absolutely can, modify our schooling schedule (even doing some reading while still in bed because why get up). Part of this journey is to make the most of our days, and yes they need to learn and grow mentally, but exploring, wandering, and being free is also a big part of it. This is the part that we can not take advantage of when we are home, they’re in public school and there are rules to everything. I’m saying rules-schmules…LIFE is what my kids need!

This week coming up is going to be a GREAT part of our journey! We are headed to Florida to see the Pieklos, our BFFs/Family/Loves! It’ll be the first time we all bring the kids to Universal Studios where we will celebrate Shaun’s 40th. During the week we’ll get some quality time in. Then the following weekend we’ll hit Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the following day celebrate Dani’s 40th. That will be the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae because her and I are hitting the spa and we NEED it! It’s been quite the past 6 months for us both and these mammas deserve a 40th birthday celebratory BFF spa day!!!

I must admit that since Dani and the fam moved, it’s been sad for me (and all of us). I totally get why they moved and knew it was their dream so I support their dreams but am sad without them close by. The best part of our friendship is that we always get each other, think too much alike, support each other in our hair brain ideas, and back each up in our crazy, and sometimes illegal, whims. Other great parts are that our kids love each other and fight like siblings, which is pure love in the kid world. This week is going to be the best, warmest and funnest (yup a word!)!!!!

So, what happened this week past, I did our first load of laundry thus far. Let me tell you, doing your laundry once a week with three machines simultaneously is awesome! It would be less if Shaun’s clothes weren’t so God forsakingly big but he’s a giant so that is life. Then they had big dryers so all of it went into one big drier and was put away in no time. Mom win! Southern food is delicious, albeit not healthy but yummy. Long division and money were conquered in our roadschooling! Mom tackle, goal and field goal!

We went to the Cherohala Skyway and saw the breathtaking Bald River Falls. There were frozen sections and it was truly a display of God’s handiwork.

Cherohala Skyway

Tomorrow we start the two-day travel to Florida and we are all excited for the journey because the end of the road is going to be great! See y’all next week…might post after we depart on Tuesday 2/6 so I can give you the full download of our time but you never know, I might be too excited to share the fun also.

Til then… img_8104

Starting the 7 Month RV Life

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So we did it…up and left our beautiful, spacious, grounded new home and moved our family of four (+Gilmore, our dog) into an RV for 7 months. Monday morning we up and left our house, in shambles might I say, around 7:30am to make it to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for Natalie’s follow-up appointment.

Shaun took his job out on the road and is vlogging about it if you want to follow my man, Shaun Hamman , on Facebook and see video footage of some of what’s below and what’s to come?

*This is going to be a brutally honest account of my side of this adventure so far so be prepared.

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Sunday – Day Before Departure

Let’s begin on Sunday. I woke up not feeling so hot because of a fun concoction of horseradish cheese, veggie pizza, and wine the night before. However, after a few hours after waking, hydrating, and snuggling the girls on the couch, was still not feeling well to my confusion. There was no time to not feel well, it was 16 degrees out and I had to start packing up the RV. Shaun and my stepdad were outside in the cold most of the day doing the grunt work of getting the RV and truck ready like superheroes. Hours later and I still didn’t feel well, was exhausted, and oh did I mention it was my birthday, but NOT up to celebrating. I had not slept well in a few days so just chalked it up to that.

I needed a good night’s sleep. Sounded easy having been under the weather and going all day long but it didn’t come so easily. Natalie was not feeling well either. She woke up right as I fell asleep and threw up. Right back to bed we all went and half an hour later as I was starting to fall asleep again, she threw up again.  I had her sleep in my bed so I could keep an eye on her and that helped me sleep for a few hours. In the middle of the night I woke up in sweat soaked sheets and anxious tightness in my chest. That was the end of sleep for me. Those feelings and the added growing more anxious over knowing that my alarm was going to go off at 5am and the clock ticking closer and time to sleep being lost.

