October 4, 2026-The Month of Camping: trip 1

(Click for today's pictures)

Robby and I were up early so we could head home to get ready for church. We were able to get ready at church and wake up Whitman and Keaton. Even though we left a bit early, Robby had to run to 2 different gas stations. He did drop us off on the way so we were able get into the church house on time.

I had worship care, and gracious those little babies were all heavy today. My bad shoulder is even worse tonight! After church, we had our Sunday lunch at Grannymom's house. She had roast and potatoes which we had not had in a long time.

We visited for a while, and then we came home. We changed clothes and got the dogs before heading back to the campground. This afternoon we sat around and talked with the Wilsons and took the dogs on a few short loops. 

Then it was supper time-Tony and Shannon heated up all of the leftovers, and everything was still very good. The bugs were not very good tonight-there were tons of gnats everywhere. Thankfully, we have a bug light in the camper so the 100 or so that got in the camper quickly met their maker. Plus those that didn't, I sprayed with bug spray.

I decided at the last minute to come home tonight because Keaton has to go and babysit super early in the morning. I came in the house and started talking to the girls, and since then I haven't really done anything else. I should be getting a few things done to get ready for tomorrow, but that my not happen. 

October 3, 2026-The Month of Camping: trip 1

(Click for today's pictures)

Robby and I slept pretty well last night thought I did wake up a few times. Once I did have trouble going back to sleep, but that mostly stemmed from not being able to pull the covers around me because Marley was hogging my blankets.

We took a short walk with the dogs before joining the others for breakfast. Tony and Shannon has all of the breakfast items ready to go next door so we showed up at just the perfect time. Soon after that, I started playing mahjong, and that is pretty much what I did for the rest of the day.

Robby and Tony ran to Walmart, and while they did that I walked the dogs separately. However, other than that it was mahjong all day long! And it was nice-though I did tell Robby that I think I have almost played enough for a few days. I definitely won't need to play any games on my computer tonight!

This afternoon Robby and I walked the dogs for a little bit over 2 miles. Then we came back in and had a short nap. After that, it was time to join the others for supper. I had made potato soup, and it was pretty good. My favorite soup tonight was the white bean chicken chili. 

We watched the ballgame while we were eating supper. The ballgame didn't go well, but that was fine because they were not playing at home, and we couldn't win any chick fil a. When we had had enough of the ballgame, we went on the walk and made it back to the camper around 9. 

October 2, 2026-The Month of Camping: trip 1

(Click for today's pictures)

I woke up a few times last night with it lightly raining, and it was pretty perfect. Though when I finally did wake up to go to the bathroom it was 7, and it was still raining. We were able to lay in bed for a good while-Robby was having to work though.

Then we did get up to take the puppies on a walk. They were both being very patient, and Bentley could have stayed in the bed quite a bit longer. We walked about a mile, and then when we came back we started waking up Keaton and Whitman.

It didn't take them long to get ready. We then drove around Pinnacle, and Keaton and I ran in the visitor's center. Next we stopped at a post office to mail off some packages before driving by 7 Brew for Keaton a drink. Finally, Robby and Keaton picked up their birthday bundt cakes. 

Then at home, we dropped off the kids and started a load of laundry. I think that Keaton and Whitman were looking forward to a quiet night, but Campbell came home for a bit after work and Graham is also home for the night too. 

Campbell has been searching for a dress for homecoming for a few weeks now, and today a dress came that she likes! She sent me a picture of it, and you can tell by her smile that she is pleased! She also had a paycheck at the house so of course she was going to stop by. Graham is home for a concert tonight, and then he will see Brooklyn tomorrow before going back for more Tunes practice. 

When we made it back to the campground, I soon found myself playing Mahjong. I played quite a few games this afternoon and never once won! But I had a lot of fun! Soon supper preparations started happening despite the misty rain. Hopefully, there will not be any rain tomorrow.

Supper tonight was loaded fries which I ate way too many off. I did start on my sticker book today, but I didn't finish a picture nor did I read much of my book. There is always tomorrow though.

October 1, 2026-The Month of Camping: trip 1

(Click for today's pictures)

Campbell and Keaton left this morning to work at Mother's Day Out. This left me all by myself at the house, and I worked! I had already accomplished quite a few things from my list by the time that they left and was about to put my dessert in the oven.

I definitely couldn't work that hard every day in the house, but by 9:45 I left to run to Walmart, the post office, and to walk the dog that Campbell is house sitting. Campbell today was getting paid for house sitting while she was at work at church plus while she was there she lined up a babysitting gig for Saturday. That girl is a pretty hard worker for sure-or at least she is bringing in the money!

Keaton also lined up another babysitting gig while she was at work today. The last time she worked at the house, she was paid well. Possibly I need to line me up some baby sitting gigs as well.

As soon as they came home, I was ready for some entertainment-I was getting a bit bored. Robby and Whitman had spent the morning leisurely in the camper. Campbell went to her house sitting gig, and as soon as Keaton packed we headed to the campground.

