June 28th 2009

{Photos: Ron; Ruthilyn; Tiffani & Sammo; Jonah; Sammo}

This was the first day of our 6 week adventure! June 28.09. Chris(our friend/boss) likes to be efficient and 'kill two birds with one stone', so he scheduled his business trip(with Ron, another friend) at the same time as our trip to Cali. Their trip was only to last a few days, and ours 6 weeks. The 'second bird' is giving my hub some experience pulling the 35' RV with Chris in the truck to throw out any concerns Steve may have about pulling this monstrosity of a vehicle for 6 weeks!

The three guys rode together. My dear sister, Tiffani, accompanied us on this trip to provide us with a babysitter(and to get a sane break from family), so she rode with me! We split the up the boys to get a taste of what it would have been like had we only had one child, and although the quiet ride was nice, it can never happily replace the rambunctious boy-noise that comes from having lots! Jonah went with the guys, and Sammo stayed with us!

I've tried terribly to enjoy driving, but unless there is a stick to shift, I'm afraid that I'm rather bored by driving and it lulls me to sleep, more often than not. (That's why I'm a writer and not a driver!!) Anywho, a while into our drive my sis and I were having quite a difficult time keeping my eyes on the road, so I radioed the guys with the two-way, calling in for back-up! Ron was fantastic and traded me places right away! I slept in the backseat of the guys' truck(in rather odd, uncomfortable positions) while my darling sis lent her ear to Ron's chatter! [Those of you who know Ron, know he does not chatter, and are laughing at this thought!] After a couple hours of very beneficial sleep, I was primed and ready for the long haul, or rather...what was left of the haul! We arrived in Reno and slept for the night!

The following day is recorded under 'Monday, June 29th, 2009' further down on this blog! Happy reading! ~Mama Sparks

Summer of 09

So, it's been a while to say the least! A lot of life has happened since I last wrote! I'll try to fill you in without overwhelming you!

The last time I filled you in was in June!! JUNE!!!!!! It's October now!! I need to make some sort of commitment right now to post at least once a MONTH! Maybe then, my following will grow!! This is ridiculous!! Ok! I'm done! just had to get that out! Now I can begin again, fresh and new!!

In May the Lord sent me an invitation to give up sewing! In June I said 'yes', and you can read about it here! [Just a little info that I found really helpful...right clicking the link will give you opening options such as opening link in a new tab! When you are as non-computer-savvy as I, these tips are things to dance about!]

It was also in May that my hub shared the news that we were going to be gone for 6 weeks straight and that we'd be traveling like carnies for two years! (That '!' was birthed from Sarcasm and a smart guy named Alec.)

We left for our 6 week adventure in June. July flew by and we were back home by the second week of August! I'll be adding pictures to the blog, to tell this story, soon!

We were home for four weeks and back on the road quicker than we could believe! September 9th we drove to SLC for a fair, and returned home the 21st. Home never looked so good! ...or smelled ...or sounded ...or felt so good!! ...it even tasted the best it's ever tasted! (Yes, I stole a lick once the kiddos were back inside, out of sight. No worries-I have not taught them how to read quite yet, so my secret is safe... for a while anyway.) This was officially the worst, which then makes it the longest, trip to date!! It seemed like two y e a r s. So bad, in fact, that the boys and I (mostly I) opted to sit the next week's show out! With that, Steve was home for a week, and then off to Sacramento, alone... We [happily] bid him farewell and waved like madmen (again, mostly me) as he drove out of sight! With three less travelers and no diapers to change, his trip was shortened by two days, and he was home in a flash!

{All this talking has dried my throat. *sip* Ahh! That's better!}

We leisurely enjoyed the following two weeks together, and again decided that the boys and I would stay home for the next show. Which is happening now. As I write this. And is only a two day show!! My hub will be back home before we wake on Sunday!! And just in time for church...if we went to a normal church. But then we'd have to be normal.

So, there it is. Well, not really. But most of it, anyway. That's how our summer of 09 flew by(and druuuug on).

There is also more about how I really began to focus on my writing and how I created a website with the help of my friend, David! Please, do not waste your time reading it. (Unless you are enjoying a cozy cup of joe or a delightful glass of wine!)

Thank you for reading my life; at least the parts I choose to share with you, anyway!! I'll add photos soon..and will post before the winter sets in!! ;)
~Mama Sparks

Stepping back for a look, I can see that this is a bit overwhelming, and I have an impulsive urge to apologize. But then I smile, because I realize that you have just got a real taste of me! I am often overwhelming!!! Cheers!!!