So, today was really just a driving day, from Saint Louis to Kansas City. Not much to report.  So here is a beautiful sunset pic from today. If you want to just stick to the sunshine and smiles, stop reading now. Enjoy your day.

 
Decided to keep reading? I’m warning you. I’m going to use this post to talk a little about the “other side” of the trip. The not-so-pleasant. Here goes.

The number one thing that has gone wrong is the van and rv. Not unexpectedly for me, but Deon had not done his home work as much, and didn’t realize how poorly made rvs are. Plus the weight falls on him to fix things so… He has replaced 3 blown out tires (one before we left) and one spare. Everything in the rv breaks. The other day Dimitri leaned over a cupboard door and it sheared in half. This is not unusual in our “home.” The van needed a week of expensive repairs. It has a persistent exhaust issue, and a funny alternator issue (which is frustrating because we replaced it as part of our expensive repairs). Also, the rv and generator have struggled to work together for a smooth electrical system.

Twice we have gotten the van stuck. Once in a casino lot, in soft sand, and needed some help from a fellow RVer to pull us out. Second time was in the backyard of a very nice church member who invited us to stay at his house. The yard had a large, low depression with steep sides. We followed the owners recommendations, but our van didn’t have the power he thought it did (or the traction). We ended up getting out, but tore multiple nearly-knee-deep ruts in his beautiful grass. I was so sad, but they were very gracious, and it was the host himself, behind the wheel of our van, who did the most damage.

We met a very rude anti-homeschooler at the Lincoln museum in Springfield. She was an employee, and when my FIVE YEAR OLD told her he was homeschooled, she replied “I’m sorry.” She went on to explain that she has never had any good experiences with kids who were homeschooled. I’m fine with debates between adults, but my young child is not equipped to deal with your adult opinion. In what world would you criticize (especially in that tone) the lifestyle a child, who obviously doesn’t make the decisions (and happens to be enthusiastically happy) TO THE CHILD? 

We have come across places closed, even when their website says they will be open, and a persistent post-labor-day Monday closure policy. 

The worst incident was in Hannibal. Kieran had fallen asleep in the stroller, and I had let him sleep in it at the foot of the rv steps. Aunica and I were inside cooking dinner and the rest of the family were off on a little adventure. He was buckled in, the door was open, and I was *literally* no more than 5 feet away. A concerned citizen called the police about an abandoned baby (I heard her hysterics to her companions and went out and retrieved him). So we got to meet with an officer, who just needed to lay eyes on said baby (safe in Siddas arms at the park across the street at this point). He handed out lollipops and was on his way.

The scariest one was just last week in Saint Louis. Finn was inside the van, and some of the kids were having a bit of a tussle. Another kid yanked the door open and Finn flew out onto his head. He got a good size goose egg. It was bedtime, so he fell asleep pretty soon after (in my be bc I was worried), but woke up about an hour later, inconsolable with pain in his head. Tylenol, ice packs. We had planned to leave that night, but chose to stay, so we would be close to a hospital. Deon slept in the bunkhouse, and I kept Finn in bed with me to monitor him. He woke up fine and chipper, back to his usual self.

Another persistent issue for me has been the lack of appreciation from my family, especially my oldest and my husband. They don’t always love the activities I’ve planned (or the dinners I make, but that is everyone), but aren’t willing to help choose what we will do or not do.

Last, a funny one. We were watching a theater performance in old Nauvoo, and I look over at finn, who is chewing gum. Except, how did he get that gum? Yep, from the back of the seat. Ewwwww! 

Kids. 😉