We don't take vacations, but we still have fun

We never go on vacations.  There are six of us.  Can you imagine how expensive that would be?  We would like to when we are able to, but for now, we do something in place of big week or so long vacations.  When we get our tax refund back each year, we purchase memberships to Brookfield Zoo and a Chicago museum.  Last year, our museum membership was at Shedd Aquarium.  It was a lot of fun when we went, and the kids loved seeing the sea creatures. 

February 2012 at Shedd.   Micah was only 2 months old, so he was likely in the stroller or attached to me.

 

One of the things I love about being close to Chicago is we have access to so many different things.  We wanted to alternate our museum memberships.  We don't think our kids are ready for the Art Institute right now, and we think they might do ok at the Field Museum, but after talking to several people, the Museum of Science and Industry seemed to be the best option for us this year.  There is so much they can do hands on!  The last time I went was on a high school trip 15 years ago and I didn't remember much of it at all. 

 

We bought our membership in February, and haven't had a chance to go, but finally went yesterday.  It was so much fun.  Micah really loved getting all wet in the Idea Factory.  I made a mental note to take a change of clothes for him next time!  The boys loved the room with the trains.  The girls weren't impressed, but as soon as Micah saw the big train, he started yelling, "choo-choo!"  They got to see some chicks that were still in eggs, one that was starting to hatch, some newly hatched chicks, and some that had been hatched a while.  Kylee got to see the back of her hand under a microscope.  I really loved the weather room.  There was so much we still haven't gotten to see and do.  We can't wait to go back on Father's Day!  It was fun seeing the kids get involved in what they were seeing.  I'm really hoping to see the Animals Inside Out exhibit next time!!!  I added up the cost of tickets and parking (we get free parking with our membership) and it only takes two visits to pay for our membership, so it was a great deal for our family.

 

Right now, we don't do big vacations, but all the days that add up between the zoo and museum is a vacation all spread out.  We also get to take an extra person to the zoo and the museum so other people can benefit too.  We get to share these experiences with our friends and family! 

 

Below are pictures from our zoo visit on Mother's Day and yesterday's visit to MSI.

Three of our four, my two nephews, and my brother-in-law

Easton and Adleigh checking out the camels

Micah found the giraffes.

They got to see a giraffe up close and personal!  It was pretty neat!

One of my favorites-the Okapi

We have a similar picture from a year ago.  I want to take one each year and see how they grow.

So sweet

We think Micah will be our engineer.

Having a race to see whose water reaches the top first.

 

I'm a work in progress

I’m a work in progress.  I think we are meant to be that way until our lives on earth are complete.  God is still working in me.  He will always be working in me as long as I allow it.  More often than not, it’s a difficult process.  But I’m a work in progress. 

Nick and I are doing a read the Bible through in a year (in chronological order) plan on the Bible app on our phones.  How many times have I read the Ten Commandments, but I was still slapped in the face when I read “You must not covet your neighbor’s house.  You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17 (NLT)  Ouch.  I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.  Often it’s difficult to hear when someone gets a new job or a promotion when we are searching for a job.  It sucks when someone years younger than us buys a house and we are still renting.  Or when friends go buy a new (or newer) vehicle, and we’re stuck with this crummy 2002 minivan that seems to have a problem every time we turn around, has over 156,000 miles, and smokes because we have an antifreeze leak. 

God has been working on me for months to just trust him, yet I still hold onto stuff like this.  I still want what my “neighbor” has.  I want that house, that car, that job for my husband.  Now, in addition to trust, God is working on me in the area of contentment.  I feel like God is saying, “Rachel, it doesn’t matter what that person has.  Be thankful for what you do have.  You’re being ungrateful.”  Ungrateful and disobedient apparently.  I was looking at what everyone around me has, but not being thankful for what we do have and how God has provided.  Ungrateful.  I was violating one of the 10 commandments.  Disobedience. 

I believe God has a plan for us.  I know he has the right job for Nick and will provide it in just the right time.  But for now I am thankful for his part time job at Monicals and unemployment checks.  Our van might be old and in need of repairs or replacing, but we have a van that runs and gets us where we need to go.  We might rent instead of owning our house, but we have a place to call home.  I have four healthy kids.  I have a husband who works hard and loves me unconditionally.  We have a great church family and support system.  We have great friends.  This morning on my run, I was listening to some Christian contemporary music on Pandora, and I don’t even know what song came on, but it put me in a spirit of gratefulness.  I started praying and thanking God for all these things.  I felt so much better after that.  Coveting what I cannot have right now does nothing but cause me to be negative.  Being thankful was a great start to my day, and I KNOW that God has a plan for us.  I still have dreams of having a house of our own someday, or a car that is a little newer, and I think dreams are ok.  But I’m not feeling bad about it, and I’m not wondering “why them and not us.”  I’m a work in progress.  I don’t doubt I’ll have my “off” days, but I am thankful that my God has so much grace, and that, when I fail, He’ll be there to help me back up again.

Right where we're supposed to be

A little over a year ago, March 2012 to be exact, we walked into a school for the very first time to pre-register our firstborn for kindergarten.  While I was excited that she had gotten into the fine arts magnet program, I was still nervous and anxious.  Kylee had been in my care probably about 99% of the time since she'd been born.  I was excited for her because I knew she was going to love school.  She had been watching schoo buses go by and asking to go to school since she was three, if not sooner.  There were times when homeschooling crossed my mind, but it was never something we truly felt called to do.  We had prayed about this.  I had prayed.  We knew in our hearts that our kids are supposed to go to public schools.  Sending kids to school takes on a whole new form of trust.  Kylee is no longer with me for six and a half hours a day.  I have to trust that God has her in the exact place she is supposed to be.  We are nearing the end of our first year of school, and I have absolutely no doubts that she is exactly where she is meant to be. 

Kylee has a teacher who is perfect for her.  She has made some pretty great friends.  She's learning so much, and reading far beyond what I ever expected.  She's learning sign language.  I have been able to get involved too.  I had no idea what these new changes would bring us.  Having a kid in school takes us into the next phase.  For nearly six years, I had been at home, and had all my kids with me.  Now one was gone much of the day.  We made a decision when Kylee was a baby that it was important for me to be home.  It was actually the best decision financially considering how expensive daycare is!  I wasn't sure how my role would change as they start heading off to school one by one.  I sometimes joke and say I look forward to the day they are all in school because I'll have a clean house for a few hours a week.  Truth is, I do look forward to in in some ways.  After this year, I've learned that I get to be involved, just in different ways.  I get to do class parties, volunteer in the classroom, meet and get to know the kids in her class, meet and get to know some of the parents, and even go on field trips.  Until a few weeks ago, I never knew how much I'd love and look forward to spending a few hours with 28 kindergarteners!  I love the hugs I get when I leave on Friday mornings.   I've gotten to help on the PTO and meet some pretty great ladies.  I love it.  I love every bit of it.  I look forward to having two there next year.  I know Elijah will do well in Mrs. Alvey's class next year. 

I love this new phase of life.  I am excited for what the future holds.  I don't want my kids to grow up so fast, but I am not afraid of this phase anymore.  I am glad to have the opportunity to be involved.   I have absolutely no doubts that this is exactly where we are supposed to be right now.

Friends ready for their art show

Serving snacks at the art show.

My favorite!