Last week I was laughing at the children for having their suitcases out and packing all sorts of odd things. Amelia had more clothes than would fit. Isaac had five pairs of swimming trunks. Mike was worried about not being packed. So I kept saying to the kids, “Relax! We have plenty of time! We don’t leave for ten more days!”

Each day that went by, I had to remind them about how much time they had to prepare. But suddenly, on Saturday, I started to realize how short the time was for us to have everything in order to be away from home for almost two weeks. No more laughing for me! Today I had everyone pack their suitcases, which leaves us all of tomorrow to fill in the gaps, remember the stuff we’re forgetting, clean the house, and be ready bright and early Wednesday morning to hit the road.

I asked the children what time they want to wake up on Wednesday morning. I heard various numbers, “Five. Four. Midnight.” Then Mike said, “I want to get up at google!” He was only saying that because in our house, that’s what you say when you want to irritate people who are using numbers. Can you tell we’re a “geek family”?

Now that my younger children are settled into bed for the night, I can work my last shift before my bedtime. There is laundry to be done, the kitchen box to pack, my suitcase to dig out of the closet, our bedsheets to change, and numerous other small items to cross off the list.

Michael and the boys did a little shopping at Walmart for “essentials”. They picked up ingredients for me to make cookies (at my request), diapers for the baby, and a couple of GameBoy games and a computer game…you know, the ESSENTIALS!

I’ll be glad once we’re on the road. I’m hoping to keep my trip journal here on my blog, not only to keep friends and family posted on our adventures, but also to keep a record for our family scrapbook. Talk to ya’ soon!