Camping

So a major disappointment in Chicago is that winter lasts until July, so camping is still too cold. No big deal - what better way to end a road trip than camping night in the house.

• You think putting up a tent is frustrating? Try doing it inside a little room with the peanut gallery giving you helpful instructions and "constructive criticism". It doesn't help that our tent is probably the most difficult I've ever put together - even outside.
• We ate dinner in it (carrots, too!) and then goofed around with the flashlight. One modern comfort - we laid in it and watched a "Hockey's Greatest Moments" video they've been waiting for. (Pretty sure we saw HeeHaw in the video!) Highlights for boys were all moments Red Wings.

• Sleeping - too fun. 4 wide.
  
• Longest night ever - Dad feels old because he wakes up every 15 minutes with a sore back and to re-cover tossing boys in slippery sleeping bags. Is it possible for everyone to be sleeping on me at one time?
• Only down side to sleeping 4 in a tent is when one wets the bed!! Taatjes hasn't had an accident in a couple months, but picked this night...too appropriate. Dad and Taatjes trying to clean the tent at 3am without waking brothers - pretty comical. All good, we've got more blankets. "accidents happen...don't cry."
• Wake-up to hunt for deer and raccoons. Breakfast at the "campgrounds".

Other notes:

• Clean dishes are over-rated, anyway.
• Baths will have to wait another day...or two.
  
• Still lots of praying for Michelle: "good leader" "serve like Jesus" "good care of high schoolers" "good hugs for kids with no moms" "keep her safe" "....from reptiles...like spitting cobras and crocodiles" "...and other species" "what's a species?" the best:"help her to become a Warrior Poet." We miss her like crazy and can't wait for her to come home - she makes all this playing so much more fun.
• Starting to see obedience becoming optional for Trey. :) Michelle often talks about this, but I rarely get a chance to see it. This would be the downside of independence.
• We've now watched the Braveheart "Freedom" speech about 15 times.
  

Starting to get sad that we're already halfway through. Have I said what an incredible life I have?!