Sailing

"Kiahra, is mom around?"

"No, she said she was going to the bank to get money to buy a sailboat."

"What?"

"Maybe you should call her, dad."

A few moments later my cell phone was ringing.

It all started when Kade was checking out the garage sale around the corner.  A 10-foot sailboat was sitting on the lawn with the sail flapping in the breeze.

A boy's dream come true.

He learned to sail at boy scout camp, and since then he has been obsessed with sailing.

First he turned on the charm, as he politely inquired about the little boat.  By the time, he walked away, I think the lady would have given the boat to him.  However, a mere $50 dollars would buy him the boat.

Next he returned home with a "sails" pitch especially for me.

I had seen the boat the day before, and I had anticipated him spotting it on his way home from school, but he didn't because they had put it away already.  I mistakenly thought it was sold.

Reluctantly, I meandered over to the garage sale with my son.  The lady told me she would sell if for $35 to Kade--"He is a great kid...blah, blah, blah..."

I told her I would go get some cash, so Kade could buy the boat.

Before I was even back, the man of the house was out showing Kade all the "ropes" of his new sailboat.  He patiently instructed the boys (yes, by this time Kade already had a friend from the neighborhood ready to try sailing) and threw in a few extra items including a lifejacket and a sailboat guide.

I handed the lady $60 and told her I didn't need change.

With his dad at work, Kade was impatient to try the boat, but I told him he had to wait.  Luckily for him, his dad came home an hour later--I think he was still worried about what we were up to!

Anyway, a little silicon touched up the cracks, and soon we were loading the sailboat into the truck with a couple kayaks.

Did I mention my son said he would rather get a sailboat than go to Halloween Haunt at the amusement park with his friends?  He spent the late afternoon on the water instead.

The wind was strong.  The rudder was not working properly in the beginning, but with a few adjustments, Kade made it work.  We circled in the kayaks keeping an eye on the boys--and the entertainment was plentiful!

Cruising across the water looked so fun!

Until...

Actually the video quality is better at http://youtu.be/wHbzhBpl_xw

Flag Football

Football.  

Boys push each other around and throw a ball.  And it takes a long time when you are freezing in the bleachers.

Frankly, I did not understand the game in high school.  

Then I married a man who loves football.  I still didn't get it.  

Then we moved to Pittsburgh.  I tried harder to understand the game as my hubby and kids joined the Steelers football mania.  

I slowly started to grasp the general idea of the game.

But nothing teaches you a game like watching your son play.

#20 keeps an eye on the action as his dad lends a helping hand.

Ready to spring into action. 

Flag football requires two hand blocking.

As the cleats dig into the dirt, muscles strain and the battle is on!

His last game he had a 10 yard run and several good blocks.  He played offense on the first string.

And he came home grinning because boys like to chase the football and push each other around.

I am "getting" the concept now, but the bleacher seats are still cold.

Do not fly with me.  Ever.

At first, it may seem harmless, as the flight boards and takes off early.  We may even soar through the skies uneventfully for the first few hours.

However, the plane may be diverted due to a thunderstorm in Dallas, and then it will land in Oklahoma City and sit on the runway for nearly 4 hours.  (Yes, I know the FDA requires deboarding after 3 hours, but who wants to get off when there are no connecting flights to your destination?)

Eventually, we will be cleared for landing in Dallas, so the plane will take off again and an hour later arrive.

At this point, the last connecting flight left hours ago, and it is too late to route through Atlanta or Detroit because it will be too late to connect there either.

"The 8:45 AM flight has seats available."

That translates into 14 hours overnight at the Dallas airport unless I want to catch a cab and find a hotel.

Next option?

I check all the flights into neighboring cities: Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Louis.  St. Louis has a seat for me, so St. Louis it is.

Of course this flight is delayed another hour, but eventually it does take off.

Upon landing I find the rental car agency at 10:30 PM.  I do not get the deal of the century on a rental car, but now I no longer care.  I started this trek 13 1/2 hours ago.

Then I drive into the night for nearly 3 hours.  I have never been so happy to see my sister's house.

Thus a 7 hour flight plan translates into 16.5 hours.

So.  Do not fly with me.  Ever.

2,513

The road home always tends to be longer, as the miles stretch into the horizon, but we had one more stop that helped make the trip easier.

Home.

The familiar gravel roads where I learned to drive.  Grandpa took Kiahra out for a drive on those same roads, but she got to drive his new truck.  Enough said.

That familiar country makes my heart sing.

The sun set gloriously across the lake.

The only place that has stayed the same in my kids' world--never living in a place more than 4 years.

