Elevated!!!!

Sunday, November 29, 2015
Up and going fairly early as we are going to church and have about a 25 -30 minute drive.  A few showers and breakfast happened before we left the campsite for Elevation Church.  As we pulled up they had a sign saying to turn on flashers if you were a first time visitor – we are but we didn’t turn on our lights.  The Elevation environment felt similar to Heartland at home – awesome.  We got there with time to spare and needed to wait for John and Shannon.  As we were wondering around the atrium area we met a youth minister (Josh) – took us to the kid area to see it.  It was great to seet the area and hear what the kids do during their service.  Our kids were hesitant to participate as it’s all new and overwhelming to thme.  They decided they wanted to be with us and go into the adult service this morning.  So Dawson and I were good with that….in fact, I was excited to worship as a family!  We sat down to in our seats and look up toward the stage and about 3 rows up a guy had a KC Royals hat on backwards so it was facing us.  It felt like a small sign from God that we were right were he wanted us to be this am!  It almost brought a tear to my eye.  Be still and know - "I got you all"  that was what hit my heart and mind at that very moment prior to the service starting.

We rock out to some great music and a moving praise concert.  Great music and WOW …..what a fun message on the levels of Graditude.  The pastor was energetic and delivered a great message to wrap up our Thanksgiving weekend.  The service was moving and had good messages for us all to take away in the coming week.  It was really great to be at church as a family this am and how God let us to ELEVATION.   As you are grateful this week…..think about these areas of gratitude….good stuff.
Thankful
                FOR THE….
                BECAUSE OF….
                THROUGH THE…
Think of these areas of  God working in your life:
Provision
Presence
Purpose

After the service, John introduced us to the Assoc Pastor, for this location of the church.  He was impressed with our story and asked if we had any questions about our visit.
Mike at welcome table was also impressed with our story and gave us a tshirt and water bottle to remember our visit today here at Elevation Church.
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Shannon and John had lunch plans for her birthday with her family that was driving into town.  Lisa, Morris and Dori asked us if we wanted to join them for lunch.  Oh course – that would be great.  There was a fun outdoor mall area down the street, so we had lunch with Lisa, Dori and Morris Morrison at a restraunt called – Smoke Bar b que- actually based on KC style bar b que here in NC and they did it very well.  At one point, Morris and the kids were all under the table - it was funny!  It was all fabulous!!! Yummy, our tummy’s are full with a great meal and our hearts are full with new amazing people to call friends!  We said good bye to the Morrison's as they needed to get Dori down for an afternoon nap.  They have invited the kids and I up to there house this week when Dawson is gone. So we will see them later this week and the kids can not wait!

Back to the RV to let the sweet Summer girl that got groomed out for a stroll in the nice weather before it rains!   Today is amazing weather wise – it is almost 70 and starting to cloud up…but it is warm.

Carla and Steve stopped by for an RV visit after the Duke basketball win.  It started to rain lightly when they got here and rained almost their entire visit.  Steve took 2 of our inside cabinet doors off to take home to fix.  He is an amazing carpentar and is happy to fix them for us.  Yeah.  One is an overhead small cabinet door that closes in some of our food and the other is the closet door with the mirror that Franki fell into during with the first week of the trip. I think I blogged about it.

Anyway, it will hopefully be an easy project for Steve with this awesome workshop in the basement of his home. The biggest challenge might be removing all the duct tape that Dawson has on both the doors.  My “half asser” that’s him – that’s what he does.  But I love this man with all my heart.  He means well – he just doesn’t have that knack of “doing it right” sort of speak.  Steve is much like my dad as a handy man….very well thought out and a perfectionist.  The cabinets will return – I’m sure in a better place than when they were first even created by Tiffin Motor.

We are so blessed.  Steve and Carla liked the RV and thought it was nice and enjoyable on board.  We enjoyed their company and they brought ice cream and banana bread from Klari- Thank you Klari.  They left around 5 pm to go rest – Steve worked with Mike all weekend on a house replacing windows and siding – so he is wiped out.   We told them we would see them tomorrow –turkey sandwiches at their house for lunch.   We need to get back into school tomorrow before we do anything else. 

We enjoyed some down time the rest of the evening.  Q and I went and rented a red box movie – “Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day”.  It was a cute show and we all enjoyed it.
The rain started to come down harder and it didn’t stop all night long!

Check out Elevated Church and Smoke bar b que:
http://elevationchurch.org/archive/   - we attended the Graduation In Graditude Sermon
http://www.smokemodernbbq.com/ - we ate here
Grateful to feeling God’s presence through this RV family adventure. 
So blessed-
Tiffany & Family

​Saturday, November 28th, 2015
Maverick, our elf on the shelf,  appeared today!   Mena found him on top of the shelf/ cabinet in the bathroom up by the fan.  Yeah, he found us on the road!!!  Mena was so worried about it as the tooth fairy had some issues earlier this month finding Franki and some of her teeth!  She was so excited to find him in the RV bathroom and called her siblings into the bathroom to see him.   Guess the fan areas on the RV can work like chimney’s at home.    This is a good sign that we can have Christmas, RV style this year. 

