Trailer Park Queen

Okay, so I am officially a trailer girl...somewhere in the abyss of New Mexico! The trip has been incredibly busy so far...the Sequoia Forest, Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest have been our "semi-stops"...I call them semi, because we've been doing these National Parks on speed. I've spent half the trip hanging out a passenger window trying to get some shots (apologies for not posting any with these entry...I would be killed if they knew I was blogging right now!) Anyways, we hit Memphis tomorrow and should be back in Canada for Saturday nite. Here's hoping the kids sleep well in the car!
There has been nothing too extreme to report about - just some amazing countryside and some wicked hot temperatures (the one place got to 128 degrees!) Anyways, we are packed and ready to head out...and it's getting too hot in the back of the convenient store to write anymore!

This trip brought to you in part by...

I don't know where I'd be without my daily dose of goodness! Starbuck's has definitely been the destination of choice for many a "break"! It is currently thundering outside (a rare event in SoCal...Catalina Island caught fire last nite possibly due to lightning!) and we are in the process of packing the van and saying farewell to our Cali home. The kids have had an amazing time, but are looking forward to getting back to Canada. It's still a week away, with a lot of miles and adventures still ahead of us. It has been amazing to see the things God has revealed and blessed us with while here, and I am excited for what still lies before us.
One of the most amazing blessings during our stay in this ravaging heat has been the embrace of friends who have become like family. The Bailey/Blake clans have such a generous heart and open home...sometimes that can be CRAZY to say the least, but it has been such a blessing to our troop. They have done so much to make our stay here enjoyable and full of excitement. You are welcome in Canuckland ANYTIME!!!
As for those waiting back home...can't wait to see you and compare tans!

One last ride...

It is only by the grace of God that I am writing this blog to you tonite. I went on a bike ride with my Cali bro, Nate, on his crotch rocket (did I mention I love bikes?!!) Anyways, not five minutes out, I saw my life pass before my very eyes. An oncoming truck ran a red lite and decided to turn left across our lane…right in front of us! (we were on an advance green). We missed being the hood ornament of the Ford beast by mere seconds as it hit the Taurus traveling beside us. I cannot tell you how blessed I felt helping the lady out of her car, knowing that it was only by God’s protective hand (and all your prayers as we’ve been on this trip) that I wasn’t the one being scraped off the pavement.
In a moment life reminds you how fragile you are, held in the hands of the One who created you. I know I can trust Him with my life and that there is nothing that can happen outside His knowledge. It felt good to be reminded I am in HIS care, and the purpose and protection He bathes me in every day.
I have full confidence of my salvation that I need not fear death – but live life, every moment, with purpose. Purpose in my friendships, my family, my relationship with God. Taking each moment to reflect His goodness and the gratitude held deep within my heart. If I could impart one thought from this, it is DON’T WAIT! God wants you to trust Him and experience the peace of resting your life in His hand. Don’t let another day go by that He is not a part of…stop running from Him and let Him hold you in arms that will never let you go.
On a much lighter note, Steve got his first taste of In-and-Out tonite…the best burger joint in the whole of California. No trip is complete with out a double double animal style…it is definitely worth the drive!


Today was 110 degrees…did a little surfing this morning before spending the rest of the day in the pool with the kids and the last of the quality time with our California Family. We lost power for a bit, but it didn’t impact our air conditioner for too long! Tomorrow we leave for Canada…it will be a long road back to the North across some amazing countryside. Thanx in advance for your prayers…maybe I’ll get to jot a bit on our trip, but if not….see you on the other side!

El Capitan...el FREEZO!!!

