Heading Cross Country

So excited...finally heading on vacation. Ryan was home from football camp by 5:30...and we literally picked him up off the bus, and loaded him in the truck. We headed over the pass, and stopped at Teen Challenge as it was the end of graduation. We took about 15 minutes...gave hugs, visited, and hit the road. We made it to Burns Oregon, and finally pulled off the road in a roadside rest at midnight...in the Stinkwater Pass. And no, we didn't smell anything. It was pretty though!  Here is what we woke to!!  We were on the road by 6am, and stopped around 10:30 (after losing an hour)  for breakfast. 

Lots of fun in the truck today.  Ryan cracked us up, first with his pillowcase over his head, holding a sign to people passing us (not that many mind you---except up the really steep hills) that said "Save Me"....then, as it finally cooled down (We got the summer we've been waiting for), he put his hand around the window from the outside like a puppet, and scare the crud out of me.  It was a great travel day....even with a small mishap.

Driving up a very steep grade....the road went to three lanes.  One guy passed us, and then pulled in front of us very quickly, slowed down, and started flagging us.....just as I caught smoke coming from the trailer tire out of my mirror.  We were right at a chain up area and we were able to pull off the road and not be just on the berm.  God sure did watch over us.  As shredded as that tire is...the rim is fine!!  Ryan and Bill had the tire changed, and were back on the road in a record 13 minutes.

Here is the rest of the tire!

 

And we were blessed with this beautiful Wyoming Sunset.  We called it a night and stopped at 9....in Rawling WYgot some dinner, I was dying for a shower, and headed to bed.  The plan is up VERY early, then a long day on the road tomorrow...so we can have a short day on Monday!  Thanks to all for the prayers.  God is listening!  He is so faithful.

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Time Passing So Quickly

Sunday, June 17th...and the last post was 40 days ago...the time it took Jesus in the desert, the time it rained on the ark...the time between Lent and Easter.  It seems that I can't keep up with this blog, with the busy life we lead!!  

News--BIG news.  Bill starts his new job with White's Electronics tomorrow morning!!  This is his third time interviewing and he has finally been hired...the first time her refused the offer (he was still at HP), the 2nd time, the company put a hiring freeze on after he was offered the position, and this time we figured was 'third time is a charm'--OR 'three strikes and you're out'!!  God blessed us and after three years and 3 months of being out of work (he did have two years of schooling under him during this time!) he is back to work.  He will still continue with the business on the side, and we will see where all of this leads us.  God has certainly always taken care of us.  This time will be no different.  

Since I started with the newest news...I'll work backwards. 

View of the golf course...and the kitchen part of the room...

View of Ocean from the room....
And of course...the room.....

Bill &I just returned home from a weekend away without kids.  Being funds have been tight, we've not had our usual 'weekend celebration' getaway's for Birthdays & Anniversaries.  This was the first in a long time, and was only made possible by a trade for a piece of restaurant equipment.  Let's say we made out with the better end of the deal!!  We had a room on the coast for two  nights...a king suite, which consisted of bedroom, two bathrooms, kitchen/living room, fireplace, balcony, all overlooking a golf course, with ocean view.  The ocean was on the other side of the road, but still a beautiful place.  To top it off, we had two dinner vouchers for the hotel restaurant...and the place was wonderful!!  Dinner the first night was 12.90, and the second 23.00...including a glass of wine both  nights for me. We had smoked prime rib the first night, and it was so incredible, I had it again last night.  Bill had crab last night..fresh from a boat yesterday morning, right out of the tank in front of our table.  We couldn't have been more blessed.  It was a great weekend, not only did we celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary, Bills birthday, but also Bill's new job.  It was a great weekend, full of sunshine, and just a great time of being together.


I've just been busy with work....heading in at 5am, and returning around 6....makes for a long day, but finally feel like we are making some headway...will see what the next few weeks brings.  Love that I have two weeks off...but worried what will await me when we return!

Arch rock

Hughes House...one of my favorite historical houses on the coast.

Ryan finished school last week, and started football the week before.  He has also finished drivers ed...and needs to get his driving test before he can get his license.  He's got plenty of hours down....just a matter of the "test".  

Kristin is still finishing home school....the beauty of home school...if you're busy...you keep plugging along until you're finished.  She is done with just about everything but math & science.  We started both new math and science mid year....and we're happy with the new stuff.  She is still working for the neighbor...learning how to be a farm girl.  She is loving the job, and feels guilty getting paid.  She also has been working from some friends, watching their five kids.  She's great with them....and what makes it better...she loves them to pieces, and they love her!

Bill has been busy getting the yard ready for the new driveway.  We put a drive to the barn last month...and this month, the county approved a driveway from the north side of the property.  Once they came out, and saw how we've had to put our trailer in the drive the last 19th years...they said...wow...you need a better access!!  So, we've moved the chicken coop, reset all the fencing, Bill has dropped 4 trees, (two more to go...but waiting for the cable company, since there are branches broken from the snow storm over the lines) , moved propane lines, and has been swamped getting things ready so he can return to work.  He will work 6:30 to 3:00...so he will still have the afternoons to get some things done before we head off for Michigan in 2 weeks.

Last weekend...Bill & I attended the Gayle Erwin Jesus Style conference.  What a great weekend.  This is one of the most animated men telling the Jesus story like I've never heard it before.  It's a must...if you can't see him live....listen to his teachings online.  HOWEVER, the face and animation is part of the package!!

After the conference...Charlie came home for Saturday night before heading to his own conference...he brought Jason from TC with him as well...we enjoyed having them both...and nice to have Charlie home, even if it was for a short time.


Two weeks until we depart.  Thankfully, our good friend is coming to stay with dogs, kitties and chickens....we'd be lost without you Jen!!   I of course will blog when time allows!!  You know with all  of us together (Tammy & Jason, as well as their families will be there) there will be lots of pictures!!


Until next time...