Today, Miss Summer has an appointment at the Petco to see the groomers – Mena and I took her at 9:30 for her 10 am appointment.  Pet adoption folks bringing in rescue dogs and cats.  Summer was watching us from the grooming windows.  We looked at animals especially the fish and hamsters and then headed back to the RV.   Mena wants a fish but I told her that is not a good pet for the RV….that fish would be sick all the time from driving and at the rate I’m going with electronics – I would probably kill a fish.

Back at the RV- Dawson updated our route map online and posted it on FB and we made more reservations to get us to moving on after next weekend.   He doesn’t do this often so it was perfectly timed by God as to who was going to see it posted on Facebook.  This becomes important later on in the story.

Dawson wanted to get the kids their Christmas gifts early – so to the Sprint store we went.  For the record, I do not agree with his plan but he said he wants to enjoy Florida and I don’t want to go in by myself and do it!  So I compromised and we are going to the store to see about adding to my plan.  Depending on the plans  - Q will be getting a new phone and maybe Franki.  My normal rule would be not to get her a phone until she is 12- but I will have an open mind as we go to the store.  So not wanting to do this – but I know we need to explore some options here.   

Franki was the happiest she has been on this entire trip.  Yep  - it is making sense to get her a phone and I am actully ok with it!  We met Marcia, our Sprint CS Rep,  who was great with us and all our questions.  She was a student at the university campus across the street -  and she loved her job at Sprint!  She asked me about working at Corporate….pretty fun conversation.  By my account she knew I was either still a corp Sprint employee or had been at some point in my past.  You know I loved my career at Sprint and all I learned there and the great people I met there many who I am still in contact with and some that are some of my closest friends to this day!  Thanks Marcia for all your help with our phone service.  You were great! Best wishes to you and your bright future – you will go places girl!  Sprint – she is good at representing your products and the type of customer service you need in this world!!!  Good job, well done Marcia!  Can you tell I am an HR person – always giving feedback and recognition.

Franki is like a new girl…..now she can stay connected to home and maybe feel better about our adventure while she is still connected.  That phone was like a “magic pill” for her – she is so excited and I know she feels like we really trust her and believe she is responsible enough to take care of a phone and use it properly.  She grew up the very minute Marcia placed that phone in her possession.  It was fun to watch but as a mom – it made my sad too….my babies are growing up in so many ways right in front of my eyes!   It’s crazy – blessed to be open to the moment!

Petco called and Summer was ready early but we were still at the Sprint store.  We wrapped up with 2 new phones and then headed back to get Summer girl.  Q, Mena and I went in to get her……she looked so good but she was ready to go!  She was pulling us to the door!  I went to pay for her “pet day at the spa” (which by the way is NOT yeap for a 70 lb dog) and then got her out of the store.

Jimmy John sandwiches for all and we headed to a park to run the dog and eat outside enjoying the amazing weather today as it ICEY winter conditions back at home.  We ran Summer and decided to head back to the RV to rest for a while.  I want to go to church tomorrow so I looked up churches in area and have it narrowed down to two or three ….the one closest to the RV park that looks to be potential ones we could attend tomorrow as a family.  I was glad Dawson was on board with attending as a family.  It meant a great deal to me that he was supportive when the kids all of course said no way.  Funny how they know when he is in support of my idea that its going to happen.  Church is going to happen for the Fercho’s tomorrow!  We haven’t been since we left home and listening to them online works but isn’t the same.  We need to go as we are here and have no excuse not to go this week.

From Dawson’s facebook post this am,  he learned he had a high school friend here in Charlotte and they were replying back and forth on FB then John called Dawson.  They talked and he invited us all over to help celebrate his fiance’s 37th birthday. Dawson asked if we wanted to do that and I said yes, we should.  It was a bon fire and sounded fun.  On the way there the kids were saying will their be kids there, what if we don’t have fun, etc etc.  We told them we would just check it out and to have an open mind and let’s see what we think once we get there.  It is weird – because even though D and I don’t verbalize our thoughts like the kids – it is weird in a strange town someplace none of us have ever been – we often question what we are doing too.  But I think this will be a fun outing for us as a family!

Awesome night of meeting new people – John, Shannon, Pam her mom, Gracie and Colton (2 of John’s kids)– you all have a beautiful new home.  Congrats to you both.  We loved your Christmas decorations as well.  And the 3 dogs – they were great.  Shannon, Happy Birthday girl.

We met some great folks while we were there at the party:
Maurice and his friend
Jeremy & Regan
Trevor & Tarah
Morris, Lisa and Dori Morrison

It was a very fun and an enjoyable night getting to know some new people and their stories and connections in Charlotte.  The kids even had a fabulous time with Gracie and the dogs!  Most folks we have met are not native to NC, have not been from here but all love it here in North Carolina.

Fun night …. Fun fun night…..and a blessed night…..some pretty amazing connections were made by us all.  I really enjoyed my conversation with Lisa Morrison and really connected with her.  She is a sweet person inside and out.  As they were leaving she invited us to her home this coming week.  I’m excited for what is in store with a friendship with her and Morris.  Cool people and that sweet Dori – she is so cute and cuddly….hard to believe my kids were that small.  Everyone at the party were so nice and interested in our story…..Shannon and John were very fun hostess!  