So, we just got back from our camping trip and back into the warmth - PRAISE THE LORD!!! The trip started off on a positive note...7:45 am on the back of a hot bike - I was primed! Dad and I stopped off at a cool little breakfast place (my butt was ACHING at this point, and I must admit to being a little woozy from the exhaust of a billion cars as we went thru traffic in LA - nothing like second-hand smog!) We got to travel along the coastal highway for a bit, and went for a walk along the beach north of Santa Barbara while we waited for the rest of our troop to catch up with us.
We arrived at the campsite only to be greeted by a cold, misty fog. From 100 degree weather to double-up on sweaters...WHAT UP?!! But I am NOT allowed to complain about the weather (out loud) and so it was suck it up and go for layers! The first nite we were in bed by 9:30...CRAZINESS!!!
I don't know why I ever pack anything outside of pajamas and beachwear when I go camping...I mean, I don't think I got out of my jammies until 2, and by then the sun had finally decided to show up and we could hang out at the beach. I think it's a given that NOBODY looks pretty when they're camping!
Sarah and I snuck into town for our much-needed Starbucks and to find some wood. We scoured the backs of stores looking for lonely pallets that had escaped the safety of the herds for us to prey upon. Found a few "Thieves will be prosectued" signs before locating one at K-mart (the store actually still exists down here!) It was a start, but still not enough to keep the fires going at camp. Thanx to a little patience and the genius who thought Construction signs should be orange, we found a bin of scrap wood at a condo undergoing renovations. Bring on the dumpster divers. I felt like white trash - decked in my scrubby pjs, kids screaming in the car (they were proud of us), while a bunch of Mexicans looked on. Amusing, I'm sure!
We had a killer meal - steak and grilled veggies (we've been enjoying some fine cuisine as of late!) and sent the little monsters off to bed (after a bedtime story from auntie featuring "Gasterix" and his gaseous veggetables...I'll have to share it some other time...) It was adult time...stoke up the fire and settle in for the nite. Sue and JJ went into town for some "essentials" (Starbucks included) and we ended up chatting and keeping the rest of the campground up until 12:30. It was a lot of fun to relax around the fire (and try and maintain body temperature from its blazing heat!) It's amazing what you learn about people late at nite with a bit of Stella...
We left for home first thing in the morning, and I almost made it all the way in the back seat of the van! We had just pulled off the freeway, not even 5 minutes from home and it was panic...hello french toast! That's two horrific experiences for Maegan and the second opportunity to deep clean the carpets. Steve has decided to drive back with us, so that should make our trip home interesting with the extra person in the back seat. I'll just have to equip myself with some solid plastic bags and a lot of prayer!

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! Datenite at the movies...

I was awoken today in the wee hours of the morning (the kids got a head start on their sleep and their room adjoins mine...bad combination for a non-morning person!) Anyways, at least I got enough to make it thru the day! Todays exciting news was that we found and utterly obliterated a couple more black widows. Other than that it was a relax day...the only thing on our schedule was swimming lessons for all the kids at 11 and date nite at the movies for the parents.
I helped the master chef, JJ, with dinner tonite. Check this out...





Cedar-planked grilled salmon, oven-roasted potatoes, and grilled veggies on a bed of cheeze...it was AWESOME! It was nice to have "adult" time. We ended up going to the block (an AMAZING shopping center about 20 minutes away...Ron Jon's surf shop is there - a staple for ANY California visit!)
After an hour or so of shopping or grabbing a coffee, we hooked up with Pirates of the Carribean II. I know this may shock you, but aside from Johnny Depp being extremely attractive, and Orlando Bloom being a ridiculous actor who you can't help but mock and laugh at...I didn't really care for it. I can hear the gasps of horror echo across the Pirate world, and maybe I will have to invoke parlay in my sleep tonite, but I really don't think it measured up to its potential. I mean, "Elizabeth Swan" reverts to hucking sand as a form of protest, only to morph into Xena warrior princess, wield a couple swords and kick some major sea-creature butt five seconds later. And what's up with all the fight scenes in rolling things...isn't that getting a bit old? I was disappointed...
But I did get to drive home in Ryan's new Lexus...very slick car by the way, but I wouldn't trade Casper for it...I do love my Bug! After enjoying dessert on the patio, and a brief stint with the hot tub, I am off to bed. We leave for beach camping in the morning, and I'm going to be on the back of a bike at 7:45 am...and I don't want to be falling asleep half way thru the trip!
So yeah, I'll update when I get back on Friday...time is going so quickly!

The Magical World of Disney

Here is just a sampling of the plethora of pics we took at Disneyland!

