Home is where your story BEGINS!

Home again home again... jiggity jig! We left Eden Sunday night to try to avoid some holiday traffic (and a little heat). We drove to Anthony just inside the Texas state line and Jared and the kids slept for about 5 hrs in the camper(as much as I wanted, I couldnt fall asleep). By 8:30am we were back on the road and every mile we got closer to San Angelo, felt closer to home to me.
Jarelyn was so excited to be back in Texas! Jared told her he was lost and she said "that's okay dad I remember how to get home just keep going on this road 'til I tell you to turn on Knickerbocker":)
I would have never thought that I would be so content with my "roots" cut off, but the truth is I probably needed this "trial" in my life more than any other I have faced. I have gained so much from the "neighbors" that have come and gone here in our RV park. Some have only been here for a week others for a few months. Yesterday Jarelyn got a birthday package from Mike, Brooke, Dixie, and Rebel(a wonderful family that befriended us and has kept in touch with their continued travels)them along with a handful of other wonderful friends we have made have really helped me to see that you dont have to grow up in the same small town or your families know each other for generations to care for each other and have a lasting friendship. Honestly it seems from my conversations that all towns(more so in smaller ones)enjoy the same fame... lots of drama:) Im glad for my friends both new and old and look forward to happy memories in the future with all of them.
We are slowly finding homes for all our STUFF in our new camper. It would be so much easier to unload the old camper if everything just had a place already to move it to. There are many layouts in the RV world but I have to say we couldnt have picked out a better one for us. Having the toyhauler to use as a seperate bedroom for the kids is GREAT!
One of my favorite quotes of all time is, "home is where your story begins"... I am happy to know that and even more for the homes I have had in my life to "begin my story" in!

Would You Like to Dance?

Early(I mean really early... 2:30am to be exact) I got a text message from my sweetheart that asked if I would like to dance. A few minutes later I heard one of our favorite songs playing from outside my bedroom window. When I went outside Jared was standing there in my front yard! What a great surprise for mothers day. He drove all the way from Texas after work just to spend the weekend with me:)
The whole weekend was so enjoyable. Friday afternoon we surprised the boys and they got to stay all weekend with us! That was a real treat that words cant fully express. It was fun to see the surprise on everyones faces to see Jared with me everywhere I went. Saturday night Jared taught the kids the "fisherman handshake"- filling the house with the sound of uncontrolable laughter! Jared had to leave early to get back at a reasonable time, so we were all up by 6:30am. I didnt get the traditional Mother's Day morning of sleeping in or breakfast in bed... but I wouldnt trade it for having my little family all piled up in our bed together as we said our goodbyes and talking about how much fun we would have this summer!
As much as I love my wonderful husband days like today remind me again why all little girls need a husband and a daddy! My dad picked up a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers for me at the request of my sweet little girl!
She loves ANY excuse to get her momma flowers! Noni and Pa also gave me a beautiful locket and I swear my dad has conections with Hallmark, he always finds the perfect cards that make your whole heart smile! I cherish the miracle of being a mom and really enjoy every day, but today was one of my favorites!

Happy 80th Birthday Papa!

What an amazing man! still able to run circles around men half his age! A few of the things I admire the most about him are, He has a heart of gold, is a wealth of knowledge(even knows what an "endo" is), and after loving the same woman for over 50 years is still just as feisty as Jared:)
I am so glad that Jarelyn and I were able to be here to for a surprise birthday party with everyone. The kids all sang "happy birthday", we had yummy mexican food, cake and Grandma D's homemade icecream(my favorite, even better than Thrifty)!
I hope that if I live to celebrate my 80th birthday I am as blessed as Papa to have so many people that love me as much as we love him!