Monday – Departure Day

img_7952-2Morning of departure day comes and we all wake up bright and early and leave in a mad rush to make Natalie’s appointment. The anxiety follows me along our commute to Philly. Then Natalie and I go into her appointment and we hear her doctor give her the green light and say she’s healing great and I feel some relief. I instantly think that the green light from her doctor was what all the worrying and anxiety were about and I’m fine.

 

We get back in the car and I’m feeling a bit better. With a pit stop at the RV dealer because Shaun couldn’t get the furnace to work, yup and it was 18 degrees out. They said it was going to take two days for it to be shipped. Shaun, with his brilliant mind, asked if they could take it out of another RV so we could get on our way. They did it! We were back on our way.

At this point I am still feeling a bit uneasy and anxious. It dawns on me finally (mainly because my BFF pointed this out) that the fact that we’ve up and left the comfort and security of our home in our safe town and all that is familiar to us has led to this feeling. Especially after some really special farewells (pix below). How could I be so stupid as not to anticipate this feeling? Sometimes reality just sneaks up on you and bites you in the butt and this was one big shark bite out of my ass.

We were taking our time and moving along fine with an anticipated overnight at a Walmart along the way and make it to Louisville the next day for Shaun’s conference. We experienced some disconcerting shimmying going down a large hill. I thought we were overweight and being completely unsafe and then couldn’t get that thought out of my head of course. Panic begins on every downhill from there and builds.

To add to that awesome feeling, about an hour before we were going to stop for the night it started snowing but not too bad so we figured we’d go another 15 miles to the next Walmart. About five miles later it was a full-on freaking snow storm. Low visibility, roads covered, slickness starting, and me completely having a full on panic attack. My chest froze up, my arms feeling cold and tingly, my stomach a rock, my breath only coming in short bursts, and tears full in my eyes. I am not prone to feeling this way. Once in college during finals, when Shaun and I split for a bit while we were dating, with my Postpartum, and that’s about it. For me to be having these feelings for a few days and then to go into the debilitating feeling of panic was very out of context.

Shaun was so confident and calm for the first 7 miles of the 10 left to go. Then it got worse and the hills were giant and then it happend, Shaun also got nervous. His nerves are rock solid so this made my nerves hit the next level. Finally after a very slow and treacherous drive, we could see the Walmart sign. It was like a beacon of safety. After parking we ran into Walmart to use the bathroom, walked Gilmore, turned the heat on and was safe and breathing again. Shaun and I just sat there in silence recovering from the journey while the girls were excited to have time to play and move around.

Tuesday – Day 2

We wake up to a parking lot filled with snow. Shaun told the Walmart manager that we were hunkered in and not going anywhere for the day and they were beyond gracious and understanding. It’s freezing out, 6 degrees, and there’s snow covered roads so we were not risking it. All night I spent full of anxiety with only short bouts of sleep. I really thought that I would be exhausted from the trip but the worry of the roads, if it would happen again, what could happen next, and so on kept cartwheeling around in my brain. This feeling followed me well into the morning.

Mid-morning Shaun walked into the RV after his morning call for work and a few other calls and said to pack it up, we are going. My body froze. I was not going anywhere again in that weather, in that truck that was not handling the size and weight of the RV as planned, and with my babies in danger. Ready to pick up my phone and call my mommy to come and get us (yes, I am not ever above calling my mommy to save me), he said he spoke to the Ford dealer and we’re headed that way. Long part of this story short, we dropped A LOT of money on an upgrade and left with an F 250 diesel and most importantly the feeling of safety.

It was still snowing a decent amount, however the roads where we were were finally well maintained and I can honestly tell you that I had so much less anxiety. Shaun and I finally felt safe and ready to proceed with our trip. What a great blessing and relief to have our family safe and ready for the junket ahead. With a few stops at Sheetz along the way we proceeded. We stopped at a Walmart again that night because we were delayed by the truck buying process and then Wednesday morning we proceeded to Louisville, Tennessee.