It's a small world...

Well...the day has finally drawn to a close. It seems like it lasted forEVER, but it was AWESOME! The kids had a great time at Disney...we freaked them out with Pirates of the Carribean first so that any other ride would be mild for them. Unfortunately the Bug's Life show is what did them in!
The park was packed with people (I'd hate to see what kind of daily revenue they rake in between admission, souveniers and food...CRAZINESS!) We had designed t-shirts for the day that would help the kids identify our group in big crowds and hopefully prevent separation. Our group became famous as the "Orange Family", and wherever we went we were sure to bring commentary (maybe it had something to do with the wild kids we were toting around!)
I have to say my biggest highlite of the day was watching Arwen and Maegan meet Cinderella. They were so excited and enthralled by the over-make-uped impersonator and deceiver of children. They hung on her every word..it was so beautiful I started to cry. Next to make the list would have to be the parade...Disney really knows how to put on a show! The kids were ecstatic with each new character they got to see...especially the princesses.
The "adults" got to ditch the kids for a couple hours and have fun at nite...it's so nice to be located only 10 minutes away! I think we exhausted their massive reserves of energy, and they are all now sound asleep, no doubt dreaming about their magical day. Imagination is such a marvelous thing...

Backyard in Black...

Check this out...this is what we found (and killed) in our backyard this afternoon.


...and for those of you who DON'T know what this 8-legged friend is - it's a Black Widow Spider! Yeah, just when you thought you were in a safe neighbourhood, they pull out the poison! Owen located her in the fountain this afternoon while we were hanging out in the pool. CRAZINESS! Dad Bailey was quick to extinguish the danger, and we could all romp and frolic in somewhat ease...but I think I'll be sleeping with one eye open from now on!
Today was pretty low-key. I went and experienced an Orthodox Christian church that James and Sarah are attending. FAR OUT! It was a very different experience and I got to chat a bit with James about all the stuff they practice...like inhaling massive amounts of incense, kissing saints and praying to Mary - not to be confused with Catholic church practices. It gave me a bit to munch on...
Tonite was family dinner. JJ and I got to cook and give Mom a break. Although it wasn't the vast crowd we usually had, it was still a heap of fun. Ryan James showed up late 'cause he was purchasing his new chick magnet - a Lexus something (all you motorheads are probably dying to know what make/model/engine etc...sorry, I'm going to leave you hanging with nothing more than it's pretty sexy for a car! Total chick reaction!)
We ended up hanging out over coffee and chatting thru some really random conversations...shocking, I know! I love how it feels like only yesterday I was here last...some things never change...

A Day at the Beach...

Today we took a drive out to Crystal Cove...a stretch of beach south of Newport that is noted for it's cliffs and bluffs. We left at 2 (JJ and I got to do a crash course of shopping in the morning without the kids...LOVE the exchange rate!) Most of our crew was decked out in camo (the unofficial clothing of choice for our group...I even found a camo bathing suit...WOOT! WOOT! I'm sure that excites you all!) The brave ones decided to crash some waves - or get crushed by the waves...depending on who was facing them. Steve got thrashed pretty good against the ocean floor and got a few scrapes to initiate him into the tourist wannabe Californian crowd, and for a moment I freaked out over a "large skinny dark shadow" (James was showing me all kinds of shark shots the nite before!) Other than that and some wicked powerful breaks we all came out alive! Dad Bailey even got the lifeguard off the chair!
We spent the day exploring and building sandcastles, watching the kids experience things for the first time, and seeing the talented surfers catching some swells. We found the head of a lobster which was a huge hit amongst the kids. We enjoyed hotdogs without buns (looong story) over the $20 BBQ I assembled for Sarah (amazing it didn't explode!) It was enough just to sit on the sand and relax to the sound of crashing waves. Being by the ocean has to be one of my favourite things of all times...especially when you are with people you love.
After we got all the kids home and rinsed the sand box that snuck its way home thru their clothes and hair, we sent them to bed and the girls got to hang out for a couple hours at the coolest cafe on the face of the planet! It's a house with very ecclectic gardens surrounding it and unique seating areas dispersed throughout. We even had a possom visit us. Creepy! It was nice to sit and chat as women and discuss "girly" things and not "kiddie things". God has placed so many wonderful peeps in my life to be an influence and challenge. We all come from different backgrounds, mistakes and choices...but we are all united in the love of Christ. It's amazing, really, because when we sit around a table and discuss things, you can gain a broader perspective and sensitivity to issues. I love the times we can be accountable and share insight through experiences that our lives have been led through...especially over a good cup o' java!