Colton had a little trouble at the end of the night from a poor, 17 year old mistake and one that we used as a “teaching moment” for our kids.  The cops came by – ugh – to ask him some questions.  Seventeen and young – so many lesson’s still to learn.  Not a huge deal but something – you sometimes learn the hard way.  He is a good kid and you could tell it freak him out a little bit.  Something that took place in a busy parking lot on Black Friday.  Not a big deal but a big lesson!!!
Invite to Church – Lisa invited me to join them.  And funny – the guys, John and Morris, invited Dawson too, in a separate conversation.  So Elevation Church is where we are going tomorrow am.  Thank you God for presenting this opportunity.
We wrapped up our night by the fire pit with our new friends to head back to the RV.  We were ready to call it a night……it was a busy day – physically fit a lot in and emotionally – overwhelmed with how the day played out and the new friends we made!
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We took it all in and said – Thank you!!!  And good night.
Here’s to new connections – new opportunities and new friendships!
Tiffany and family

​Friday, November 27th, 2015
It was funny when we got back to the RV last night – we pulled up and all got excited saying “home, sweet home”  kind of funny that truly home can be “where you park it”.  After 7 weeks, we are beginning to adjust to our new life. 
Friday am, no alarm clocks and no work today!  And we really are not “Black Friday” people.  Plus if I go buy stuff there really is no where to put things.  We don’t need anything and I don’t have any desire to fight the crowds for bargains on stuff we don’t even need.  Definitely not knocking those that make black Friday an event – just not for me especially this year!  We did see lots of people at the mall when we came home last night.   

Kids and I headed out to Carla’s.  The traffic for black Friday was crazy around the mall.  It took us a while to get through the 3 main lights but it wasn’t too bad.  We did make 1 stop for me to get a Starbuck’s, yummy!   Steve went to work with Jim, the neighbor, so Carla was at home alone.  Jim is a contractor and needed some assistance from Steve on replacing some windows and siding on a house he is working on.  Steve enjoys helping Jim and loves woodworking plus it was a nice day outside.  Overcast but warm.   I finished laundry at Carla’s – the kids played pool, Dawson stayed back on the RV to study  - he hasn’t done it much since we have been on the road and he thought it would would be good to use some of his day today to do that.  Summer stayed with Dawson. 

I also walked Summer around Carla’s awesome neighborhood – it was so nice out – little cloudy but warm.  I didn’t even wear my jacket I had with me.  Just a light long sleeve shirt and at home they are having an ICE storm!  Sorry KC – but so glad I’m not hassling with ICE today.    Once back at the house, Carla and I sat at the kitchen table and enjoyed some fun conversations about life, people, places and many other things, while my final load of laundry dried in the dryer.  Carla, she is a dear soul and so sweet to many.  When the dryer timer buzzed, I carried the laundry out to the living room floor and started folding.  Again, sweet Carla joined me on the floor and helped me fold it all too.  She is so funny and so sweet to help me.  She talked about not knowing what it is like to laundry for 5.  Same as doing it for 2….just more of it and probably do it more often. 

It was so fun to see her and just catch up again.  The kids and I left Carla’s around 5.  Steve had just gotten home and him and Carla had a party to attend that night.  We carried our now clean final loads of laundry out to the car, grabbed the rest of our belongings and said good bye for today.  On the way back to the campground the kids convinced me to stop and get them Freddy’s for dinner drive thru style. We called to see if Dawson wanted anything but he didn’t.  We got it to go and ate back here on the RV. 

Our evening plans – the Kids wanted to chill out and relax for a while – let it get nice and dark outside and then go to the Speedway for the Christmas Light Extravaganza…..sounds like a great plan.  We headed to the speedway lights around 7:45.  It was pretty amazing how you experience the entire place.  My personal favorite was driving on the track especially around turns 1 and 2.  The bank is so high…..it really is crazy to see it and feel on the track in a minivan!!!  GO FERCHO’S!   The lights were awesome and the beginning was themed to the 12 Days of Christmas.  It was all coordinated with music and there was a holiday fair in the middle of the track for the weekend.  It had a petting zoo, camel right, carriage rides, train ride, bouncy house, bouncy slide, craft fair, food court, campfires with smores, and a live navitity scene.  It was really pretty cool.  And there was a drive in area playing “Home Alone”  - that we stopped to watch for awhile before we drove the rest of the track and under the grandstand, all outlined with many different holiday light themes. 

It was impressive and seemed to last forever.   We had a great time and it was a good way to get us into the holiday spirit for Christmas!   I was ready to call it a night and once again when we got back to the RV we all were glad to be home and ready to go to bed!  It was a fun and enjoyable day together!
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Here is to some Holiday Cheer! Night all!
Tiffany & Crew