Robby and Whitman were in the camper so Keaton and I found spots and joined them. I worked on my book-I was able to finish it tonight. It was super long so I was glad to finish. We ate supper with all of the Rock Creek campers this evening. Keaton and Whitman did some out to grab their food, but Whitman was quick to go back in the camper after he grabbed his plate. 

Whitman did later ask why we only go places with people over 50. I quickly reminded him that I am not yet over 50!

September 30, 2026-The Month of Camping: trip 1

(Click for today's pictures)

I did school with everyone this morning. It was a bit hectic because lots had to be done today, but I think that we were able to accomplish most things. Whitman was happy to do his school work today because Robby offered to him to go camping tonight so he jumped at the chance to miss church tonight and miss school tomorrow. He didn't even care that I made him do a little bit extra school. 

This afternoon Robby and I went to a funeral. It was so crowded that we sat in the gym/overflow with at least 250 other people. The amount of people going to the funeral even caused traffic to be bad going there. After the funeral, Robby and I ran into Walmart and Sams to pick up a few things for this weekend.

Then once at home, we scrambled trying to get Robby, Whitman, the dogs, and the camper off to Maumelle. They left just a minute before Campbell and Keaton left for church. As soon as they left, I left right after them.

Tonight was fun because the kids are singing in church Sunday. They are singing two hymns with another song in between-and I'm in worship care so I'll miss it. I'm glad that I did get to hear it tonight though. After church I picked up some ChickFilA sandwiches that were about to expire from our apps. 

I then came home, sat for a few minutes to eat my supper, and then I started to work. I had a pretty long list of things to do. Plus when Campbell came in, we did a quick section of her math. Then I had Campbell and Keaton catch up on some chores. Campbell said that we could see our house because it was so clean-I don't plan on selling, but I do plan on some more cleaning tomorrow. 

Now, I'm going to start on the laundry and head to bed!

September 29, 2026

(Click for today's pictures)

• This morning we started right on our school work. Well, Keaton did sleep in a little bit. Campbell said that when Keaton did wake up, she immediately woke up Campbell. This would have normally been a good thing, but Campbell had already told me that she was going to sleep in a little bit this morning. She usually works on Tuesday mornings, but today she was not on the schedule.
• Campbell spent a good bit of her time today working on the act. She took the whole test today, and for some reason she made a great score. I hope that when she takes the test next time, she just scores 1 point higher than last time. My reasoning is if she can score one more point each time every time she takes the test, then she will do just fine. However, if she scores what she did today, then we will have ourselves a party.
• This afternoon the kids and I loaded up to go and see all of the OBU kids. We picked up Grannymom, Nonna, and Pops and headed down to Arkadelphia. We went to Graham's room first to see his room. Of course, his room is the smallest so it also felt the most cluttered. He was proud to show it off to the grandparents, and his suitemates were there as well.
• Graham had to go and play a pickleball game so we went to Anderson's room. Nonna and Pops had already seen his room, but it was all picked up. We delivered Anderson the most things-gatorade, water, pumpkin muffins, and sourdough bread. Graham just had water and gatorade, while Reagan just got water, watercolor paper, and 2 necklaces.
• Next up, we stalked Reagan until she was finished with her tutoring. Then we picked her up and took her to room. There we got the tour of her room. Her room is super cute and styled adorably. When we left Reagan's, we met everyone plus Lena at the nearby Mexican restaurant.
• I had forgotten that it was Taco Tuesday, and I had no idea that everyone would be at the restaurant. It was completely packed, but we did get our food really quickly-though Grannymom and I split something, and we definitely didn't get what we had ordered!
• It was all still good though, and our little outing to Arkadelphia was absolutely perfect. It was good to see all of the kids and spend some time with everyone else on our drive. And of course, we stopped at Buccees on the way home where everyone got a treat.
• As soon as we came home, Campbell turned around and left to go to a friend's house while Keaton ran up stairs to watch a show. Whitman has even convinced Robby to take him camping tomorrow...I think that maybe Whitman was very gung ho about this idea because not only would he miss Wednesday night church, but also he will miss a day of school. 

September 28, 2026

(Click for today's pictures)

• It was a nice Monday morning, and even though I was running a bit behind waking everyone up and getting the dogs to potty, I still managed to start school somewhat on time. After I read with Whitman, he took a huge pile of things upstairs to work on and didn't come down until lunch.
• Campbell worked on her math homework-it was quite a bit so we had to finish when she made it home from work. Thankfully, it wasn't hard; it was all just long. Keaton seemed to zoom through her school work.
• This afternoon I made a loaf of brown sugar cinnamon sourdough bread. I didn't bake it until tonight so I can now smell it cooling. I also made some pumpkin muffins before taking my afternoon walk. Plus I played a short game with Whitman-I guess that I had pretty busy this afternoon. 
• This evening we all ate some type of leftovers to help clean out the fridge. Then I sat on the couch for a while playing mahjong on my computer. Now, I think that I might have some ice cream or some hot chocolate...or both!