Crystal Cove

Here's a few snapshots of our day at the beach...complete with our lobster friend "Buckwheat"!

along came Steve...

Steve arrived tonite in the sunny state after a loooong day of travel (yeah layovers!) It's been fun so far having him here...he's going to get a crash course on the laid back lifestyle at the Bailey Hotel! Should be interesting! He's contemplating driving back with us - so a week in Cali will be GREAT prep for the road trip! The excitement continues...
Today we took a break from the pool so the kids wouldn't morph into lobsters and gave Mom Bailey a moments peace from the kids! Sarah and I jetted them off to a lunch at Playland McDonalds and the air conditioned comforts of a movie theater. The choice flick for the day was "The Wild" - a carbon copy of Madagascar except with Jack Baur (Keifer) as the lion Samson. Interesting...
It's been nice not to have jampacked days. Sarah's a master at scheduling fun things in but I am really enjoying the moments where I can stop and enjoy little things - like kisses from Sydney, or Arwen's crazy antics, or Maegan and Owen showing me their cool swimming tricks. These are the moments that are gifts for the day, that in a moment will be gone. Life was meant to be lived one moment at a time, and not fast tracked to future events. I think I've been slowly learning this...
I haven't been able to just sit down and read for a looong time, so I have thoroughly enjoyed the sacred moments of my journal, Bible and "Mere Christianity" (I'm catching up Sandra!) God is using this time to restore my weary soul, and I am grateful for the insights I've learned so far. Hopefully they'll stick when I get back to Ontario!

Attacked by sharks...

So I got attacked by sharks today...no, not surfing as one might imagine. Rather in the comfort of the backyard by women who are passionate about selling beauty products...the Arbonne sharks! My friend Sarah is hooked up with selling the Arbonne product (it's a great product I might add for a little plug!) Anyways, they had a presentation/party tonite and were trying to find other consultants. As they were boasting of 96 billion dollars in sales, the only thing I could think of was all the children starving in Africa, and we're spending our money on lotion to make us look younger for a couple years! Maybe there's something wrong with me!
If I was even remotely girly I MIGHT consider considering it...but I can honestly say I love what I do, and no extra cash in the bank or retirement security could change my mind. My passion is hanging out with youth and spending time with my camera, and I just don't feel God's calling on my life is to sell expensive lotion.
Anyways, I did get to go to the beach this morning and managed to catch a couple waves (although I didn't end up riding them for very long). I haven't been surfing in over 2 years, and my body was EXHAUSTED, but I LOVE IT!!! I'm going out again this weekend, and the place we're going beach camping next week has some excellent surf...WOOT! WOOT! The sad part about the whole surfing experience was that I wasn't wearing a rash guard...and so I now have a rash on my stomache that is VERY painful (I'm sure there's an Arbonne product to fix that!)
Tonite was PT...our girl's nite out. Haul out the camo and hello Katie (my naughty alter ego for those who haven't met her yet!) Alas, this is where the entry must end...since I am sworn to secrecy and cannot reveal any of the happenings - only those married into the PT circles receive such priveleges...and even then the information is limited!
It was good to hang out with all my Cali friends again and be crazy...it has been WAY too long! Don't worry...I'm still coming home!

Welcome to the Bailey Hotel...