​Thursday, November 26, 2015
Happy Turkey Day everyone!   Count your many blessings.  Today we are so blessed to be living our dream as a family.  We are grateful for our family and friends around the country that we won’t be with physically this year but we will be with them in spirit.  We are also grateful for new friends we will meet today and celebrate Thanksgiving with here in Charolette!
Lazy morning RV style – so nice to chill and lounge.  Carla & Steve’s today….giving thanks and breaking bread with Carla and Steve and some of their close friends who are all neighbors.
We got home late last night from the Gibbs house -  so we slept in on turkey day a while.  Then we gathered up all our dirty laundry including kitchen towels, bath towels, beach towels and I even took the sheets off the beds to load up to take to Carla’s.   We gathered up some electronics, chargers, and a few fun things (crayons, coloring book) for the kids and the dog and headed on over to Carla’s for the day.  We got there around 11.  Dawson wore the boot on this foot for comfort to the still very swollen ankle.  Carla gave me a tour of upstairs as I did not go up last night to check it out.  Their house is beautiful and really very big….and they keep it so clean and well taken care of.  Carla asked if I brought laundry and I said YES, I did and it is still in the car.  I went out to the car after my tour of the upstairs -  I had to carry in the two hampers we have onboard the Fercho Voyager.  I took them in the laundry room and began to sort it all out and start the first load of 5 of them I did that day (not officially finishing it until tomorrow). 
I gave Carla’s laundry room quit a workout.  I wasn’t shy.  Very nice of them to let us use their laundry facilities.  I felt like I was back at college bringing home laundry for the weekend.  Carla said she was glad I felt comfortable enough to get it done.  I have done it at laundry mats and at houses (Jenny Belinder and Dawson’s aunt Debbie’s) so far on the trip.  Much prefer doing laundry in homes but so far it has gotten done as we have needed it done.  I use laundry today to illistrate how God does provide so much for us, and usually just as we need it, in the right place and the right time.    Laundry has been a good way for me to see HIS faithfulness at work in our lives on the road.  God has provided for us in so many other ways and lots of other examples….but for today, the laundry seems like the simplest way for me to illustrate for myself – His goodness!  He will provide but we must TRUST.  I love the feeling of getting the laundry done and even enjoyed sitting on the floor in Carla’s living room – folding the warm clothes fresh out of the dryer.
Trig and Parker skyped us from Nona and Papa’s house in KC when everyone was there.  It was fun to see all the kids and the girls had fun talking to Finn man.  We got to see Tessa Mae on her first Thanksgiving too.  She is so sweet.  We miss our family but are enjoying North Carolina!
Steve had the turkey on grill – it was a nice day outside – almost 70 degrees. I sat outside on deck – Steve was in and out checking on this grilling bird.  Man it looks amazing!  Jim, the neighbor from across the street came over.  What a great guy.  Jim lost his wife this past summer to cancer – her name was Mira an she was beautiful from the photo Carla shared with me.  My heart was heavy for him – dealing with his emotions the first Thanksgiving without his wife.  But he seemed in good spirits and liked our RV adventure.  He shared all the places that him and his wife traveled.  Pretty amazing stories too.
The kids were watching TV and playing games.  They were enjoying time off the RV.  The girls helped us get stuff ready in the kitchen to take to the neighbors house.  Around 4 pm, we headed to the neighbors house behind Jim’s house – we all carried food as Carla and Steve provided the majority of the dishes.  It was a fun caravan on feet across the street, up Jim’s driveway,  up the hill and the side yard, into Jim’s back yard, around his screened in porch and over to Klari and Victor’s home.  They are from Hungry and it was fun to listen to their accents as they greeted us and welcomed us into their home.  We met other neighbors too….Fran and Jim (yep too Jim’s) and Ann and Mike.  What a fun bunch of great people….all neighbors, all from different parts of the country and all gathered to celebrate together this feast of THANKSGIVING.  We left Summer at Carla’s and before long she said that her and Q were going to go get the dog.  Too funny – Klari wanted us to bring her.  Oh Summer – she is one very spoiled doggy!
Thanks for welcoming us to your celebration with open arms and kind hearts.  My kids even enjoyed their time over at Klari and Victors house.
We went over for the meal around 4 and stayed probably about 3 hours.  I so enjoyed my meal and wanted to eat so much more….but ran out of room at the end.  Good food, tasty wine, great people, loving connections…..it was a nice feast of Thanksgiving.  Carla said a very awesome blessing as well before we ate.  Turkey, potatoes, roast beef, salads, veggies, rolls, cheese cake, pie, oh my it was all delicious.
The kids had their own table and prior to dinner enjoyed some arm wrestling and looking at all the décor from Africa that Klari and Victor had from the years they lived there.  It was very fun stuff. 
We all cleaned up the kitchen – dividing up food and dessert for all to take home to enjoy later.  Steve and I filled up the dishwasher and cleaned up several dishes as the ladies were emptying the goodies in tupperware and plastic bags. 
I rallied the gang for some group photos before everyone started heading out.  We want to remember our new NC friends and our Thanksgiving of 2015.  Mena learned that Fran has a horse and she invited her/ us to go see it.  We will try to do that while we are here in town – maybe tomorrow sweet Mena – you know what she said “mom, let’s go now”!
Back at Carla and Steve’s the kids discovered the pool table and Dawson and Steve  - taught them to play pool.  They played for hours.  We all ended up sitting up there in the pool room/loft enjoying the evening and watching the kids get pretty good at angels learning to shoot the balls.  Good stuff.  Mena was pretty good at it….fun to watch them learn a new game and figure out strategies around the game.
We left fairly late but enjoyed our day with Carla and Steve.    We had lots of stuff to load up before we could leave – including lots of clean clothes, towels, and sheets!
Carla and Steve – Thank you for being our family today for our RV Thanksgiving on the road!  We love you both and had a fabulous time with you and all your amazing neighbors.  THANK YOU – Klari & Victor, Jim, Fran & Jim, Ann & Mike – we enjoyed spending time with you all!   So blessed our paths crossed with all of your path’s. 
So grateful for our day and blessings!
God is GOOD!
Tiffany & Fercho Crew

