Happy birthday to our journey!

First off, please know that the pics might seem quite random and some of the things that I talk about may not have pictures attached...which disappoints me...but, we lost the camera charger for a bit and couldn't take pictures.  Anyway, here we go.

Here we are, in about a week we will have had been on this journey for a year.  When we started, we were hoping to make it for a year and not we have plans for the next 6 months.  We have been traveling around this amazing country for almost 366 days (don't forget the leap year).  It has been quite an amazing journey full of amazing people, places, things, and most of all...memories.  People have thought we were nuts while others talked about wishing they had a chance or the gumption to do the same.  We have been quizzed as to the "why" of the entire thing a million times and we were blessed to share that we do it to be closer as a family and to serve; everything else is a bonus!  We have also been quizzed on the how.  We have been asked whether we have won the lottery or if we were young looking grandparents and these are our grandkids.  The questions have been many and the answers all pointed to the same answers as I just mentioned; to love and to serve.  Also, I have to mention this blog.  We did this for a few family and friends (we thought) and there are nearly 6,000 hits from 39 different countries to date.  We get questions and comments from all over.  We are very thankful that others want to see how God continues to work in our lives and what is even better, is that people keep coming back.  Thank you to all of those who care to love on us by keeping up with us through our blog and through personal emails.  Keep them coming because they are very encouraging.  Okay, so I am not going to camp on the 1 year thing because I don't think you want a recap.  I will just cover what we have been up to since the last traveling post.  If you want to know more on anything specific, please ask and we will be more than happy to share. 

This is our "yard" in Tucson.  Most of the other spots are wide open with no shade.  I just have to say thank you to my kiddos for this spot...

Tucson is cool.  The weather is amazing (although drier than a sock full of static) and although many people think that the landscape is a barren wasteland, I think it is beautiful.  I can't get over how everything that is so dry and brown can bloom some of the most amazing colors that I have ever seen.  The flowers on the cacti are blooming, the bees are flying, and the wind is blowing like mad!  I saw two picnic tables fly through the air last week as I was pelted with flying gravel from a "dirt devil" as I tuck and covered.  I didn't like it and neither did the two people who were on my roof as they fixed my air conditioner.  It was an instant mess but it reminded me of the power of the environment and I was thankful that we had no bruises and no dents.  Besides wondering about the wind, there is so much to do here.  We have had people visit from Canada, we have seen and learned so much history, and we have served in ways that were true answers to prayer.  We have met so many great people...lets camp out there for a few minutes.

Hanging out with our friends from Victoria BC.  They winter in Mesa and we had the chance to go up and see them twice while they were here.  Al and Wendy are our beautiful friends and our kids Canadian grandparents. 

Mrs. Wendy helping the kids paint watercolors.

Al and his girl.

Of course, Mrs. Wendy always has a shin dig fit for a king and queen. 

Just like ol' times.

The girls...

Found a lookout on a neighbors house in Mesa. 

Beautiful sunsets...

Silly shot...!

Taking a little stroll.

Anyone for a night game of pickelball?

We came back to Tucson and the kids wanted to paint and have some citrus. 

We wondered what it would be like when we got here.  We knew we were going to sit for a while so I could get care from the VA.  We also knew that there were people that were twice our age and came here to escape cold weather and some of them don't like kids.  Well, I have to say that we have many people that are amazing whether we knew them for a week or if we are still seeing them every day and they loved our kids.  The Lord has put so many great people in our lives and we are thankful.  Let's talk church...we were invited to a Bible study in housing on base and we have been there every week since.  We were welcomed and loved on like were always one of them.  We know that the Lord is at work because everyone of these people fall into one of two categories that have been "off limits" to us before...military pilots and Cubs fans.  Oh, let me assure you that the Lord is doing marvelous things when we ask a Cubs fan who is a pilot to sit in our pew at church!  All joking aside, we have met some people here that welcomed us in their group and we couldn't be more thankful for them.  Recently, we all celebrated Passover with the Passover Seder.  We were all new to it but it was an experience that brought the Bible to a new understanding.  This is just one of the experiences that we have had together. We meet each week in someone's home for a meal and fellowship, and then we have a Bible study while the kids are watched at another home.  My point is this, we prayed that we would find a way to serve, love and be loved while we sat here in Tucson and we didn't know what to expect.  When were at White Sands Missile Range just before we got here, a couple told us that the church on base was great and that it was not a "typical" base chapel; they were so right!  We were led to a group of people to be involved with and a huge need at church. We instantly volunteered to teach Sunday School for grades 2-5 and we have loved every minute!  I know I have gone on about the church and those involved, but this is one of the things that we miss; the church community and the Family while we travel and move so often.  The Lord has provided that community here and we are so thankful.  We have a family that moved into the RV park that we spend time with near daily; we met them at church and they are a true blessing.  He's a pilot (yes, I still love him even after that ;)  ) and they have 4 kiddos similar in age to ours.  They play for hours building forts, fighting with sticks (that doesn't last long until one of the adults stop it) and otherwise hang out.  Zachary and their daughter (along with her brother ;)   ) make trips to the Youth Center to hang out and spend a good amount of time together.  The adults also spend a great deal of time together talking about our frustrations of RV schooling and parenting but how blessed we all are (and frustrated at times, did I mention that?).  We are missing them right now as they are in Italy for a month but we are so thankful for them.  Also, since we have been here we have had the chance to do a tour of an EC-130 with a friend from Kamryn's dance class.  We have also had the chance to do an A-10 simulator and that was a blast!  I still think that is the best plane that we have ever created!  We also went shooting with a friend and shot about everything known to man.  My point is that we have met some great people and are doing amazing things.

