The Crew is off to Oregon

Yep, the big day has finally arrived, 

The Civil Air Patrol  Color Guard National Competition

begins with a bang tomorrow!  

Remember earlier this year they won state and regional

In the wee morning hours of 3 am, I woke to drop off Donnie, Justin, and Moriah at their destination so they could drive to airport along with the whole team.  

Donnie had mixed emotions being tossed from wanting to stay with me, to taking all of us (which was totally impossible),  to just enjoying the whole experience.  

I think he was excited deep down but didn't really want show it openly knowing I was left behind with the little ones. 

Moriah was all giddy because she's never flown before. :)

Justin was so excited after hearing they will be driving over to the west coast which is about an hour's drive from where they will be staying for six days in

McMinnville, Oregon  

We looked it up on Google Earth and then spanned over to look at west coast, Oregon.  

I am guessing they will be venturing out to Pacific City.  It was absolutely beautiful, unlike the Florida coast (which is beautiful in its own way--all of God's creation is amazing).  

It has those beautiful rocky cliffs and the unbelievable view.  This is all I "saw" from pictures on google maps and images.  

 this image was taken from google

hoping to have my "guys" take their own beautiful images...wow!

Ok, I gotta confess....I wish I was with them.  

I also gotta confess that I am so glad that this whole busyness of practicing all hours and everyday is finally coming to an end. 

I finally get the rest of the family back. 

If you add up all the practicing and time commitment they have given since they began competing, I think it adds up to about 10 months.  Yikes! 

No wonder I've been feeling a bit down.  

I was thinking of wives who have their husbands overseas on assignment for the military, or whose husbands have to travel all week and home only on weekends. 

I don't know how I would handle that.  I know if that was the case, I would have an incredible grace given to me.  All I know is that what I had to go through with some of the gang gone was a big stretch for me.  It really was!

I am so incredibly glad this season is over, so now we can get back to....

• eating dinner as a family (which is what I have missed greatly)
• Daddy coming home early and being with us in the evening (along with big kids)
  
• Justin and Moriah now able to help more than just studying all day long for their exams they will be taking
• having us all following some sort of routine again. 

And I do hope and pray my guys come back with the big National Competition First Place title.  They have truly worked so hard to make sure all their moves are precise and in sync... It's really a neat practice.

 Anyway......I don't know if I will be posting again this week.  

I will be spending some time out of town this weekend.  Yay!!

I am going to visit my mother, sisters, and nephews. 

I haven't seen them is quite awhile which is a real shame since they only live two hours away from me.   

This is what happens when busyness takes over, lack of funds, and other factors. 

I am believing for a nice relaxing visit:

hanging out pool side, beach side and possibly catching up with an old friend I knew back in high school.  I haven't seen this friend in many, many years.  So hoping we can take some time together. 

That would be real nice. 

:)