​Wednesday November 25, 2015
Travel day.  We got up in Roanoke Rapids to a nice day.  It was a little brisk in the am but started warming up as I took Summer out for a walk.  We started cleaning up and motivating to get the coach all cleaned up and organized to pull the slides in, empty our tanks, and get ready to roll again.  We needed propane so Dawson checked in at the office to get the tank filled.  A nice young man was working – I think his dad owned the RV park and he was fun to talk too.  He enjoyed our story of traveling with the kids and told us we would enjoy Charlotte.  He filled our tank which was just about empty and then Dawson turned the rig around and we hooked up the mini van.  I am still so nervous when we hook up that van that we do everything right.  Especially gearing it into neutral so it will roll smoothly.  I have 2x left it in park – ugggh!!!  The transmission is just going to drop out one of these days if I am not more careful.  So far we have been blessed that it is working ok.  It made a few knocking noises this week here in Roanoke Rapids but isn’t doing it now.  So we keep on truckin.

We got on the road about 10:15 am and its about a 4 -5 hour drive to down to Charlotte.  There was some holiday traffic to deal with but it was not terrible.  One thing we did notice is that the roads are relatively smooth here in North Carolina.  Not as many pot holes, construction or bumps along the way.  It is nice and noticeable, especially in our home on wheels. 

Dawson stopped at a rest area about ½ way in ……he doesn’t usually stop so I was glad that he took a rest.  Just to get up, stretch, eat and use the rest room…..it’s a good break when driving this big ol home down the road.  As we got close to Charolette, Carla told us we would experience some heavy traffic and we did.  But Dawson, once again, did very well with this thing and keeping us all safe. 

We arrived at Glenwood Acres Family RV park right by the Charolette Speedway around 3 pm.  Kristy and Phil greeted us at the office and Phil, with his green safety vest on, guided us to our spot.  Home for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  We got the coach all set up and ready for our stay.  We ate some snacks and let Carla know we were here safely.  They invited us over for the evening to hang out and say hello.  I asked about bringing Summer and “of course, Summer is welcomed”, said Carla.  So we emptied a few items out of the van and made room for everyone.  Carla and Steve literally live 4 miles down the street.  It is close and will be fairly easy to get too depending on traffic in front of the mall.

We found Carla and Steve’s house and were greeted by the two of them and a package from my mom!  Thanks mom for the mail and Christmas gifts for the kids.  We will keep them safe and wrapped until Christmas eve.  We enjoyed a nice evening with the Gibbs meeting the 3 kids and the dog and getting to know Dawson too.  Carla and I caught up on the family and what all the Morley’s are up too.  It was a really nice evening and I think we all enjoyed the comforts of their home. 

I asked Carla how she felt about me doing some laundry at her house tomorrow.  She said “bring it”.  So even though tomorrow is Thanksgiving…..I am going to get all our laundry cleaned and back in service.  I didn’t do any in Roanoke Rapids – the machines there were super small and a little pricey.  And here in Glenwood Acres – there aren’t any facilities for the laundry.  So tomorrow – I will be super thankful for Carla’s laundry room and I will say that I will appreciate MY laundry room at home so much more when I return there after this RV adventure.  Funny what you miss.  I never dreamed I would miss my laundry room at home….but with 5 of us – it is a room that I now have a fond appreciation for and will treat mine better when we return.

We showed Carla and Steve our website – so they can follow us too.  They aren’t on social media but can follow our site.  It was fun to show them some of it mostly photos from DC.  Carla was worried about Dawson’s ankle and Steve ended up giving him a boot to try for the night.  He said it felt good and relaxed his ankle and foot to wear the boot.  I think it is still really swollen but he says it feels better.
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I was also able to upload photos and catch up on the blog at Carla and Steve’s as their internet was quick and didn’t limit me like these campgrounds have been doing each day.   Internet can be a challenge.  Steve showed Dawson his workshop and got him a beer.  We all admired the wood working pieces that Steve has made all around his home.  He is very good at what he does.  Look at a few items on the photos- bowls, cutting boards, lamps, plant stand, and now he is making wine corks.  Very fun.

We enjoyed a nice evening – eating homemade pizza that Steve made and enjoying their company and the comforts of their beautiful big home.  Tomorrow we will be with them and several of their neighbors to celebrate and break bread with them for Thanksgiving.  We are so grateful to Carla and Steve for the opportunity to be with them and their friends they call family.  It will be an enjoyable and memorable time. 

The girls enjoyed some disney channel after dinner and laying on the floor and the couch.  Q was catching up with some friends with good wifi via his phone.  Steve was going to smoke grill the turkey tomorrow so he started prepping the bird after we ate.  Carla and him make a fun team and it is a fun memory to watch them interact and help one another in the kitchen.  So many memories come flooding back in my mind from Dice Lane – just by being with them.    Such amazingly fabulous, kind and giving people!  We are blessed to know them.

