Crowley's Ridge State Park

My husband and I have always been a huge fan of the Arkansas State Park system.  We actually got engaged at Devil's Den State Park on a Thankgiving weekend camping trip.  Awww.  Arkansas is a gorgeous state.  It's not called "The Natural State" for nothing.  We've tried to visit a different park on each of our little camping adventures.  Normally we stay in cabins.  I know that's the wimpy way to camp, but with 3 little ones, I don't really think tent camping is a good option.  We did attempt it once, but we got rained out and ended up in a cabin anyway.

There are a few parks that have cabins that we haven't been to because we just can't swing the rental fee.  $200/night is kind of steep.  But those are generally brand new and we're kind of hoping in a few years that the rates will drop.  Our latest adventure, and the last in our list of "affordable" cabins, was Crowley's Ridge up in the northeast corner of the state. 



We set off after I got off of work on Friday and I realized that I had forgotten the directions.  Bill decided it couldn't be that hard to find, but I was nervous.  I knew it wasn't straight highway.  Once we left the highway behind and got to rural country, I was even more nervous.  At one point, even Bill was doubting that we were going to be able to find it without stopping for directions.  But, miraculously, we did find it without getting lost.  *Phew!*


The back of our cabin... it was a duplex.  Not our favorite - we prefer to not annoy neighbors with our noisiness.  The cabin was nice, though.

After settling in and eating some hot dogs that I cooked on the stove, because the burgers and chicken were still frozen (my idea to freeze the meat... not the best idea), we decided to take a hike.


1.25 miles.  All the trails had the red signs, but they had been pretty well cleared.

It was the perfect day for hiking.  It wasn't too hot and it had rained earlier in the day, so it was actually almost cool in the shade of all the trees.  You might think that we picked an awfully long trail to take kids on, but they did very well, not really complaining until near the end.  Plus, I found out that a trip over the Big Dam Bridge, which I've been walking the girls across on Mondays, is 1.5 miles round trip, so they're used to it.


The red mushrooms and the sun hitting them was so gorgeous to me.


Black raspberries or blackberries?  Bill says blackberries are bigger.  I say he's nuts.

The highlight of the trail (sadly, not dancing rabbits - the girls were disappointed), was suspension bridge.  I hate bridges.  From the bottom of my heart.  I'm not a fan of driving over them.  I'm surely not a fan of walking over them.  And if it wobbles and shakes, I want to just fall on my face and belly-crawl across.  I can't stand it.


My husband, however, thinks it's hilarious.  


Which way do we go, girls?


Is it strange that I find fungus so beautiful?

We finished up the trail and Bill played hide and seek tag with the girls until it was time to put them to bed.  Bill watched some stupid movie on TV (we rough it, I'm telling you) and I worked on crocheting my sister's birthday present until I was so tired I couldn't count.  We played musical beds, with me ending up on the couch, which was more comfy than the bed.  I like sleeping on the couch, though.  Always have.

The next day started with us realizing that I did a really bad job packing for the trip.  Bill and Isabelle had to run to town to get some things so we could cook and the other two collected rocks while I sat and enjoyed the morning.


I did not, however, forget anything needed for coffee.


Morning Sunshine

We decided to explore another trail until the swimming area opened up.


We told the girls that there were probably no spiders, just like there were no dancing rabbits


We lied.

The girls didn't do quite as well on this trail.  Zoe didn't sleep well, so she was very whiny and it ended up being contagious.  Bill remembered seeing a sign for a wishing well, so we thought that would perk the girls up.


Not really what they were looking for, but they still made wishes for princesses and unicorns.

We followed the path around the lake a bit to the playground.



I sat here while they played and watched dragonflies.  It was finally time for the swimming area to open, so we went back to get changed into swimsuits.  I have no pictures from swimming, my camera and water didn't seem like a good mix.  We were swimming in part of the lake, and this would surprise a lot of people.  I don't like swimming in lakes.  I kind of prefer chlorinated water where I can see all the way to the bottom.  But I made myself deal with it, even if our hair did smell like swamp water the rest of the day.  Gross.

We had to run to the huge (sarcasm) metropolis of Paragould to get a spatula for the grill and picked up some fruit and veggies, because, as I said, my planning was lacking.  Then, when we got back, we finally fired up the grill for dinner. 


Grilled peaches, awesome.  Grilled watermellon?  Don't ask.


