30 days and counting!

It's hard to believe we'll be hitting the road in only one short month! Many of you have been asking me, "Are you ready?" And my answer has been "Oh, gosh no!" However I thought I'd clarify a bit further here. Even though we're not ready to go right this very second, I am fully confident that Jason and I will have all the preparations complete prior to our departure date of June 9th! (And not a day sooner!) As many of you know, I'm an expert task master and and project planner by default. So naturally, I have tackled our planning and preparations like I do any other project.... with lists of lists and colorfully coded spreadsheets! With Microsoft excel as my trusty sidekick, we've already mapped out the first half of our trip which will be from June 9th - December 16th and will cover the whole Eastern half of the country. All RV park reservations have been made through the end of September to avoid homeless nights boon docking in Walmart parking lots during the summer vacation months! (Although, I'm sure we'll probably have some hiccups along the way that might end up with that.) Others have also asked me, "Is this the largest project you've ever taken on?" Which I have truthfully answered, "Why yes, yes it is!" I don't think my mind still has fully comprehended the magnitude of logistics that need to be coordinated. However, I like to think I am on the right track! Here's just a taste of what I've been up to this last month:

- Doctor's check ups for all 4 Js (we go the all clear!)

- Getting the RV all tuned up (She got the all clear as well!)

- Installing an all in one Washer/Dryer combo in our RV pantry. Ran the first load all the way through today without issues! I love it!

- Cleaning OUT and cleaning UP the RV

- Purchasing a new F250 truck and working with Kelderman Auto out of Iowa to add their famous air ride suspension package and other fancy "do-hickey"s men like to have and play with in their trucks. (Photo attached of Jason's new truck)

- Massive Amazon orders stocking up on specialty consumables your average Walmart doesn't carry

- Learning to cut Jason's hair... yes you read that correctly. Since my husband is very particular about his hairdo, I have taken multiple lessons on how to cut, trim, blend, fade, clip, and snip his hair so that he can maintain his pristine hairstyle while on the road. And I am happy to report that the first haircut over a week ago did NOT leave him running to his barber shop... in fact, he even said it was "pretty good for your first time." I'll take that WIN!

- Buying Walmart out of all of their clear tubs to use as storage in our RV

- Drawing up plans for custom shelving, cubbies, & clothing rack that Jason is going to build in the kiddo's bunk room where their couch used to be. Fingers crossed he gets to that this week!

- Jaycie & Jett end of year class pool parties! I know it's not pertinent to our departure, however I do not want to neglect their emotional status and do want to make sure they get as much "friend time" in before we leave. And Jaycie & Jett both have an address book that they were able to capture their friend's addresses for future post card mailings next year!

- Curriculum purchased for 5th & 7th grades! We've decided to stick with IEW for writing and BJU Press curriculum for everything else which is what the kid's school, Owasso Preparatory Academy, has been using. This way upon our return they will hopefully be able to dive right back in without skipping a beat!

- Lesson Planning has begun, however I imagine this will be an ongoing project that I will have to tackle week by week based on our location.

So that's just a taste of some things we've been doing the past few months! Still have a lot to do over the next 30 days like actually packing and loading ALL the things into the RV. But I am waiting until a bit closer to our departure as I hate having to run back & forth borrowing things from the camper to use in the house. As my long-time motor-homing Grandma always says," Don't you dare borrow from that little 'ole lady next door! Because you'll always forget to return it!" I've learned to listen to my Grandma!