We had some tired kids and being that we were coming back tomorrow we decided to wrap up our first visit at Carla and Steve’s  - we are excited and looking forward to being with them tomorrow.

Back at the RV – we all were tired and called it a night.  I read a book for awhile…until my eyes wouldn’t stay open any more.  Dawson and I are reading “Harpo Speaks”.  Interesting so far.

Thank you God for our many blessings and our safe arrival in Charolette!
Tiffany & Family

​Tuesday, November 24, 2015
We slept in until about 8.  It was nice.  Mena slept with Dawson and I and I love to cuddle with her.  It was really cold last night and Dawson took Summer out this am – everything was covered with frost and it was still chilly!  He jumped back in bed for a bit just to warm up.  We heard folks leaving outside next to us.

We got moving around realized we didn’t have another jug of milk in the cooler.  I had no idea we had drank so much.  So Dawson offered to run back to Walmart to get milk and a few more muffins.  Thanks love.  I got out all the school books while he was gone and started the kids on some of it.  Mena wanted to work in the back with Dawson – if he would let her.  I was feeling better –my throat was much better but I do have bit of a head cold.  But I feel better.
Dawson got back and we all ate breakfast together.  It was fun.  Q took Summer out to the dog area to run and play awhile.  He said he wore her out when he got back. 

The sun was out and hopefully it will warm up.  We had some great school time today.  I did get some no’s but they did is all.  We read more on Christopher Columbus and everyone got on Kahn Academy today.  Mena worked on a power point about her family as she was reading about family trees.  Franki taught her some tips on automation on power point.  She wants to finish the presentation later and do another presentation tonight.  

It did begin to warm up and was in the low 50’s today.  We finalized some school work and decided to take an adventure around the river/ lake area of Roanoke Rapids.  There is a visitor center in town and I think there is a museum about the canal that was here back in the day.  They didn’t really want to go – but we needed to get out of the RV for a while and Dawson needed to make some calls.  He was also going to try to wash the outside of the RV as we have not been able to do that since we left.  Many of the RV parks say no washing your RV but this one says you are welcome to wash it here.  So we are going to take advantage of it....or Dawson is going to take advantage of it!

We grabbed some lunch at Chick fil a  - who just published our story on their website.  Check it out here:
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Story/Detail/48074

We went to the visitor center and found out the museum was pretty close.  So that is where we headed – the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail.    It was pretty educational and the guy that worked there was awesome, his name was Randall Spence.  He shared some knowledge of the trail and the area and recommend when we were done with the museum to hike part of the trail. 

The kids loved the hands on water canal that showed how the boats went up the river.  It was fun for them and they explored the exhibit for quite awhile.  We did all the exhibits and learned about the electrical plant that was the museum many years ago.   We also walked a portion of the 8 mile trail and then drove to the end of the trail and saw the lake.  That was a great tip from Randall.  It was so pretty with all the tall trees and leaves everywhere.  It was a good adventure today and water plays such a huge part in this community and it’s history.  It feels a little like the ozarks back at home…..lake like community.

Back at the RV –the kids were anxious to go to the hottub- again!   They are crazy.  The sun was beginning to set and it was cooling off again.  So I agreed to take them and I made a deal that they would all have to take a shower at the bath house when they got out of the hot tub in 20 minutes.  It was a deal – they would all be clean at one time!  Yeah and without a mess on the RV.

Back at the RV we all chilled out a little bit.  Then Summer nudged me and I took her out to play and run at the dog area.  She enjoyed it and I got her running and chasing her toy.  It was cold and the sun set was awesome and to the other side the moon was rising.  Chilly but pretty night. 

I am ready for some warmer weather – but I saw possible ice storm in the midwest this holiday.  So I guess this is better than that.  We chilled out – kids played games and hung out.  Then we made dinner and ate.  The kids all helped with the dishes and clean up and then we layed in bed and watched house fixer upper shows.    Mena brought the pc in and presented her “family report” to us all.  It was really sweet and very well done.
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Productive school day, enjoyable outting, Dawson cleaned the RV and we plan to move on tomorrow.
We are blessed and very grateful for our adventure!
Here’s to holiday time with family & friends!
Cheers,
Tiffany  

Monday, November 23, 2015
Dawson was up early to head out to drive into Raleigh Durham to meet with a client.   Before he left he walked the dog for me so I wouldn’t have to get up.  It was cloudy most the day and then the sun did break out. However, it was a pretty chilly day I don’t think it got over 42 here in NC.   He was said that the drive was pretty and relaxing especially after dealing with the traffic in DC.  He got there with plenty of time to spare. 

The kids and I got up, ate some breakfast and then started our school day.  It was pretty chilly and so we all cuddled up in a spot with blankets.  Mena took the back room, Franki took the table area and Q was on the couch area and recliner chair.  The internet access was pretty great so I was able to get the kids onto Kahn Academy and other websites for school work. 

Q ended his school day by reading a book that is on the battle of the books list back at school.  Franki ended her day in a fairly good mood – which was positive.  Mena ended her work day finishing a “state report on Virginia”.   This afternoon once Dawson is home and wrapping up this work day the kids are going to give their oral reports to Dawson and I and each other on the states they researched from the ones we were just visiting.  Quinten is reporting on Pennsyvania, Franki completed her’s on Maryland and sweet Mena is doing her’s on Virginia. 