Caleb and the .22

Learning and practicing...they loved it!

Zachary really liked the big boy toys!  He did a great job!

Yes, Caleb loved it as much as I did. 

They shot everything on the table that day.  Pistols to semi-autos...everything from .22's to .40's and everything in between...

...including a bow.

The setup that our friend put together so the group could learn and experience a Passover meal.

All of the girls covered their heads for the meal.

The kids had their photo taken as were put on the base's Facebook page because they have all done so much work building forts and being kids.  (Kamryn was napping when they took the picture :)   )

Kamryn and Maddie having some girl time. 

All of the kids are playing baseball.  This is the major thing that brought us to Tucson.  We had a few checkboxes to fill for Zachary to play ball in "some" city.  1) Be consider "residents" and allow Zachary to play city ball 2) Have something for Caleb and Kamryn to do/be involved with 3) Not pay a buzillion dollars a night to RV like other snowbirds who escape to the West when it snows/rains elsewhere and 4) allow me to get some continuity of healthcare.  Well, this fit the bill and the kids are doing marvelous things. 

There they are.  Amazing kiddos in a great sport. 

Yes, this what cool dads do.  This is what happens when you say to your daughter, "What do you want to do while mommy and Zachary are gone?"  And for all of those who have missed it, Kamryn (and Caleb obviously) is not fully clothed!

Starting with Kamryn...she has a number of friends that we have met and gets to play/see them a few times a week.  She still loves dog walking but that has slowed down as 90% of people have left before it gets hot.  She is also in dance now.  We go to dance two times a week and she loves it!  She does so well and we have noticed something new...she is a HUGE helper.  Not only does she love helping the dance instructor but she loves to help the younger "students" that need help.  It is so great to see her and to be able to feed her passions.  We have also started her kindergarten curriculum (at her request) and she is doing an amazing job.  She is also loving crafts and especially making cards for the people we know and giving them as a surprise.  Now, on to Caleb.

Kamryn loves to watch baseball.  This is the first year that we as parents can actually watch because our kids are old enough to do the same. 

Hanging out in our "yard".

Kamryn has taken a great interest in her hair.  We find her up here often "braiding" her hair. 

The most beautiful baseball player I have ever seen...and she's good! 

Caleb is doing marvelous also.  He is following in the footsteps of his brothers and is quickly becoming an all-star athlete.  Along with that, we also see him being such a huge helper and encourager on the field and off.  Not only does he practice likes he wants to play, but he helps the coaches when needed and is always the encourager that everyone that he has met knows him to be.  When the other kids are mentioning that someone has the 8th strike, Caleb is telling them how great they are doing at swinging the bat and trying.  He is also doing great things at home, with school, and around the RV park.  He is always offering to help EVERYONE and finds himself involved with a new adventure daily.  Even though there's nothing around but cacti, he continues to fulfill his love of the earth, plants and bugs.  He also has a new love of all things mechanical and robots.  He has been working on and gathering parts now for a few weeks and just tinkers with stuff.  He learning as he goes and figures out so much on his own.  He also has the gift of gab and when he hasn't returned after a few minutes from somewhere in the RV park, he is usually found talking with neighbor, new and old, and carrying conversations about anything and everything.  We are very proud of him.  I could go on and on but will stop there.