The Dodo needed a nap before dinner.  That's a tired child.

After dinner, we decided to go on another walk.  Because the last one went so well...  We're crazy like that.  This one was easy...just a walk around the bigger of the two lakes.


I don't remember seeing the bat condo....


It was a gorgeous walk, though



We hung out on the fishing pier for a while



Probably my favorite picture of the weekend.  My children are so beautiful.





Then we finished up the night with a campfire.  Pyros in the making.

We had to leave first thing Sunday morning, because Bill had to work.  Bummer. 

I figure since our dirty clothes reeked of sweat, smoke, and swamp water, we must have had a blast.  Based on the drive up and back, I am kind of dreading our trip to Florida at the end of July.  I'll have to come up with a lot of things to distract the girls or they'll be strapped to the top of the van before we make it out of Arkansas.

 

Awesome weekend.

First of all, thank you for the sweet comments on my last post about getting up before the crack of dawn to go to the gym.  I'm so flattered that I inspire people and I hope it keeps me honest and on track.  I have some awesome people who inspire me, too, so I know how important it is to have someone to look at that has done the hard work and is proof that it can be done.

I just got home from the most amazing weekend.  We jumped in the van after I got off of work on Friday and drove 2 hours to Crowley's Ridge State Park for a few nights camping.  And in Jennifer-speak, that means we stayed in a cabin.  I'm a horrible tent camper.  Plus, with three little kids, I just don't think my sanity would hold out the entire weekend. 

One of my favorite things about summer is dragonflies.  I think dragonflies are just the coolest things ever.   Butterflies are cool and all, but dragonflies win hands down.  When we were leaving, we stopped at the gas station to get ice and gas and a dragonfly zoomed into the van through the open door, buzzed around my head and zoomed back out.  I knew it was going to be a great weekend after that.  =)  It totally was.  Filled with many, many more dragonflies, too.  Sun, green nature, blue skies and water, and dragonflies.  Pure awesome.

Our family trips usually consist of 50% fun and 50% frustration.  Especially in the heat, because I tend to get really cranky when I'm hot.  But I'd say that this weekend was more 80/20.  I took over 450 pictures - another good sign, because I don't take pictures when I'm miserable.  It'll take me a while to upload them, but I'll share some of the fun we had in a little while.

Why I get up at 4am

My alarm goes off at 3:50am Tuesday through Friday.  That just sounds painful.  I allow myself one snooze, which amazingly I don't always use, and get up out of my cozy bed to brush my teeth, throw on my gym clothes and walk out the door.  I'm usually on the elliptical by 4:30am.  It's only Tuesday through Friday because the gym doesn't open until 5am on Monday and I have to be at work at 5:30am.  Why on earth would I do that to myself?  I mean, it's bad enough getting up in time to be at work at that ungodly hour of the morning, why force my eyelids open even earlier?

Source: confident-beautiful-motivated.tumblr.com via SusieBru on Pinterest

Let me just say that I am not a fitness freak, although I would love to be.  There are days I argue with myself over the multitude of reasons I shouldn't go to the gym....  and that's why I'm making this list.  To remind myself of why I should in the event that I slack off.  Not to be all preachy or "hey, look at how good I am."  Because I've started and stopped just as many times as the next person.  And chances are I will again.  I know me.

There's the obvious - I need to lose weight.  For my health, for my self-esteem, to be a better example to my children.  Unfortunately, sometimes the obvious reasons aren't motivation enough.  Sad, but true.  But now that I've been going steady for the past 4 weeks, I am reminded of other reasons that I need to go. 