I had a sore throat most the day and gargoled with warm salt water several times through the day.  Dawson got home around 3 and we were almost done with school.  We read some information on Christopher Columbus and his early life in Italy and how he got into being a sailor.  We will continue to read up on him.  Once we wrapped up school we took Summer down to the dog walk area and let her run.  It was really cold out and I was developing a head ache. Once back in the RV we needed to be quiet while daddy finished his calls and his work day.  We got out the blankets and pillows and laid down to watch some TV and relax.  I feel asleep being that I didn’t feel good – so once Dawson was done with work he recommended I go back to the bed for awhile but first he thought I should gargol with peroxide and mouthwash.  I did it and it burned – I don’t love that ….but I could feel it working on the sore area.  I went to the back bed and feel asleep. 
Dawson hung out with the kids, cleaned up all the dishes from our day on the RV and made them dinner.  At some point he found water leaking under the sink.  And he proceeded to go into his freak out mode of too much stuff …..why is this in here, what is that…..on and on.  I heard him and decided it best to just stay in bed and pretend to be still asleep. 

They all had family time together and I stayed in bed.  The cold weather, my sore throat, this secluded RV park, and the holiday ahead away from home and then his “freak out” on my house keeping skills just got me in a bit of a funk.  I was feeling my emotions welling up inside…..the drunk monkey in my head (or the negative talk that happens to us all)  it was saying “like really what are we doing out here?”…..then my mind would say …..”it’s your nutty idea”, “your never satisfied”, “what are you looking for”, “maybe you should all go home”, “your messing up your kids” , “your not a good teacher”, “your such a baby”, etc, etc, etc.  It’s so hard to shut it off or flip it back to the positive side once it gets going. 

I was upset enough that when Dawson came back into the bedroom, I ended up saying something like “do we need to just go home”?  He was disappointed in my comment.  He said it’s only been not yet 2 months.  And that hit me….it hasn’t even been 2 months.  I think it was more the energy that he creates towards me when he gets bent out of shape…..he agreed that he does that…..it is so weird but so real.  Anyway, I knew I didn’t feel well and I don’t want to be sick and pass it around to the others.  So I think that was more the issue than anything else. I just need to rest and sleep it off- and hope the "downer attitude" goes away with my cold.

After the kids and Dawson ate dinner they were eager to do their reports.  It was really fun to sit back in the back room together and set up space for the presenter.  Mena went first, then Franki and last was Q.  They all three did a really great job and presented some really good information.   We all learned a lot about all 3 of the states. The East part of our country has so much amazing history.  It is so much more meaningful to learn about a state when you have actually been there.  I was so proud of them and I think Dawson was pretty impressed with their information, knowledge and overall reports.  It really helped me get back into a better place as you then realize how awesome the kids are and even when it doesn’t feel like they are learning anything – they are!  They did amazing and for the grades tonight – Dawson agreed – they all got A’s!
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We layed in bed and finished watching Nemo.  Every one then got ready for bed, brushed teeth, we made Q a bed and tucked everyone in for the night.  Dawson doesn’t have to leave tomorrow so we will all be here in the am.  Hoping for sunshine and warmer weather.  We do have a few neighbors that rolled into the park tonight but most of them will take out tomorrow.  This is a stopping spot along highway 95 for many travelers.
Good night all!
Tiffany

​Sunday, November 22nd, 2015
Up with Summer – Mena and I were the only ones to say good bye as the Martin’s were almost packed up.   They had their pop-up camper all pressed down and the dogs in the car ready to go.  Summer and I went over to say bye and when I got back to the RV – Mena was up and wanted to go say goodbye to Wyath, Rowan, Finn, Tripper, Milo, Meg & Eric.  What a fun family.  Hope they have a great time in Myrtle Beach.  It was amazing how many RV’s left the park today enroute to warm weather and Thanksgiving holiday fun.  By mid day we were practically alone down here at D8. 

It started raining mid morning and it proceeded to rain all day- this called for lazy family time.  We left Q’s bed out all day to lounge on and watched several movies and some football.  I updated this blog and hung out with Dawson and the kids and just enjoyed some much needed down time.  It was relaxing and restful and I think a few naps were had as well. 
We watched “Field of Dreams” –it was on the satelite station this evening.  It was really fun to see the movie after visiting the field during the first weekend of our trip.  So cool to see the movie and the field and say we were there.  And the benches that are in the movie – we sat on and also ran the bases.  So fun.    

Might be a little lonely here this week but well see – Dawson has an appointment tomorrow and we will see if any of his other potential clients come through for Tuesday.  If not, we might leave earlier for Charlotte and maybe go via a coastal route or something.  We’ll see.

We are going to do school all week at least until the holiday.  It will be good because there aren’t too many distractions here.  Other than a hot tub!  Dawson and I took Summer for an afternoon walk once the rain stopped.  We decided to take an afternoon dinner outing and divide up.  He was going to take Franki to dinner and spend sometime on a date with her and I would take Q and Mena somewhere. 

