May 25, 2026-Beach Trip-3+3

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We slept wonderfully well last night. Well, kind of wonderfully well. Marley started barking when we went to bed; she heard Robby and me coming and going to the bathroom. Then at 4 when we made our bathroom runs again, she started fussing again. And then at 7:30 like usual, she again started whimpering.

Thankfully, none of those time did she bark and whine for long. I have read articles about dogs Marley's age decide that they don't like the crate and become fussy in their crates. Tonight I think she will sleep even better, not that she has done anything, but because our back air conditioner will be on blocking some extra noise.

Marley hasn't done anything today except for ride in the car-let's pause here to talk about how terrified she is of everything. Riding in the camper scares her if she is up front, loud noises scare her, the rain, and even the sand scared her when she first stepped on it. She will need therapy after this trip. After we got here, I just let the dogs walk around on their long leashes while we stood around. It was raining then so they were soaked. Robby brushed them and dried them before coming in, but it was so noisy with trucks and campers rolling by and even the trash truck. She could not get in this camper fast enough.

It was about 9 when we left Spanish Fort this morning. We were not in any hurry because we knew when check in was, and we knew what the weather looked like. It  wasn't raining when we left or 20 miles down the road when we got to Buccees. After getting gas, we all went in, and this Buccee's might possibly be the busiest one I have ever seen. Probably being Memorial Day only increased the crowds.

We arrived at Camping on the Gulf around 1 or possibly before. It took us no time to unhook the car and back into our spot. The light rain didn't even slow us down. The girls all explored some, and by the time that we had eaten lunch the rain had stopoed.

We took some chairs to the beach, and Campbell, Keaton, and Whitman even swam some. We saw the storms coming in over the gulf, but Robby and I didn't think too much about it when we left our chairs and went on a walk. We had to hurry back to our chairs, and then carry everything back to our campsite. 

We were all drenched when we made it back, and it was pouring. We finally all made it in and got settled. Some people took showers, but everyone changed into dry clothes. Robby eventually did some laundry to dry some things. Then we had walking tacos for our supper tonight. Robby had leftover chicken spaghetti, and I had leftover salad we don't really know if the walking tacos were good. We can eat those leftovers tomorrow night or tomorrow during lunch since we were be in the camper because it will still be raining. 

After supper we ran to Walmart for a little bit. Robby and I bought us and Whitman some ice cream. Some of the girls had showers, and currently everyone is back in the camper. I think that the rain has stopped, so we will possibly take the dogs for a quick potty break before heading towards bed. 

May 24, 2026-Beach Trip-3+3

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Many months ago Campbell planned a beach trip, and it is finally here. She had a whole presentation about where, when, and how much this little trip would cost. Her "how much" category wasn't taking into account a war making gas prices jump nor was she taking into account how much gas this camper actually uses at all.

We started the morning off with church. Since this is Memorial Day weekend, there was also a picnic at Raymar after church. We had planned to skip the picnic, pick up the extra friends with us and head on down the road. However, during church Robby decided that maybe we would go to the picnic to just grab a bit to eat.

When church was over, we collected Sophia and Laynie, and then at Raymar we added Elliot to the mix. We ran home and in less than 30 minutes we were on the road to the beach. The trip was fairly uneventful (praise God).

I listened to a book and actually finished it on the road. Robby listened to the Hogs lose their ball game. I probably should have started heating up supper before I did, but I waited until we stopped. It was nearly 9:30 when we did eat our chicken spaghetti, bread, and salad. I think that it was all pretty good, but it was kind of crazy in the camper-lots of teenage girls getting ready for bed took a bit longer than we had planned.

Plus a few of our camper guests have never road tripped in a camper so that added to the confusion. You would not believe the amount of stuff packed into this camper-you probably didn't know that each night of this beach trip, there were be different dresses worn and hair styled so a photo shoot can take place. Whitman is trying his best to stay away from all of these girls; however, he has become their photographer.

Getting everyone into bed was quite the feat as well. We finally got Marley in her kennel and Bentley threw up on the floor. Then Marley started barking while I had to search the camper looking for Robby's phone. Currently, it is getting quiet in the back with us plus it is getting quiet up front. 

I'm glad it is getting quiet because I'm a bit tired. My morning started at 5:30 when my alarm went off. I jumped out of bed to make sure that Reagan was awake. While she got ready, I did the dishes and laundry before seeing her off.

I crawled back in bed and had myself a nice nap until it was time to wake up for church. I actually got up earlier than I needed because I thought that Campbell was leaving at 8, I was walking down the hall to make sure she was awake when I realized she wasn't leaving until 8:30 so I slept a bit longer. 

Reagan made it to camp, and she was excited about today because this was the day the kids started arriving. I saw some pictures and it is quite a arrival-some are in buses plus some kids are hanging out of their cars with signs. I know she is going to do great, and I really hope that she loves it.

May 23, 2026

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• I woke up at 7 something this morning excited that I had slept in, so imagine my excitement when I realized that I still had time to sleep some more.
• We eventually did get up and start on the morning. I washed two different loads of towels, folded the laundry, and unloaded the dishwasher. Then Robby and I left to run a few errands. We started at the post office and then Costco. 
• Next was Walmart where I did our shopping, and Robby did some shopping for someone else. That worked out well though because it did get us moving quickly. We also ran into Sams to buy a few last things for us-the more we think about what everyone needs to eat next week, the more we end up buying-snacks for Reagan, food for the people here, food for the people on the trip-it's a lot.
• We were also hurrying because Reagan was on her way home. She thought that she was going to get off at noon, but she was in the her car heading home before that. This morning she changed her cabins to get ready for tomorrow when campers arrive. Then she hit the road for home.
• She had a car load of laundry-three loads. Now she has folded that laundry, added a few more things to his bags, and is probably getting ready to go to sleep. She will have to leave at 6 in the morning. She has big kids next week and is excited about that, So far, she is really enjoying camp.
• This evening we met Graham at Chilis, and the whole family enjoyed supper. Reagan told us about camp, and Graham told us about his half marathon distance that he ran this morning. He even splurged and picked up some doughnuts afterwards. 
• Graham and Anderson went to play volleyball afterwards, while the rest of us ran to Kroger quickly before coming home. We even bought a bit of ice cream to celebrate tomorrow's trip.  