Wednesday

Arriving safely, we all ran to the showers excited to refresh, change, and chill out. Shaun went off to his conference for work, I finally had the chance to make our bed (Shaun and I had been sleeping on the couch because we didn’t feel like opening the slide for our room), unpack/settle, and the girls were so excited to have some play time.

Road schooling Day 1, and an extra day of work added on from the longer than planned trip, has begun! We are hunkered in because when the Hammans arrive to Kentucky where it’s usually 50 degrees, it’s a high of 10 degrees for the day. Heat on, NJ winter clothes on, and some massive chill time was what the second half of our Wednesday consisted of and we couldn’t be happier!

Day 1 of Roadschooling
Gilmore wanted to learn too

Thursday

I am so thankful to report that we are safely, a bit more warmly, snow-free and enjoying Road School Day 2! Shaun went off to his conference again and the girls and I are enjoying another day of life as it normally is at home. After our schooling it’s going to be a movie and popcorn kind of day and I couldn’t be happier.

Summary of This Week

The beginning of this trip SUUUCKED! I wouldn’t wish that feeling or what happened to us on anyone, especially a mother of two precious children. We are all safe now and ready to continue this trip! Will there be more moments that I want to run home to my mommy, yes. Will more anxiety come with the unfamiliar places and schedules, most definitely. Is it all going to be sunshine and roses, no. img_8036Is this going to be one kick ass adventure that my family will have amazing memories from forever and ever, YES! And that’s all that matters! And that I have my new RV coffee maker up and running 

Here are three panoramics of RV interior…enjoy!

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Master bedroom

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Kitchen

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Living Area

Caffeinated and Calm in the Calamity! Buttt….and it’s a big BUT

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2 Alden Court

One week ago we closed on this gem (not the best pic but the photographer is 7 years old). Saturday we got right to work! Although we love our new house, we bought it for its good bones. As the new flooring was delivered (yay!) Shaun and I got to work ripping out the rugs. This was a bigger undertaking than I ever imagined and a lot of physical labor. I’m coining the term wife labor instead of child labor because I really didn’t sign up for this!

Thankfully the girls were just happy to be in the new house with their essentials, American Girl dolls, gymnastics mats, balance beam, Magnaforms, bikes and their new love, which was so very graciously left for them by the previous owners, a piano.

Packed in with the “essentials”
Pianists in the making

Then around midday, my mom aka “Mushy”, came to take the girls for a sleepover. This was such a blessing because Shaun and I powered through the cutting, ripping, rolling, and throwing the rugs and pads out our bedroom window. There was sooo much dust I could not believe it! We had to wear face masks almost the whole time. By the time we were done I could not feel my fingertips and the bottom of my feet were completely swollen.

The pic below is about 2/3 of what we ripped out. After, we went back to our boxed up house, scoured for food and passed out exhausted. The next morning we returned to our now carpet free home and started pulling out staples. Oh, I know this is an invigorating life I lead (insert sarcasm overload)! After that, the girls returned, we ate, they played some more, and got ready for a typical Monday.

2/3 of the rugs OUT

This particularly vitalizing Monday for me involved a 7:45am meeting, caffeinating, packing, inspector #1, packing, inspector #2, picking up the girls, homework and snack, caffeinating, inspector #3, dinner and crashing in bed.

The original plan was that Friday the movers would come and start Day 1 of the big move. Friday night we have our town’s Trunk or Treat. Saturday is Day 2, the last day, of the move. Sunday was emptying and organizing some kitchen boxes. Monday was the BIG DAY! The closing on our house in BT. The girls last day, and what a fun way to have a last day at their school, will be Tuesday/Halloween. For trick or treating we will enjoy our last Halloween on The Lane with all of our people.

BUTTTTTT plans change and we roll with it. The closing was pushed back a bit. The girls will go to school until NJ Teacher’s Convention week and the movers will also come then too. The silver lining, lemonade from lemons, break in the clouds is that the flooring should be done before we move in and potentially some painting, electrical work, more too.