Just thought I'd type in a few random thoughts before I head to bed ... not like I haven't been napping all day to try and catch up on my sleep! The kids are so excited to be here and have been enjoying their stay at the Bailey Hotel (picked up this t-shirt for Syds while in Colorado ... SO fitting!) Today was pretty low key ... I don't think the kids wanted to be seen anywhere near the van! Most of today was spent in the backyard, playing in the pool and enjoying "Rocks Anne" - the fountain I helped construct last time I was here. This was my first time seeing her with water, and I enjoyed the opportunity to sit in the swing with my journal and have the relaxing sound of the water falling in the background.
Dad Bailey took me on a bike ride to Target to pick up a bathing suit tonite ... since I go surfing tomorrow! I LOVE BIKES!!! I think I was born to ride...dang those long winters! Anyhow...thought you might like to see some pics of our Cali home!

2 hours of sleep and the FORT CREW!!!

Craziness of craziness...I had the opportunity to surprise some of my friends from Fort Langley, BC who were staying in Anaheim on their way back from a mission trip to Mexico. The catch was that they were leaving at the butt crack of dawn, which meant I only got 2 1/2 hours sleep before driving out to Disneyland. IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! I pulled into the parking lot and the first friendly face I saw was John! From there it only got better as I got my hugs from Megs, Kayla and Jill...gosh, I didn't know how much I missed them all. It was amazing to see you all again...big hellos to the rest of the fam and friends back home in the fort!

destination...Fullerton!

On Tuesday we awoke to find ourselves surrounded by mountains in "historic Georgetown"...home of a really old train! After a little photo op, we bribed the children back into the van (Sydney has learned to hate us and her car seat!), grabbed some caffeine from Starbucks (mine was a triple expresso!) and spent the day admiring the Rockies from the Colorado perspective. The kids were anxious for any sign of wildlife (Arwen claims to have seen a white buffalo!)...even if it was only roadkill!
We decided to picnic for lunch at the border of Colorado and Utah, right by a Memorial to the Vietnam Vets. The kids were a little more subdued today...and we actually squeezed some naps out of them in the car. As time was ticking, we opted to do most of our photography from the comfort of the passenger seat, lying over the driver, or even sharing the wheel and sticking the camera out the window. Don't worry...we were TOTALLY safe and only tried our most dangerous stunts while on straight stretches.
We hit Vegas at 11...and had planned to walk the strip with the kids but seeing as they were all fast asleep and SILENT...we opted for a driveby. It is an incredible display of wealth and extravagance...not to mention light! There were hoards of people milling around...and as much as it was intriguing visually...my heart was heavy with the seeming pointlessness of it all. I know it is my classic cliche statement, but there are children starving in Africa!
We decided to go hardcore and reach the Bailey Motel by 2ish...so yeah gas bar coffee on some long deserted stretch of Mohave Desert highway! We arrived at 2461 Salem Place to find Sarah and Stephanie T. waiting for us on the front lawn. Hugs never felt so good...and home never felt so welcome.
It was AMAZING to walk into the Lily Pad (my very own room at the Bailey Hotel). There was a welcome basket waiting - complete with Jelly Bellies (pear and buttered popcorn flavours to boot!) God has richly blessed my life with friends who have given me so much love and poured blessing into my life thru words and gifts. I look forward to the next week and all the fabulous memories it will hold. But for now, I look forward to my pillow...

thru the lens

This is a few of the snapshots taken on Day 2 of our journey. I felt so tiny in perspective to the grandeur of the country we were able to pass thru...and yet I stand amazed that the one who spoke all this into being, is the Creator and lover of my soul...

miles ahead of us and the wind at our back...

