Journey to the outer edges...

I have been out of commission this past week.  We have been on vacation in beautiful Fort Morgan, Alabama.  There was no internet service and very little cell phone service.  We were living life like in the good ole days...no interruptions, no distractions.  It actually was really great.  We left Sunday morning headed out.  Whew, I never realized how much it takes to travel with four children.  Our vehicle was loaded to the max and even more. We were psyched about getting away for a few days for sure!
Of all of the places on earth, the beach is my favorite and it is hard to compete with the beaches on the Gulf Coast.  I know that there has to be beaches in Heaven.  It is such a serene and peaceful place.  The waves crashing, the sea breeze, the smell, the bright sunshine...it is all a lull. I love to read on the beach.  I love to think on the beach.  I love to play with my kiddos on the beach.  I love to wander around in the ocean and find various kinds sea life.  I don't love sea weed, which was in abundance this year.  It taints the smell of the beach and tangles in your feet and legs.  It however did not stop us too much.  Once you got past it, the water was crystal clear and so refreshing.  We chased fish and fish chased us.  There were even sting rays and jelly fish...Those we did not chase.  Jamie and Jay both got stung by a sting ray.  Those little boogers hide in the sand and unless you are really looking, can't be seen. 
We had a very relaxing and uneventful week until Friday morning, when Cooper decided to slip and fall thus busting his eyebrow open.  It required six stitches.  He slipped out of a chair and hit his head on a glass top table.  I knew when I heard the hit that we were in trouble.  I didn't want to go look but knew I had to.  Sure wish I had just let Jamie look.  I got a little woozy there for a minute.  Jamie scooped him up and we jumped in the car immediately.  Thank God Rachel, Josh, and my mom were there.  The stayed with the other kiddos.  Fort Morgan is an awesome place.  That being said, It is 20-25 miles outside of everywhere.  The closest doctor is about a 25-30 minute drive.  We made it in less than 15 minutes.  Coop gave us quite a scare.  He started throwing up and trying to go to sleep on the way to the doctor.  It was just his body's way of dealing with his injury and nothing more though.  We took him to an urgent care facility and they got him back immediately.  His stubbornness kicked into overdrive when they tried to stitch him up.  There were three nurses and Jamie and myself holding him down and all of this after he broke free from the papoose. The PA that stitched him was wonderful and so patient.  She trained with a plastic surgeon and pretty much assured us that Cooper would have little to no scar.  That is pretty incredible considering the gaping wound I had to turn away from several times.  We were in and out of the doctor's office really quick and then took Cooper to get a toy to play with since he could no longer submerge his head in the ocean or pool. 
Friday was also Jay's 10th birthday.  We took him to the Hangout Friday night for his birthday.  What a cool place that was.  Jay really enjoyed his birthday after our rough start. 
Saturday was leaving day and while I was glad to be going home, I was sad to leave.  We made it home between 1:30 and 2:00 am Sunday morning. Yesterday was all about resting and getting ready for our first day of school today. 

So as the journey of vacation and summer comes to a close, the journey of our second year of homeschooling begins.



Much love,