Ben's Arkansas Adventure: Camping with Mimi and Papa

When Anne Kathryn was born, I stayed in NOLA with Micah for two weeks helping her with household chores while she had time to get back on her feet and establish a routine.  When Collin came back to get me, we brought Ben back to Arkansas with us.  We had some big adventures planned for the next two weeks.

As we began the drive home, we had a great time.  We had a portable DVD player

and stopped frequently so Ben wouldn’t get so tired riding.

By lunchtime we needed gas and had our lunch at “Crackle” Barrel as Ben says and while we waited for our lunch, we had a great game of checkers.

At our final rest stop we had a fabulous time trying out 3 of 4 water hydrants.  We missed one because we would have had to disturb a family of picnickers.

After arriving home, we had pizza, Ben’s favorite, and made two quick visits to our great grandmothers’ houses.  Afterwards, we took him to spend the first week with Nana and G.  They had lots of fun doing different things and he got to play a lot of golf with G.

On Sunday, we picked him up from church so we could begin our week of fun—a trip to Bull Shoals White River State Park in the Mountain Home area.  He loves camping with us in the 5th wheel RV. We were going to enjoy a fun-filled week.  Here’s a recap of our adventure.

Sunday
We had lunch with Grandmother

and did some packing so we’d be ready to head out on Monday. Uncle B came in late Sunday night and the nerf war was on.  They got guns for Christmas so they could play at Mimi's house.

Monday
We finished loading and headed to Bull Shoals about 10:20.  We took a rest stop of sorts in the ranch and farm store at Ashflat for Papa to look for something.  In the meantime, Ben found little cars, trucks, tractors, and farm implements with which to play.  The greatest find was this saddle.  All he needs now is a pony.

On our way again, we paused to get a Happy Meal from McDonalds to ease our hunger until we arrived at the campground.  Once there, we checked in and set up in our spot.

We soon went to check out the river and found a great swing in the shade so we could watch awhile.  A lot of folks were out fishing and we saw a number of boats.  Fish were even jumping up out of the water and would make big flops.

After a bit, Papa grilled hamburgers and we got in the truck for a cool late evening ride and to look for deer.  In the meantime, we found a playground first and had a great time.

We continued our drive and found numbers of deer in different areas in the park and out on the highway that took us to the base of the Bull Shoals Dam.

We finished off our day with everybody taking a much needed shower and watching a movie, Planes, on the big screen in the camper.  I think somebody was worn out.  He hardly moved a bit in his bed.

Tuesday
We began our day enjoying the cool breeze and the scenery of the river.  Papa and Mimi drank coffee while Ben enjoyed blueberry muffins.  Before long we were joined by squirrels and a red-headed woodpecker that ate peanuts we threw out to them.  They were certainly used to friendly campers and were not afraid.  They would come up very close for treats.

Shortly, Ben and Papa were ready to go fishing for trout.

Later we took a break to cool off with board games.

As dinnertime approached, we drove to Gassville and ate at Nima’s Pizza.  Ben likes nothing better than perpperoni pizza and Nima’s has won international contests.  She is good.

After coming back, it had cooled a bit and we rode bicycles.

Wednesday
We rode bicycles a lot today.  When we needed to cool off, we came inside to color pictures of dinosaurs.

In the afternoon, we went to the visitor’s center where we drove over the Bull Shoals Dam and could see the lake on one side and the White River on the other.  There were a number of things to see inside the center including different varieties of trout as well as a black bear that wasn’t very black. The black bear, we learned, has many variety of colors—blonde, brown, white, blue-grey, and cinnamon.

Thursday
Today’s adventure included more bike riding, enjoying the river view while sitting on the swing, and a trip to Dollar General.  Ben was also very helpful with chores when Papa had to check on some things outside while Mimi did some laundry.

Friday
What a fun week, but it was time to come home.  We made one last morning trip down to the river, sitting in the swing for a while watching the water roll by and observing the fishermen wading and those in boats trying to catch the “big one”.

We took time for one last bicycle ride and then it was time to pack up and head home.  Once we were settled in the truck and headed back to Jonesboro, Ben fell asleep and napped for nearly two hours. He had a good time and was worn out.

Saturday
The fun wasn’t over yet.  Bright and early, Ben went with Papa to the “tractor” store.  He got to see all the Kubotas setting on the lot and Papa made his purchases.  We had three lawns to mow when they got home.  Ben started out on the John Deere riding with Mimi and then shifted over to the Kubota to ride with Papa. In the late afternoon, we headed out to the Riceland picnic where there were lots of games to play,

prizes to choose from, and grilled burgers and hot dogs to eat.

Ben hauled home the lute and had a great time.

Sunday
We went to church and had one last lunch with Grandmother.  We finished packing him up and Nana came to get him.  Tomorrow, Nana and G would take him home to New Orleans.  He had missed his Momma, Daddy, and Anne Kathryn.  I know they had missed him, too.

We had a wonderful time with Ben and hope that he is old enough that he will always remember his first solo camping trip with us.  Maybe it will become an annual event. It was so special to spend a week and watch him have so much fun and experience nature.  Perhaps one day, Anne Kathryn will be old enough to come along and we can enjoy both of them.  I know Ben’s mom and Uncle B have great memories of camping trips with their cousin, Nathaniel, and grandparents.

Obviously, camping isn’t for everyone, but we love it.  We relax and refresh enjoying a less hectic pace and to take in nature.  It’s our way of. . .

Living Simply,

Marcia

Meet Anne Kathryn: Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice--That's What Little Girls Are Made Of

We are so pleased to introduce the newest member of our family.  Meet Anne Kathryn Putman, born Friday, June 16^th at 2:02 p.m., weighing 8 lbs. 10 oz., and 19 inches long.

Of course, this has been the most anticipated event of the summer for our family.  We had been on standby for two weeks trying to be sure the bills were paid, the laundry was staying caught up, and the SUV was filled with gas ready to head south on I55.

Micah called Thursday afternoon about 1:30 and said they were putting her in the hospital Friday morning and inducing labor.  I called her dad with the news and he said, “Do you want to head out this afternoon?” Now I think you can guess my obvious reply, “I’ll have our bags packed by the time you get home from work.”  We left home shortly after 5 o’clock and arrived in NOLA at 12:30 a.m.  Everybody was asleep, so we snuck in as quietly as we could and went to bed.  We were beat—not quite as young as we used to be.

This little one is just as precious and beautiful as we expected.  God blessed once again with a second healthy baby.  We’ve always loved our little Ben dearly and now there was a second grandchild to love as well.

Collin stayed through the weekend, but had to drive home on Monday.  He had to get back to work, but I stayed with Micah two weeks to help with the baby, play with Ben, and manage the household chores.  Laundry waits on no one and thank goodness for dishwashers.   I thought I might cook several meals, but their church family was just so incredibly generous.  They brought meal after meal for the entire time, and if there wasn’t something new and fresh delivered, we had untold leftovers in the frig that could be reheated. 

During my stay, I made one Wal-Mart run to buy a few grocery staples and household cleaning items.  I also walked to the Lifeway Bookstore located on the seminary campus one afternoon to peruse for about an hour or so.  Toward the end of my stay, Micah was feeling a little better and we walked the campus in the late afternoon taking Anne Kathryn for a ride in the stroller.  I think she’s going to enjoy those little outings.

At the close of two weeks, Collin drove back on Saturday to bring me home.  He made it to NOLA about 3:30 and was he ever ready to hold and love that little girl.  I remember another little girl that he was crazy about.  

We had Sunday together with our kiddos and headed to Jonesboro on Monday.  We had a good drive home and were very excited that we had a little traveling companion with us.  We had plans. (Another post to come.)

As I am a bit behind, our little angel is now a month old.  That is so hard to believe; time passes so quickly.  I told Micah with the arrival of Ben and again with Anne Kathryn, the second nine months passes much more quickly than the first nine months. 

6 weeks old

I’m thankful that God has blessed me in that I have been able to retire.  There have been so many special things in our lives this summer.  Things that have needed time and I have been afforded both the time and the opportunity.   Family is everything (I’ve tried desperately to teach that to my children) and being with them brings our greatest joy. Hopefully, we’re creating memories that will continue through the generations. 

First trip to church

It’s all part of. . .

Living Simply,

Marcia

Living Simply: Retired and Back to Blogging

Welcome back to a restart of sharing my life, happenings, and thoughts.  I truly enjoy blogging and writing about my everyday adventures, but over the last few years, my life has been so fast-paced and hectic, time constraints have simply hampered my good intentions.  I love writing and have always dreamed of penning a book.  As I do not readily have any ideas or thoughts that come to mind at this juncture, that dream may be difficult at this point, but I think blogging in small snippets might be the next best thing since I have a little more "me" time.