I cannot believe today finally came! After months of planning (or pretending to plan!) we are on our way to California! Sunday was a bit tight for time ... being up north for a wedding made it a tad interesting on the packing end of things, but we still managed to cram the van full of stuff - from tents to leap pads, coolers (unfortunately not the liquor kind!) dvd player and a couple changes of underwear - strap the kids in and still have room for the two "adults" in the vehicle! The kids were really disappointed that Casper the Bug was not the vehicle of choice for travelling across the country, but we were able to persuade them into the more spacious confines of the van!
Steve and Grammy were there to wave off our happy troop...and it wasn't until we started driving away that the reality of the next couple of days started to sink in. I didn't really know what I was signing up for...but I was ready for the adventure!
We hadn't even gotten past London when I decided it was time to break in the trip for "excitement". Dumping some half-full sippy cup out the van window while treking down the #401 seems like a task requiring little skill...except when you accidentally lean on the window button and get your hand caught between glass and metal with your sister anxiously telling you not to drop the cup! Besides a little swelling and a fancy bruise, it's doing fine. And no, I did not drop the cup!
When one plans when the kids will sleep in the car, it's probably best to inform and train the kids! It was in and around midnite by the time we hit the border (even the cute border guy thought we were insane when we told him what we were planning to do! With a story that far out, he knew we weren't lying and let us across!) and only two kids were down for the count. Sydney was not one of them! Using her limited vocabulary, she entertained us with E-I-E-I-OOO well into Michigan.
Shortly after she finally crashed, we ran into a little weather. Thunder, lightning, and some hard core rain succeeded in awaking our troops...argh! So much for me getting the much needed shut-eye before my nite shift! I got the priveledge of driving the 1:30-7:30 time slot. With a bag of carrots and some tar disguised as gas bar coffee, and some major prayer I was able to keep my eyes open and the van on the road! It was cool, because when I chatted with my mom the next morning, she had woken up during the nite and had been praying for me at the hardest time of my shift!
We stopped for breakfast at some pilgrim town attraction somewhere in Iowa. JJ had packed a breakfast of cereal and milk, and the kids got some solid time to run around and get rid of their car seat kinks and cramps before heading back on the highway. We hadn't even been in the car a half hour before Owen, unable to locate his barf bag, spewed Corn pops and apple juice all over the back seat. The kid looked greener than Jr. Asparagus, and I wasn't much help having the weakest stomache in the van. Survival meant hanging my head out the window, and letting my super-mom sister deal with the spew. I'm such a wuss when it comes to "smells" and my stomache!
We were able to keep the kids cooped up until we made it to one of the original Pony Express Stations in Nebraska (here's to memories of watching Young Riders back in the day!) It was a great opportunity for the kids to get some space. I have developed utmost sympathy for children stuck in car seats until 8. Although I know it is for "safety purposes" (I'm still thinking it's a money making scam for car seat companies) the person who made that law should have been forced to sit in a car seat on a cross-country venture!
By this point lack of sleep and limited activity were beginning to show slight signs ... especially on the drivers! Convos began to drift farther away from coherent or intelligent! I felt like a total tool when we stopped for dinner ... rolling out of a jam-packed van and lacking a shower and clean clothes, suffering from bed head and sleep deprivation, and trying to keep it together for the kids, I ended up dropping all the kids drinks from the tray (I seem to be having issues whenever kiddie drinks are involved!) One of the guys was "more than willing" to lend a hand (maybe bedhead and four kids is attractive here!) Whatever the case, we managed to get back in the van in one piece, and it was my turn to get some shut eye (sleep is a sacred word when there are four kids in a car!)
The kids did great with thier leap pads and colouring tools, and it turns out we have an aspiring tattoo artist (Megs and her markers) and graphiti queen (Arwen and her crayons). I think I've gotten the full cycle of baby Einstein (I'm trying to catch up from my "less-educated" childhood...it's never too late!)
Our first day on the road has been such an amazing time to spend with my neices and nephew ... who aside from a couple minor melt downs, have done extremely well in the car. There has been lots of opportunity to share laughs and stories with JJ, and chat about life and the excitements of the future. I know people thought we were crazy for embarking on such a long trek with four kids...and they were right! WE ARE CRAZY!!! But there's no place in the world I would rather be right now ... other than catching up on my sleep in a nice comfy bed!!!
We made it to Georgetown, Colorado...24 hours after departure. Eating and sleeping schedules have been given up on at this point and the kids are as wired as ever (I wonder who they get that from!!!) I cannot tell you how great it felt to take a shower and sprawl out on a bed. We have been showered with phone calls from family and friends...it is such a blessing to know that we are held within the hearts of such a great network of solid support. Who knows what adventures tomorrow will bring...but God has been amazing to us so far - safety on the roads, amazing snapshots of His handiwork in creation, and maintained sanity for the two crazies. Thanx for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers...