Derek and I have been looking forward to this moment for over a year and we finally did it!!!
We got a new rig! We are beyond excited about this major step in creating amazing adventures for our family. It is absolutely beautiful. We drove to Florida last week to pick it up and bring it home.
Our trip was fast and furious because we drove to Florida (9 hrs), picked this baby up, then drove home. Derek spend all day 8am-4pm with the buyer learning all the ins and outs of the 5th wheel. All the campgrounds were full (I called 6 different places) and they were all full, so we decided to head home. We made it halfway and spent the night in a Cabela's parking lot. It was so much fun. I think we were all just so excited to finally be in the rig. The girls begged if we could stay another night because the wanted to sleep in the rig again.
We have been watching youtube channels and planning this moment for over a year and it finally happened: WE ARE OWNERS OF A RIG!
One thing that cracked me up with the seller, he said to me, "It is funny how people usually work their way up with the size of their rig, but you are going big as you can get." The Texas Motto is GO BIG OR GO HOME! He doesn't know the BIG ADVENTURES we have in store with our family of 7!
Derek was a trooper with his foot. He had to hop around on one foot to learn about this rig. He was ready to sit in bed and rest. This picture is 7 days after the accident.
I don't know if we shared yet, but Derek broke his foot and tore a ligament.
While Dad was learning about the rig and truck, we found a park that was so much fun. It had a workout station for kids, a fun pond, and a great walking path. We found some ducks and turtles in the pond, so we took a quick trip to the store to buy some bread to feed the ducks. It was also super hot and so we got a treat to cool a down. It was so fun to hear and see the excitement from the kids as they fed the animals.
We have been learning Spanish as a family and I asked the Spanish Branch President if we could start coming to the branch. It was interesting to go to a meeting where you understand 1% of what is said. The biggest advice given for learning a language is to immerse yourself. So we have been going to the Spanish branch, listening to music, watching Coco and Frozen 2 in Spanish, watching/reading books. We also have a tutor come to our house once a week.
Derek's current life
He is using a scooter to get around and COVID.
He has had a good attitude about this obstacle. The basics of life are difficult, but his attitude is strong. I am so impressed with him.
Derek's high school friend Jason Durfey was in Lufkin for work and spend a morning with Derek golfing and going out for lunch. Derek had a great time.
Right after Derek hurt his foot. He was exercising in the park and landed on it wrong.
Saturday Morning stroll
Dance recitals are in full swing in the Williams' home. They all do dress ups. Emmett is hilarious because he will dance like he is shooting a gun. We only have girl dress ups and so this is what he gets. Yesterday I went to Target and Walmart to buy him some super hero dress ups, but they didn't have any. He might have to wait until Halloween.
Spanish study during breakfast.
We enjoy having Nancy over to teach our family!
She has done some fun activities with us. The biggest hit is doing Latino dancing while we say the alphabet. She says it so fast, we are trying to keep up with her.
Haircut
There is a rule at our doctors office where you can only have an appt for 2 kids at a time. I had to get special permission 6 months ago to get all 5 kids at one appt. Well Derek had to see a different doctor with the other 3 girls, while these 2 got shots. I am glad we could get them in one appt.
After the appt we went for a walk in the SFA gardens. It was beautiful. Then we ate lunch and headed to a hair appt for all 5 kids. It was a busy day for the kids.
We said goodbye to one of our favorite families in Lufkin. This is Sable's family and they got called to be mission presidents in AZ. We are going to miss them, but plan to go visit them sometime in the next year or two. We are excited for their next journey! They are like our family away from family. We will miss them. They have been nothing but sweet and kind to our family.
I have been so impressed with how these teenagers love on our kids and make them feel so special.
Robin was telling Ashlyn all the things that she loves and admires about Ashlyn. She told her that she was her favorite primary kid she had in her class.
Me sneaking up to take a picture of them wrestling and playing together.
Surrand wrap the kids together. It was all fun at first and then when Ashlyn and Brinley were together, they feel over and Ashlyn hit straight to the floor. She got hurt and her nose was swollen for a few days. She was so brave.
Learning to ride a bike
Labeling items in the house in Spanish.
We love the homeschooling curriculum that we are using called The Good and the Beautiful. Ashlyn's lesson was about Switserland and she drew a picture of the Alps as part of her lesson.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
We are so lucky to have the best dad ever! He truly makes our lives full of fun, laughter, and adventure. I love how much time he loves to spend with the kids. Family is his #1. We feel so spoiled with how much time we get to spend with him. I have even had a greater appreciation for all the he does for us since he broke his foot. He hasn't been able to do a lot around the house and help with the kids, and it has made me realize how much he helps me out.
WE LOVE YOU DADDY!!!
Brinley gave Derek a foot massage and he about went to sleep it was so great.
Derek and I have fallen in love with Bath and Body Works candles. They have a huge sale once a year and I buy all my candles for the whole year. We were on our last candle from last year, so the timing was perfect.
Ashlyn and I did a date smelling all the candles and picking out the flavors that we love. She even smelled a few and said, "This one reminds me of Grandma Martinson." ha ha.
I love this helper of mine.
Brinley got a date with Daddy and they went to Target because Brinley has been saving all her money to get something from Target and it is make-up. They got a smoothie and Brinley did her make-up in the car.
Desi got a Date with Daddy and they went to a new frozen yogurt shop in town. They did puzzles and games before they got their ice cream.
Claire wanted to go to the same place for her date. She was so excited to get ice cream. We did a few errands before and she wanted to listen to a kid's podcast, which I didn't like because I love to talk and be without music or distractions during our date. Well I finally gave in after every question I was ask her, "Can we listen to the podcast?" Then I realized... this is her date. If she wants to listen to a podcast together then we are going to listen to it together.
It was so fun to be with this cute girl.
This is the spot where Derek hurt his foot.
We went to the park where Derek got hurt because it has workout stations throughout the park. We went to each station and did it as a family. It was a fun Saturday morning activity. Everyone was really into working out together.
This girl is impressive! She did a pull-up all by herself. She is so strong!
One the walk, the kids all gathered flowers to put on dad's scooter.
He is so loved!
After our workout, there were these trees by our car and the kids pretended that they were their houses. It was so cute. I love their imaginations. They are teaching me more and more about the importance of being present and enjoying the moment. I am currently reading/listening to a book and podcast that is all about being present and mindful. I feel like Derek and I have been studying this concept for 6 months to a year and I feel like I am just beginning to understand and get the bigger picture of the importance of this principle. My mind is blown away and I am excited to learn more and practice it more.