May 22, 2026

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• This morning when my alarm went off, I got on out of bed and got myself ready-then I climbed back in the bed-shoes and all. It was so dark and dreary and since Marley was sleeping, I thought I few more minutes in the bed wouldn't hurt anyone. 
• I still got up before anyone else in the house. After a few things, Robby took care of Marley while I started loading up the camper. We have quite a bit of food left to buy for our little trip, but there were about 4 loads off food to put in. It started pouring while I was out there, so I stayed a bit longer to wait out the rain.
• The big even today was a new tire for the Subaru. Graham came home to pick up Campbell before work, and said that the low tire light came on. I found the psi of the tires and one was pretty low. 
• Robby ran home and found a nail in it so while they were at work, we got that tire replaced. They weren't able to fix it, so Robby was none too pleased about having to buy a new tire for a new car with new tires, but it is what it is.
• I picked Campbell and Graham up from work, and as soon I made it home, Campbell and Keaton ran a few errands. Anderson worked out while Whitman and I did some school work-yes, even on a Friday afternoon at 5, we did some school. However, when we were done, Whitman and I played the new game.
• Robby brought home pizza for supper, and now Campbell has gone to feed her chickens (not hers, but ones she is watching). 

May 21, 2026

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• I'm really not sure-I'm not sure about what day today is or what we did today. Ah, yes-Campbell did babysit this morning, and Keaton did as well. They worked at different houses, and one of them made a good bit more than the other. They were both pleased though.
• I took Keaton, and then Campbell and I picked her up. We ran a few errands on the way home-hobby lobby, target, seven brew, Nonnas, Jennifers, and home. I even tried to go to the library, but there was a wreck, and we couldn't get there.
• Robby was gone when I came home. Even though it was past 5, I still did some school work with Whitman, and then Anderson, Keaton, Whitman, and I played our new game again. I really like the new game, and it kind of has me obsessed with games right now.
• We ate, and then I read on the couch until I got a little bit sleepy. Robby then came home, and Anderson and I went to the garage to help him finish up. We had worked on cleaning the garage earlier in the day-we threw away a decent amount of things and moved things all around. 
• Campbell went to play volleyball, and even convinced Anderson to let her take his car. She has run to Sonic, but Graham has been all over today. He climbed pinnacle, played volleyball, and is now playing pickleball tonight. 

May 20, 2026

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• Even though I wasn't planning on painting this morning, I still did some painting. I had actually cleaned up all of the school room-folding the sheets on the floor and putting away the paint and supplies. Then I realized that I really needed to touch up the doors once again. It took about 5 minutes, but it certainly wasn't what I wanted to do. However, it really all looks good.
• The color is a lot different, and I'm really not used to it. Once I get my rug and clean up the pile of things in middle of the room, I know I will really love it. Now, all of my painting does make me want to get a new lamp, a new rug, and a new couch for the school room-that is why Robby won't let me paint the rest of the house...I'd spend too much money!
• I was pretty busy most of the day-I'd do a few things and then work on the school room a bit But the fun part f the day was playing a game with Whitman and Anderson. It was a new game, and we all really enjoyed it. 
• Campbell and Graham were at work. Then when they came home, Graham left to go back to his house sitting gig, and Campbell left to go to a birthday party. Robby and I left next to run some errands, and then Anderson left next to go and play volleyball.
• While Robby and I were out running errands, we stopped and saw Campbell and her friends at Dairy Queen. When she mentioned that she mentioned that she was there, some ice cream sounded good to us so we stopped for some.
• Now, we are home sitting on the couch watching a show-I'm also planning my list of things to do tomorrow. 

May 19, 2026

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• I was not ready for my alarm to wake me up this morning. I usually wake up around 6 to go to the bathroom, so when I climb back in bed, I am usually happy that I have a bit longer to sleep. This morning I didn't wake up at all, so it was kind of sad to go ahead and get up.
• I had to wake up so I could double check that Keaton and Campbell were awake this morning. They were-Campbell, especially, is great about waking up with her alarm. They headed off to go to a preschool graduation of a little one that they babysit. Then they met some friends at Top Golf. 
• Grannymom came over this morning to help me with the trim. Surprisingly, the trim took about as long as the walls did to paint. Plus I had to go back over the doors and give them a second coat. The slick doors didn't seem to take the paint as easily as the walls. I will have to wait to take the tape of until later because the paint is still a bit wet. I can do that and do some cleaning tomorrow before putting the furniture back to where it goes Thursday.
• Next up was the dentist visit for all of us. Well, all of us but Robby and Reagan. He is on a different schedule than us, and she is at camp. Anderson and Keaton, my cavity kids, did not have any today. But Whitman, who has never had a cavity, has some along with Campbell, who hates the dentist, and Graham. 
• I made meatball subs for supper tonight and did a few more things around the house. Robby went to dinner with work people, and the big boys have gone to a friend's house so I'm just sitting on the couch with the dogs.