• I go to bed earlier at night.  I'm only waking up half an hour earlier than normal, but I usually find myself going to bed a good hour earlier than I do when I get to sleep in that half hour.  So I'm actually getting more sleep, and considering that I still don't get enough, every little bit helps.
• It's ME time.  I'm the type of person who needs time to be alone.  People drain me.  I get a little time alone at night after the girls go to bed, but I spend it focusing on cleaning or doing other things, usually for other people.  So this is pure ME time.  
• My mind is clearer after I work out.  I went through a few weeks before I went to the gym of having horrible brain fog.  I'd space out at work, go on auto-pilot while driving and end up places I didn't mean to go, all kinds of "am I losing my mind?" kind of things.  Granted, I'm still a bit of a space brain, but it's vastly better this past month.
• I am more likely to drink water and eat better.  I mean, I didn't just kill myself on the elliptical for nothing.  I drink an entire 32 oz bottle of water before I ever make it to work.  I still need to tame my sweet tooth more, but I am far more conscious of it.
• Music.  A lot of the music I like isn't particularly child-friendly.  It's great workout music, though and music makes me happy.
• I can turn my frustration into something productive.  I've discovered that if I am in a foul mood, I own that machine and I am in a much better mood when I'm done.  And at 4:30am, I can come up with a multitude of reasons to be in a foul mood.  I'm not a morning person.
• Cold showers.  I love taking a cold shower when I'm hot.  Love it.  I thought I would hate having to shower at the gym, but I actually like their shower better than mine at home.  The water pressure is nice, someone else has to clean it, and there are no toys to fish out of the drain.
• It really helps my PMS.  For example, last month - the week before my period, I was a sobbing, angry, miserable, exhausted person.  For a whole week.  This month - my period kind of snuck up on me (is "snuck" really a word or am I showing my Southern roots?).  I knew it was coming up, but I wasn't dying for it to get here already so I could feel like a human being again. 
• I like to sweat.  When I work out.... I don't want to be sweaty any other time. 
• My kids think I'm a rockstar.  They think going to the gym is something awesome, so I am super cool for going.  And if I don't go and they mention it, I feel guilty. 

I could probably come up with more, but that's enough.  I don't expect to ever look like this or be able to do this:

Source: helpmegetthin.tumblr.com via Chiara on Pinterest

Although that *would* be cool...

But I want to feel good.  And I do feel good right now.  =)

Source: healthyisalwaysbetter.tumblr.com via Romy on Pinterest

Circle of life...

My heart is going out tonight to my boss and coworker who lost a close family member over the weekend.  I have been trying this week to juggle as many of their work duties as I can along with mine so they don't have to worry about what's going on at work.  I feel a bit helpless as to how to help them otherwise.  I can't fathom what they are going through.  It's difficult to lose anyone you love, but I think it has to be much harder when they are young and it's sudden.  My nephew is about the same age and my brain just won't even go there.  So tragic.

On the flip side of the coin, I found out today that my cousin is becoming a grandmother again soon, which means my wish that someone - anyone around me would have a baby has come true!  I'm crossing my fingers for a girl... they have a very boy-dominant family.  And I want to make pretty baby girl things.  My girls are not babies anymore =(  Zoe's 3 now.  And I can't have anymore and I know that's a good thing (a very good thing - at the rate I was reproducing we'd have 5 kids by now and probably another on the way), but I still want to cuddle a baby now and then.   And make teeny-tiny things. 

Like this....

Source: bibliosophybooks.typepad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

And these...

Source: annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Little girls are so much fun.  Not that boys aren't.  They just don't look so cute in peep-toed shoes.

This and that

First of all, I have to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers I'm blessed to have in my life... 

My Daddy

(I look like someone squished my head, but he and my sister look gorgeous)

My Grandpa 'Let

My Pawpaw up in heaven

And, last but certainly not least, the father of my children.  I love this man.  My hero.

~~~~~~~~~

I made really good progress on Zoe's Daisy afghan this week.  2 rows out of the 12 I have to make.  I have to say I think it's just about the cutest afghan ever.

~~~~~~~~

My sister's mother-in-law loved to sew and when she passed away, she left behind a fabric stash like you wouldn't believe.  My sister brought over a huge bag of fabric for me and my little sister (the quilter) to go through yesterday.  