Like his brother, Caleb loves catching.

In action.

 

He wanted to recycle a paper towel tube and came up with this.  Yes, it flew.

Loving his new solar robot kit. 

We had some work done recently and Caleb was right in there either helping or learning (but he asked first of course). 

After the awning was fixed, Caleb asked for the broken parts and immediately got to work. 

Got it apart and learned a few things about gear ratios, brushes, and motors.  He told us that he thought this one needed torque and not speed and that it was probably at about a 50:1 ratio. 

Zachary is a leader; a great leader.  Yes, we have found that living in an RV brings out the "best" in a 12 year old sometimes and yes, we have found that his leadership goes "awry".  But it gives great teaching opportunities that would be lost if we were in mainstream America.  *****CAVEAT...I am not dogging mainstream America and hope no one hates me right now for saying that...just mentioning that the Lord has given us this opportunity to live this lifestyle and that right now, we are able to see and INSTANTLY deal with necessary changes...together.*****  He is leading on his baseball team in numerous ways.  We are seeing him lifting others up and also dealing with "situations" with other young men when necessary.  He is a starting pitcher (and doing amazing things.  He pitched the whole game a few nights ago and they won by "mercy rule") and also mainly playing shortstop and sometimes second base.  We practice for a bit every day and the improvements are amazing to see.  The Lord has blessed him with so many talents from leadership to athletics.  We are working on melding those two and using them to be an example for others.  He is also coaching Caleb's baseball team and was presented with a coaches hat and t-shirt recently which made him very happy.  He is also helping out babysitting and really loves the young babies during our Bible study.   He is also involved with the Youth Center, 4-H, Torch Club (a leadership group) and so much more.  He has been recommended for the Presidential Volunteer Award and we will be continuing to work towards completion of that.  Not only has he dealt with some "issues" with some kids on his own, but he has taken the opportunity to step up and deal with sticking up for the underdog a few times.  We have also asked what he wants to do later in life and he has shared that.  One of the things that he possibly wants to do is be a chef.  So, he gets the opportunity to help out cooking.  This trip has done great things for him and he continues to show his talents.  Again, I could go on and on about the kiddos but will spare you any more stories. 

 

The team. 

Happy to be back on the field. 

He is on the base often and a good example at all times. 

His favorite place on the field. 

Second favorite place on the field.

The future chef (whether at home or elsewhere) with daddy making sushi.

Outside of being involved at church, we stay very busy.  Overlapping baseball practice/games on and off base, spending time with great people, and living life as the "normal" Clon Clan does, we are fulfilling our time with great things.  We seem to be to be in the "right place at the right time" many times and the Lord continues to show us opportunities to serve.  Also, I have numerous appointments at the VA (did I say many?).  The first appointment I had, I left with 7 consults and then a few stemmed from those.  I have found out a number of things that have been going on causing a few other issues; one of those being a broken screw in my neck.  Along with that, I continue to have the "normal" issues with my back, neck, and the stimulator.  I have surgery scheduled for July but we aren't sure if we are going to do that or not.  There is a ton of stuff going on here and we are having an amazing experience with the Tucson VA.  No matter what anyone else says, this is a huge blessing and the Lord's hands are all over it!  It's not all about the VA of course.  The Lord has put some pretty amazing men in my life also; I have a group of guys that are great.  We are able to trust and chat at any time and our senses of humor (yes, I have one!) meld well.  I have many opportunities to be involved in an array of places and love it. 

David Lee will be here in a couple of weeks to stay with us for a week.  We will enjoy the time with him and stay a little busier than we are now.  We look forward to him being here and celebrating our 1 year mark.  When we started this trip, he was our first camping stop in Smyrna, Tennessee.  I am sure there will be much to share after he is gone in another update. 

Needless to say, we have never been so busy with nothing to do.  We stay busy and we do it as a family.  You see one of us...you see all of us whether we are serving or walking through the RV park.   Our family and the individuals in it have grown immensely and we see great Impact on this journey.  We started this journey with a one year plan and we have now moved from that to at least another 6 months.  We continue to pray for opportunities to serve and Love on others and are still excited to see what that means.  We are also praying about some other opportunities to write another chapter for the Clon Clan.  I propose this question for you to ponder if you know us...wouldn't living/sailing on a sailboat instead of living in an RV add quite an additional adventure to all of this...

...until next time.