So for now, we are cracking the tape on some boxes to get some essentials out, but not unpacking anything and the girls will remain in school. We continue to work on the new house and live a little in both places. I vow to continue to remain caffeinated and calm in all of the calamity!

I did get to enjoy coffee by myself Sunday morn on my deck aka my new fav place!

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Morning on the deck

Here’s a beautiful picture of driving to Home Depot for the 3rd time in one day

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Beautiful drives

Only Two Freaking Weeks and One Day

I know that this post will sound a lot like the last but my life is a repetitive reel right now. Wake up, caffeinate, get kids off to school, caffeinate, pack, eat, pick kids up, homework, pack, eat, try and chill out, sleep and do it all over again. The new news this week is that Natalie, my oldest, is turning TEN YEARS OLD!!! How the heck did that happen?!?!

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Baby Natalie

This baby pictured above had her 10th birthday party today, she will have her first sleepover tomorrow (because I required her to be ten years old before she could have one), and Monday, her actual birthday, we are playing hookie and going to have a day of fun. A true Hamman girl birthday celebration lasts for days, revolves completely about her, and is awesome! Her birthday party was at this great little creative place called the Culture Cabin in Boonton, NJ. Erika Domanico is the owner and hosted the party where the girls made super cool dream catchers. After crafting up a storm, they had pizza and cake, then went outside to the fun outdoor space. Their is ring toss with fun colored antlers, corn hole, a little play house, hoola hoops, and so much more! I can not say enough great things about this place and highly recommend it for birthday parties, girl scout troops, ladies nights (you can bring snacks and libations), there’s a store downstairs you can go and shop for great gifts, and more! (No I am not getting paid for this plug. It’s just a cool place with a great owner!)

Me and my birthday girl <3
Her and her awesome friends

Also, this week I substituted for a day with my favorite class at our school, the Preschool. They hold a soft spot in my heart because Natalie was in the class for two years, the teachers are ridiculously amazing, and I worked in the classroom full-time for an extended time. The school knows I can’t say no to helping out in that classroom…I’m a sucker lol. However, the one day I subbed this year there was a bomb scare. The first ever since we’ve lived here. I was really happy I was there to help with the class that knows me and I can be a help to comfort, especially since the ages are from 3 to 5 years old. It was a bit scary as a parent of two kids in the school but reassuring because both of my girls were within 10 feet of where I was standing. My husband was my knight in shining armor because I text him to pick up our girls so I knew for a matter of a fact that they were safe and he immediately left work. All in all the school, police, and RVS staff did a stellar job during the whole evacuation and some of the staff without knowing what was happening. It actually makes it harder leaving because I now know without a matter of doubt that my children, at their school, are as safe as they can be in other people’s hands.

Onto home life, I can not stress enough how much packing is happening and still needs to be done. This even after I purged all summer long and continue to sell and throw things away. I wish I had a fairy wand to just make stuff disappear. Our garbage men must be completely sick of us by now and think that what we pay for our service is not near enough. It’s also amazing to me how you’re supposed to pack/prepare for moving your entire life and still maintain cleaning, laundry, cooking, school, activities, etc… The purging has been super therapeutic though and like a security blanket for my emotions.

Shaun may not agree with the emotional part. He gets the Heather who cries, hysterically at times, over stupid commercials, taking pictures off of the walls, finding mementos, remembering certain milestones in parts of the house and realizing I won’t be able to relive it there again and the list goes on and on and on. Last Monday was the last Spirit Day the girls will ever attend at their school, this Tuesday is the last birthday celebration they’ll ever have there, soon the Halloween celebrations will be over, we’ll be moving on and it won’t be our home, hometown, neighborhood, etc… anymore.

I’m positive that there will be things, moments, celebrations that I won’t be able to imagine living without in a year from now in our new home, hometown, neighborhood, etc… However, for now, I can not imagine replacing all of these things I am so fond of with new. In short, I’m a highly caffeinated hot mess and not afraid to admit it!