Camping

We are home from camping. It was definitely a memorable trip. We got up to Pinecrest early Friday and were very excited to see that our favorite site wasn't taken. We have been fortunate to get this spot the last 4 or 5 times we've gone camping in a row. It is right next to a bathroom which is great with children and pretty much a necessity for a pregnant woman. It also has several huge rocks which the kids love to climb on and we have taken our regular camping picture on.
This year we were smart and took our picture as soon as we got there. We usually take our picture the day we leave, but by then we are pretty icky. This time we did it before the little ones even had a chance to get in the dirt!
We did lots of relaxing on Friday and eventually made our way down to the lake. Duane, Shelbie, and Shaylah were crazy enough to swim. Shyloh dug holes and built sandcastles with the little girls. After swimming we went back to camp and did our usual tri tip barbecue that we always do the first night of camp. There is something so yummy about tri tip and baked potatoes at camp! We ended the night with s'mores and hanging out around the fire.
We had some very loud neighbors that night. Across the way from us were about 4 or 5campsites that were together. There was lots of drinking going on and they made noise until almost 2:00 am. I was already very uncomfy trying to get my 8 month pregnant belly in a good position on a blowup air mattress, but having them make all that noise made sleep next to impossible. I remember going camping when I pregnant with Shelbie only two weeks before she was born. I guess I had age on my side back then, and didn't this time.
Shyloh and Shaylah decided to sleep in their own tent on this trip. We bought a tent heater and Shyloh was convinced that we would all die from breathing the fumes! Shaylah opted to sleep with her just because she thought it sounded fun. Shelbie wanted to stay in the big tent with us and asked to sleep with Lolly. We would keep Poppet in the middle of us. Due to the loudness of our neighbors Lolly couldn't get to sleep and then Shelbie couldn't keep her asleep, a.k.a...she cried, and cried. Finally we had to move her into our bed, so we ended with both little girls in our bed. Boy, any shot of sleeping went out the tent for me! I spent most the night awake. The next morning I was tired and my hips and back ached.
Saturday was another relaxing day. I needed a couple days of not doing anything! The kids went hiking and we spent more time at the lake swimming and playing in the sand. It was also very nice to have time sitting and talking with Shyloh. Her life has gotten very full over the last few months with work, Bible studies, and her other activities. It has been strange since we've started school to not have her around. Duane made a comment a few days ago that in reality we may be on limited time with how many more family trips we have with Shyloh. We don't know what the Lord's plans are for her, but now that she has graduated things could change at any time.
About 5:00 that evening Duane wondered what I thought about packing up, eating dinner, staying long enough to do some more s'mores and then heading home. I really wasn't looking forward to sleeping on the blow up mattress again but felt bad for the kids. We brought it up to the kids and Shaylah down all wanted stay. Shyloh was fine coming home and thought a shower would be really good, and Shelbie also was up for heading home. She had some trouble breathing the night before and really missed her bed.
We ended up staying. About an hour after crawling into bed Poppet woke up crying and having trouble breathing. We got her back to sleep but only to have her wake up in a full blown croup attack a hour or so later. We have had to deal with this many times at home but never away from home, let alone camping. At home I have things to give her to help and I have a personal size vaporizer to have her breath in or just turn on the shower water to steam the bathroom. Normally I stay pretty calm about this but last night I was really concerned and nervous. We took her outside and Duane built a fire. He put the teapot on the fire and got some water boiling, then we put a little bit in a coffee mug and held it up by her mouth to breath. We put a towel over her head to make a little tent for the steam to stay in. After doing that and lots of prayer she started improving. About an hour later we went back in the tent with her. Duane held her in his arms and slept so her head would be elevated just a bit. I couldn't go back to sleep for nothing, by then it was about 2:30. I spent the next hour or so praying for Poppet and asking the Lord to forgive me for not listening to my husbands suggestion of leaving early. I really felt that maybe the Lord put that thought in his head because He knew that Poppet was going to get sick. (There is a reason the Lord put the husband over the wife as the priest of the home!) I fell asleep briefly and then woke up again at 4:47. I then was awake for another hour or so listening to Poppet's loud breathing and praying some more. Lolly woke up a little before 7:00 and I was so ready to get up and start packing. My leg and back really hurt.
We packed up and left about 10:00 which is the earliest we have ever left camping. We are so glad to be home. I am on my fourth load of laundry, everyone has showered and is clean, Duane is getting a much needed catnap, Shyloh is blogging, (By the way she journaled the whole trip off and on, I'm sure she has written a book by now! Hop over to her blog and you can check out her slide show she made.)Lolly, is napping, and everyone else is hanging out watching a movie. It is so good to be home. I am really praying that Poppet does good tonight. I am setting up the vaporizer and having all my remedies ready just in case.
HOME SWEET HOME!
Taken when we first got to camp.

Only 1 hour later!

Shyloh shooting.

Shelbie shooting.

The kids went on a hike. Of course Shyloh had her camera and tripod!

Shyloh playing in the sand with the little ones.

Lolly getting a bath in a big pot and Poppet waiting her turn.

Best friends!

Now that Shyloh takes most of the pictures we are actually getting pictures of Duane and I!