That's just what I brought home.  It's not even all of what Olivia tried to pick out.  Some of it was just pretty, some I actually could see what I wanted to do with it.  We will see what becomes of it all.

~~~~~~~~~

I ran across this this morning:

Source: dana-made-it.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

We made plans just yesterday to go to visit some of Bill's friends in Florida at the end of July and I have to make some of those for the girls' first trip to the beach.  I'm trying to decide if I need to buy the pattern ($8) or if I can figure it out on my own.  And as luck would have it, I found these at the store on sale:

Looks like a lot of work ahead for me! 

Saturday Morning Cartoons

I'm totally showing my age on this one.  My sister told me she mentioned this to a 26 year old coworker and they had no idea what she was talking about. 

I have to tell you what my husband found on TV  yesterday and that my oldest child is now obsessed with.

Source: rockjem.com via Valerie on Pinterest

I walked in the door and Olivia just about knocked me over, so excited to show me what she was watching.  "Look, Momma!  It's your favorite show from when you were a little girl!"

I do have to admit that I'm a little giddy over it.  She's right, it was my favorite show.  You might be able to say that I had a slight obsession.  I remember winning a prize at church once and being asked what I wanted.  This is what I got:

Source: google.com via Anahita on Pinterest

Forget Barbie.  The Jem doll was totally cooler.  I just showed that to Olivia and she's begging me for one.  I wonder if I could find one on ebay.... hmmm.

I got up before the rest of the chickens today and curled up on the couch for one of my absolutely favorite activities - dozing under a blankie.  Olivia got up, claimed a spot next to me under the blanket and located the Jem episode Bill DVR'd.  So we got to sit and watch Jem together all cuddled up.  I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  =)  And, as far as retro cartoons go (my childhood is "retro"?  boo), I thought it was far less annoying as other cartoons I used to watch.  I mean, it's still a big ball of cheese, but I didn't cringe once. 

I told Olivia that her Daddy had set the TV to record more Jem shows for her and she literally did a happy dance.  That's my girl.  =)  Oh, and we may have found our Halloween costumes.  How cute would some little tiny Jem and the Holograms be?

Broken Mailbox

The girls and I had some errands to run this afternoon, so after I got Bill off to work, we started rounding up shoes and getting ready to go when I heard an awful noise.  At first I thought maybe the shelf had collapsed in the coat closet or something, but I knew there wasn't anything up there to cause that to happen.  Isabelle and Zoe were right by me and Olivia was on the computer, so I knew they hadn't done anything.  I opened the front door to see a mailbox in the middle of my front yard.  I looked down the road and saw another mailbox - ours - and a car in the yard two houses down.  Someone had hit our mailboxes.  There were two teenagers outside of the car, a boy and a girl. 

The remains...

I ran inside to grab my phone and call my husband to tell him what just happened.  After I got off the phone, I looked back outside and the car was gone, the kids were gone, and the mailboxes and all our mail were still there, scattered across the other neighbor's yard.  I was so angry.  How do you just hit a mailbox and take off?  Stupid teenagers.  I went and picked it all up and gave our neighbor their battered mailbox and make sure they were aware of what just happened.   I called and left a message on our landlady's cell phone and then there was a knock at the door.  It was the teenage boy who hit the mailbox, apologizing profusely and letting me know he intended to pay for the damage.  It restored a tiny bit of my faith in teenagers.

The neighbors had called the police and the sheriff showed up.  Then a lady showed up, who I found out was the girl's mother.  They live down the road and I guess he had taken her home and then came back to apologize.  The girl's mother was not a happy camper.  I think she suspected her daughter was driving, but I really didn't see them get out of the car, so I couldn't say.  The boy was just a nervous wreck.  We are the second house on the street, the mailboxes were in between mine and the neighbor's houses.... he had to have turned onto the road going crazy fast to take out the mailboxes and not stop for two more houses.  I rarely let the girls wander in the front yard and never even remotely close to the road because people drive so crazy around here, but it still freaked me out.  Mailboxes are replaceable, my children are not. 

My landlady just happened to be driving by the house (Why?  That's so weird...) and saw the police car in front of the house and she stopped.  She hadn't gotten my message yet.  So for almost an hour, we dealt with all the business of filing a police report and my kids asking me who was getting arrested (no one).  It was insane.  Before he left, the kid came back and apologized again.  I was starting to feel a little bad for him, even though what he did was so irresponsible and dangerous and I shouldn't have felt bad one bit.

Later tonight, there was another knock at the door.  By this time, I was getting more than a little tired of people knocking on my door.  It was the kid again, this time with his father.  He wanted to know if he could get the landlord's phone number so they could offer to put up a new mailbox.  I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by it all.  I mean, you see so many examples of people who just don't parent their children.  At first I thought that the kid had hit and run and it didn't surprise me one bit.  But he came back and owned up to his mistake.  And here was his father was taking responsibility, also, but still making sure his child was still taking responsibility.  I would bet that he makes that kid work his booty off to pay for the mailboxes.  I just didn't expect that and it gives me a little hope that despite all the parents who would just ignore the situation or who would shelter and protect their kid from any consequence, that there are enough good parents out there to make sure that today's teenagers become decent adults.