The hours slipped away quickly, but we enjoyed every minute to the fullest (well, except for all the laundry).

Cousins + Farm = nonstop adventure

...creating memories that will last a lifetime.





A little tractor time that elicits the reality that mom raked hay as a kid!




And the bittersweet moment when we pull out of the driveway back to California.

Our oldest daughter quietly acknowledging that as she prepares for the next steps of her journey she may not be back soon.

Looking back is not where I want to live, but sometimes looking ahead is hard, so it is a reminder to enjoy the present.  It is the one lesson my kids have learned in their journey--to sieze the moment.  They don't take moments shared with family and friends for granted.

We made it!

Several hours after we left Memphis, we arrived in Indiana, but not without a wrong turn.  I thought the GPS was wrong somewhere in Kentucky, but I got a good look at the road...twice and lost a few miles in the meantime only to discover I was wrong!

The kids were giddy about this destination.  They excitedly anticipated meeting their new cousin and the rapidly growing bug that visited us last year!

The newest addition charmed his cousins quickly, and he didn't argue about all the lovin' and totin' he got!

In the warm Indiana evening, we roasted marshmallows with little k.  We discovered she has an affinity for the chocolate bar in the smore :)  As the light waned into night, the fireflies emerged for catching and then a game of hide and seek ensued.  I think she liked her first "taste" of camping.

Jaxon chilled by the campfire with Kade.  He loved being outside!

Most of the kids...and all looking at the camera!!

It was hard to capture this bug, as she moves quickly these days!

Generally she is a blur--like in this photo, but this moment was charming to watch with the smiles and squeals of delight!

Kade wanted one more photo with his buddy--love those smiles!

Uncle Kevin also took the gang to the lake.  The day was perfect as the water sparkled in the warm sunshine.  The boat entertained the older kids (yes, even the big boys too), as they embraced the tubing challenges!  On shore the water was warm and shallow--perfect for little girls!  It was a great day!

Then...it was time to go again...this time back towards home.

A quietness settled over the Suburban for a couple hours, as good-byes settled heavily on our hearts.

Little did we know that a few days later a a pretty home on a wooded corner lot with a small lake in the backyard would catch our eye via the internet!

The Blues Street

Evening brought us to Beale street--”The Home of the Blues” in Memphis, Tennessee.  

A young Elvis Presley even frequented the high fashion Lansky Brothers Clothing store for musicians on Beale street.  Evidently, early in his career Elvis asked for credit for a fancy suit of clothes before an television appearance and they granted it...and he was forever a loyal customer.

Memphis is renowned for visits to Graceland, but instead we enjoyed the crazy sights on Beale street.

Silky O’Sullivan's Pub allowed us to dine with all the kids, and shortly after we arrived the music started and the Irish diving goat kept us entertained.

Barely home from her adventures in Portugal, Nikela relaxed in the warm, muggy evening with us!

As the sun set on the the warm Tennessee evening, the fried catfish was a favorite.  

I am glowing green in the lights, and my sister remarked, “No wonder she likes green people!”  She was referencing my rant that it didn’t matter if someone was brown, black, yellow, red or green...but that it was the content of their character.  Vacation was filled with these moments that brought laughter and wonderful memories.

In the morning we were rolling down the road again, but first a cleverly crafted boat set sail!

On the road again...

As we rolled out of New Mexico and into the Texas Panhandle we were greeted by the wide open land where the grass waved in the heat.

A small Texas town was our destination for lunch.  Roosters offered Mexican food--and I loved the guacomole!  The cook even came out to chat and ensure we were satisfied with our meal.  I miss small town America.

Evening found us in Oklahoma City, so we stopped for the night.  The humid heat almost melted us when we stepped out of the air conditioning.  Nonetheless, we ventured back into the city to dine at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar.  The fried catfish was great!

Posed on the tailgate

Later that evening we returned to the campground and a cacophony of cicadas greeted us.  The trees were buzzing so loudly that Kade was certain he could get a glimpse of the noisy bugs with his flashlight, but alas, he could not.

Then at 2 AM the thunder started rolling and later the rain began to pour...and pour...and pour.

A few hours later we were on the road again towards Arkansas.  Soon the rolling prairie hills gave way to Ozark hills.

Nearly 1000 miles later in the mid afternoon, we reached our destination on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Here the Tom Sawyer RV park welcomed us, and we could watch the boats move up and down the river.

Four great kids with four different personalities

Mom and Dad ready for dinner!

I managed to capture a great moment with the kids and their dad next to that Mighty Mississippi.

All those hours of bonding on the road...and everyone is still smiling!