Wordless Wednesday....bzzzz

"A hero is someone who has given their life to something bigger than oneself." – Joseph Campbell

Memorial Day 2019

We were so excited to have our first get together with family at the RV.  The rain from the previous few weeks, however, put a small damper on that.

Being new to RV camping and honestly, not otherwise big campers, we didn't think about the fact that all of the campgrounds would be sold out in advance. Luckily we found a spot at Camp Sabroske.  It's a very small campground but everyone there is so nice!

We got out to the campground, which was only about 25-30 mins from the house and got the RV into it's spot.  We had a TON of wood to unload, so we backed the van up to put the wood at the back of the camping spot.  Because of all the rain, the van got stuck in the 'yard'.  We were freaking out, trying to figure out a way to get out.  I'm in the van, cussing and yelling.  All of a sudden people from the campground start coming over.  They are trying to help us push it out, another brings over this massive tire from a tractor that was torn open and place it under my front tire so i can get traction.  It worked!  I got out and I was so thankful to all these nice people that came to help.

I realized that everyone knew everyone at this campground and it that was just different to me.  We were literally the only people that didn't know anyone.  I got onto the campground website and learned that it was a Christian campground.  Obviously this isn't a problem for us, however, I was cussing like a trucker earlier when I was stuck and I was just hoping no one heard me.
Also, a lot of my family was coming over and I was worried about them too, haha.  But really...I was.

When everyone got there, we had started cooking food.  It started to sprinkle, but no big deal, we were all under canopies.  And thennnn...the skies opened and and poured the hardest rain ever down upon us.  We all were racing to the camper and trying to get the food to the camper.  The rains were so heavy they immediately flooded our way to the camper and we were basically all running through mud.  It was horrendous.  Everyone was drenched by the time we were safely inside.  It was nice to have the safety of the rv though.  And for Dennis, me and the girls, we all had a change of clothes.  But omg - what a way to spend our first holiday with visitors.

Doggy Style

When we excitedly and nervously took our maiden voyage in #thepineapple, we decided not to bring Blitz along.  Since we had so much to learn and knew we would already be stressed trying to figure things out, we knew taking Blitz would only stress us out more.  His severe separation anxiety is hard to deal with on a normal day, so taking him when we're already stressed would not end well for anyone.

Since that first trip, we have brought Blitz with us every time. He actually does pretty well on the drive. During the travel, he lies right up on the dash, on his doggy bed and sleeps or chews on his bone.

In the evenings, he likes to lie outside while we sit around the fire.  If we're inside (due to the unending rain), we will go up on the dash and sleep in his bed.  When we all head to bed for the night, he jumps right into bed with Dennis & I like he does when we are at home.

One of our biggest problem is he is dog reactive.  Not in the attack way, but in the he wants to smell and play way. It's a struggle to keep him under control when another dog is walking by.

And while he does well in the RV, it's because we are with him the entire time.  If we leave, we bring him with us because I am far too frightened to leave him in the RV for fear that we will come home to this:

I know there are a few chuckles..but he has figured out how to break out of Alcatraz.  I mean...this dog is insanely powerful.
Dennis was outside building a fire a couple weekends ago, while I was taking the girls to the dentist.  I randomly received this picture from him.  This is just the screen door, but I laughed because it was like Blitz knew this is one of my biggest fears!

Ugh...

Overall Blitz is a pretty fun companion...we just really need his anxiety to get controlled.  He's on doggy zoloft and cbd oil, but it doesn't even help.  It's extremely frustrating!  Anyway, we will to continue to camp with our psycho dog unless we know we will be exploring in unfriendly dog territory.


#thepineapple #sdfamilyrvadventures

Camping is for the bird…ers…

After our one successful one night stay at Maumee Bay, we knew the park was going to be on our repeat list!  The following weekend we headed back to MB.  We found out, as we checked in, that it was Birders week. 

Apparently, it’s the Biggest Week in American Birding is a 10-day festival in northwest Ohio, "The Warbler Capital of the World!".