I've retired, again.  I hope this time for good.  I was a business classroom teacher for 31 years and retired from Jonesboro Public Schools.  I served as the administrator at Ridgefield Christian School for six years.  Thirty-seven years seemed like long enough so here I am at home and I am loving every minute.  There have been enough concerts, plays, and ballgames. I used to laugh that I needed a cot in my office because sometimes I didn't get home except to turn around and head back to start yet another day.  I enjoyed my work--it was challenging and if anything, never boring. No two days were ever alike.  I worked with a wonderful staff and loved the kids.  I especially loved and appreciated the ladies in my office.  I've envisioned this milestone for years and it has finally arrived.  It came quickly and unexpectedly, but God is wonderful to orchestrate plans and facilitate every detail when we don't even know He is working behind the scenes pouring out totally unexpected blessings in our life.

With that being said, blogging is one of those activities that has been on hold. I'm beginning again and will share with anyone who is brave enough and has enough time and interest to follow my musings and commentary.

But to give a brief recap of my life since the end of March, Collin and I traveled to New Orleans during Spring Break to visit Micah and her family.  We had a marvelous time.  Its always good to see our family.  We enjoyed a camping trip during April and again Memorial Day.

We traveled to New Orleans again in June when our second grandbaby arrived, a beautiful little girl, Anne Kathyrn. Now we are planning for some other summer adventures.

I've also spent quite a bit of time with our two mothers.  I was fortunate to travel with my Mom in April to Branson.  The trip came up at the last minute, but when you're retired, you can drop everything instantly and change your schedule.  We had so much fun and are planning on some more excursions.

I'm having lunch with friends.  Never done that before.  School lunches of 15 to 20 minutes didn't allow it.  I'm noticing that everywhere I look, stores, students, and parents are already beginning to think about "back to school".  Not me. I've been going to school since I was six years old and this August, I'm not going back.

And then there are all my projects that are waiting and activities on hold that I enjoy.  I've never had time to read.  Rarely even could sit still long enough to look at a magazine.  That has changed.  (I opened an account on Goodreads.) I told the staff that I'd like to trade in my stadium seat for the big comfy chair in the corner of my bedroom and read.  And guess what--as a special farewell in a chapel service, every student PK3-12 gathered and every class as well as the staff selected favorite books and presented them to me.  I was so touched--they could not have done anything more to please me and create a wonderful lasting memory.  I'm reading.

I also bought a bicycle.  I love to ride and I go in the mornings for exercise and we take our bikes now when we go camping.  It's kind of bright and very cheerful.  I didn't want to get run over.

I've also discovered I enjoy coloring.  I have colored pencils and have downloaded some drawings a little more simple for a beginning adult.  I never thought I had any artistic ability at all, but I can do this. Its creative, (I get to choose the color of the pencil) and its very relaxing to me. No pressure. You lay it aside when you get tired or need to do a chore and it's easy to pick back up where you left off.  I highly recommend it.

Now I'm also doing projects in the house and cleaning.  I love to cook and am trying some new recipes.  My personal cookbook which contains our family favorites needs an update.  That may be a winter time project. I've done redecorating and moved things around. I had my piano tuned and I actually sit down and play.  There's lots of yard work going on around here.  In addition to mowing and continually picking up sticks, Collin and I have created a rock garden to enhance the landscaping. We are so pleased with the outcome.  More on that later--I'll devote an entire post to our new outdoor space.  We're also gardening--what's summer without tomatoes?

At any rate, my lifestyle has changed.  I sit on the deck and linger over morning coffee. I'm not quite so hurried and an unexpected change of plans or schedule is no hassle.  Morning communes with God in scripture and prayer are precious. I'm happy and I'm content.  When you slow down and consider what you have, you recognize and appreciate God's provisions afresh and anew every day.  I have been blessed with family, friends, health, and every daily need is supplied.  I want to make every moment and every day count. I don't need more stuff and nothing fancy.  I just want to sit a little, view life from the porch swing and. . .

LIVE SIMPLY

I hope you'll join me and as the new life journey begins.

Marcia