We thought it was super cool when the office told us about it, so we went and bought a bird feeder, seed and a pole.  It would appear the cheapest bird feeder we found sucked.  So we ended up dropping the seed on the ground.

But it was so cool to see all the beautiful birds!!  We had a Cardinal that didn’t leave our site.  There were quite a few Blue Jays, and a TON of Red-winged Blackbirds. 

On Friday, as usual, it rained.  We ended up switching sites b/c the Friday site was booked for Saturday, but our Saturday spot was not booked for Friday!  WOO!  Instead of staying one night at #119, the park let us moved to #55 Friday, so we could set up our site. 

Since it was so chilly on Friday, we didn’t stay outside long.  When we came in to watch tv and stay warm, the tv wasn’t getting any local channels.  So weird, because it was earlier.  Guess what..Dennis forgot to put the antenna down. At least he didn't forget me! *First mark against our newbie RV selves.

Saturday was nice but so cold.  We had my mom, brother, Jenny & kids over for dinner.  Jenny wasn’t feeling well and spent most of the time napping inside.  It was chilly and I ended up getting sick around 7.  I was so upset b/c we were having a good time hanging out!  The other stayed outside and taught the kids how to play Euchre. 

Sunday morning, we could hear the birds singing.  I opened the blinds in my room and we watched them fly in and out of our yard.  It was so peaceful.  We were all pointing out different things about each bird.  

Since it was warming up, we decided to stay one more night.  (Luckily MB is close to our home/work/school!). 

We did have to go to a different site, but that was fine – it was less muddy. Cai, Bry & I were setting up the site and saw a beautiful yellow bird.  After some online and book research, we found out it was an American Yellow Warbler.  Unfortunately, both times it was near us, we couldn’t get a good picture.  Boo.
But we followed it with the binoculars.

Later, as the four of us played Euchre, a girl about Bry’s age & her older brother rode up on their bikes.  The girl said “Can we be friends and ride bikes?”

The girls looked at me and I said ok – go ahead.  Off they went.  Dennis got into his hammock, I reclined my chair and we sat there in peace.  After about 10 mins, I said, “The girls didn’t take their phones.  How am I supposed to check on them?  Maybe I should go look for them.”

Dennis said, “I’m sure they’re fine…but I did just watch this Criminal Minds episode where they used kids to lure kids.”

Me:  !!!!!!! Why would you tell me this??!!

Dennis:  I don’t know.

Me: Give me the keys!

Off I went…As I pulled off of our loop, I saw a couple walking their very LARGE dogs.  As I got closer, I realized they were not dogs – they were donkey’s.  One had flowers on it’s ear and the other was wearing a lei.  Perfectly normal.

I took a picture b/c I knew there was no way Dennis would believe me!

I went down 3 of the loops and by the park – no kids.  I started to panic.  I headed back to our site to tell Dennis he was coming to help me find them and there they were, waiting for me.

Ugh…

After that, I asked them to stay where I could see them.  Too many bad scenarios were going through my head. Later, my mom said they never knew where we were.  Well…as the child that was off doing things – that was a bad decision on their part.  We did so many stupid & dangerous things!   The little girl (McKenna) was talking to me (while Dennis slept in the hammock) and I asked her if she lived close, she responded yes, 5 mins away.

She asked Bry if they could play the next day and I told her that we wouldn’t be here.  She was disappointed.  She asked if we’d be back Friday and I said maybe. 

I asked her how old she was (same age as Bry) and what school she went to. When she told me, I asked her if she knew my cousin’s son.  She responded yes, he’s in 3^rd grade, right? 

Since she "checked out" I felt much better letting the Bry play with her – haha – yes, I am insane.  When they rode bikes over to her site (a loop over), Bry came back and told me her mom was a volunteer there and they go camping every weekend. 

We were so sad to have to leave Monday morning.  We are really loving this camping thing.  Even if it’s local spots – it’s worth it.  Just being away from the house and hanging out in these parks is a lot of fun!

#thepineapple  #sdfamilyrvadventures

Serenity on an overnight camping trip

On the Sunday of our first local camping trip, the weather was BEAUTIFUL.  Of course, this is how our lives work.  We camp all weekend, with terrible rain and mud to be going home to gorgeous skies.  So we decided to see if we could camp at Maumee Bay State Park, another local campground.  Even though they were only open for their seasonal campers, they did allow us to come stay a night. 

We were in awe of the beauty there.  After spending 3 days at Stony Ridge KOA, this was like a first class resort.  

Part of it was because there were NO neighbors, so it was peaceful, but the sites were so much better.  While MB doesn't have water hook ups at their sites, there is a filling/drain station at the front of the park. 

Dennis' friends, Leo & Shawn, stopped by for a visit and had dinner with us. 

They are a sweet, young couple.  Leo was in a car accident in Nov of 2018.  He was 3x's the legal limit driving a Rav4 and crashed into 4 cars, then a utility pole and then flipped his car.  He is lucky to be alive.  He has hearing loss and damaged his right eye.  He can no longer open it.  But he's alive!! 

 He learned a lesson, the hard way, unfortunately, but he doesn't really let it affect his happy attitude.  We sat around the campfire for awhile and laughed at stories.  After dinner, they left because Shawn had to work that night.  Oh to be young again...the kid was only going to get about 4 hours of sleep and then go work a full shift at work.  Ugh...I shudder at the thought lol!

 After they left, we sat outside for awhile, until it got to chilly.  Plus we had to get up for work and school earlier than usual the next morning since we weren't at home, so we decided to go inside, wind down and go to bed.

The sunset, while the four of us played Not Parent Approved  was breathtaking.  We were so sad we were only staying one night.

We knew at that moment, we will be spending a lot of time at Maumee Bay this summer!

Snapchat Saturday

What do you do when you're camping & it's chilly and rainy out, on a Saturday?

You play with Snapchat filters!

"While the world changes, the cross stands firm."

After what seemed like the longest year in Prep (Religion), Cadence has finally been confirmed!!  The amount of things that were required to make Confirmation were painful.  I fully support the kids learning and understanding to make this sacrament, but writing a letter to our priest, answering specific points with at least 3 sentences each. 

Another paper for May Crowning, about Mary, and a 3^rd paper about the name of the Saint they chose.

It doesn’t seem like much, when it’s spread out, however, it was happening during the school year, when the kids already receive a bunch of homework.  This was in addition to various meetings and “retreats”.  Cadence doesn’t not write well and was very stressed during all the papers. 

All of the churches in the diocese hold their Confirmation at the Cathedral and the Bishop (usually) is the one doing the confirming. 

When we got to the church – it was PACKED.  There were supposed to be a total of 5 churches making their confirmation, but there were actually 9!  This happened to be on a Thursday evening (all of the others were Saturdays) and it started at 7 pm.  There were 100’s of kids making confirmation.  They all looked beautiful and of course the Cathedral itself is beautiful, but the process was TERRIBLE.  We could see nothing – I didn’t even know when Cai was up there.  I felt like I was there to stare at the back of the heads in front of me because I couldn’t see anything else.  I’m still bitter about it and it’s been over a month since she made it.

It didn’t end until after 9, which infuriated me because it was a school night and my kids had school the next day.  While the children making their confirmation, that attend Catholic schools, have teachers that don’t assign homework and understand what is happening, public school teachers do not know, nor can they work their lessons around this. 

I was so happy when it was done. In four years this will start all over with Bry, but we’ll be at a different home church AND I’m prepared.  We saved all of the papers Cai wrote.   😊

Even though I was annoyed by everything, I couldn’t be more proud of Cadence. She looked beautiful.  And Andrea, her sponsor, was so supportive.  I'm so thankful to have her in my life and to have her be a role model for my girls!