They picked Applebee’s and Q and Mena and I ended up at a Seafood place called the Mayflower.  We had crab legs and those are not easy to eat.  So Dawson and Franki were done practically after we had just ordered.  So they hung out and then decided to walk to Walmart across the street.  The two of them at Wallyworld alone could be dangerous.  They started sending us photos of things asking what we needed.  Too funny – they sent a photo of Franki sitting in a bean bag chair that they think we need for the RV. 

We finally devoured all our crab legs – what a mess – but it was fun for Q and Mena to see who could get the biggest chunk of crab meet out of the legs.  Mena won as her little fingers were able to grab and pull it out almost all at once. 
We paid our bill, stopped to wash our hands in the restroom prior to our departure.  We then headed to pick up Dawson and Franki.  It took them awhile to make their way out.  They bought a few items like some muffins, sewing kit, and toilet chemicals.   We headed home to walk Summer and see what we could find to watch tonight as the Red Box didn’t have anything to offer. 

Once home – guess who thought they needed some “HOT TUB” time?  The kids….their suits were still out in range since we used them in DC at Cherry Hill.  It was pretty chilly outside and there was a lot of steam coming off the water in the hot tub that at this RV park was outside.  It was cool to be sitting outside with steam running of them.  They stayed in about 20 minutes and I sat there talking to my mom on the phone while they had some hot tub fun. 
I took advantage of some me time-  a hot shower and let them all settle in for the night.  I don’t know what we ended up watching but we called it a fairly early night.  Dawson headed to the bath house and got some alone time for himself.
It was a great restful Sunday – the way I think God intended for it to be!
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Here’s to a Holiday Week ahead!
Cheers from North Carolina,
Tiffany & Fercho Crew

​Saturday, November 21, 2015
Happy Birthday to our friend Jake Wagner!  Hope you have a great day of celebrations!  You are one amazing person and we are blessed to have met you on this journey!
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We had committed to getting up early and getting an early start out of DC.  Dawson’s phone alarm chimed early at 6:30 I think.  I had left some of the window blinds up to let the morning light help us rise and shine as well.  It was pretty clear but cool morning and we were welcomed outdoors for Summer’s walk to a beautiful sunrise. 

I started the inside chores of moving and storing things to be able to pull the slides in.  Dawson started the outdoor packing of emptying tanks, and rolling up hoses, storing outdoor chairs and fun stuff like that.  The kids got up and ready on their own and even got themselves a light breakfast of cereal and fruit.  The girls took out to walk down to see Kaia and Tara and Ginger.  They are ready to move on but wish we didn’t have to leave their friends!  Q actually helped his dad with a few of the outdoor chores of emptying tanks and what not.  He is really gotten to be a good help to his dad.

We did well getting everything done in good time.  We are still rookies but getting the routine down.    We had a bit of a chore getting our hydrolic lifts to retract all the way back up so that the alarm  would quit beeping at us.   I really think they were just cold this morning as it dropped down into the 30's last night.  We were able to use our feet to push on it as it was going up.  Thankfully the last one cooperated and the coach was ready to roll again after sitting 2 weeks.  Dawson started the engines and determined his exit strategy out of our spot on the hill.  We found flatter ground after pulling up and around the hill and were able to attach the van.   We headed over to the Karleen’s to get the girls and give our final round of hugs and our final good-bye.  We feel so blessed that our path’s crossed with Dan and Tara and Charlie and Kaia.  They are wonderful people and a fun family that sees things a lot like we do.  They are considering meeting us in Florida in a month!  That would be a kick.  I hope they can pull it off.  If not, we believe we will see them again…..they are always welcomed at our house in KC and they are the kind of people that would love our rustic cabin up in the mountains of southern Colorado.  Please come West sometime once we get home, Karleen’s. 

Richmond, Virginia – RV to the Kenworth truck dealership for routine maintenance …..so we had to find something to do for the next 4 hours.  We had lunch at IHOP….kids pick.  It was warmer here in Richmond but still cool enough to leave Summer in the car for awhile while we ate.  Then I looked at the GPS for a park where we could run the dog and the kids.  We stumbled back in time to a colony from the mid 1600’s it was really cool.  Here is where we ended up and it was a fascinating day of some early american history along the bank of the river!  We learned a lot from the folks dressed up and interacting from that time and place.  Check out the website:  http://henricus.org/history/ 
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We left the park to head back to the Kenworth dealership to see if the RV was done and to hook the car back up and head on down 95 to North Carolina.  Larry and Doug said the RV looked good and gave Dawson a list of all the parts needed to change the oil.  They completed a 120 point check on the rig and said it looked great.    We had a few more hours on the road to get to our next stop in North Carolina.

As we exited the highway to get to the RV park - we were greeted by an amazing sunset.  At the RV park in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina we pulled in just prior to dark and got all set up. Mena and I took Summer to the off leash dog park to run.  There we met a young boy named Wyath and his dog Milo.  Milo was a super cool labordoodle – he was white with brown spots, very cool.  Wyath was here with his family enroute to Mrytle Beach for the holiday week ahead.  They were in a pop up camper.  It was his parents, Meg and Eric and his brothers Rowan and Finn and the two big dogs, Milo and Tripper.  They were from Pennsylvania and were super fun.  We all hung out at the gazebo in front of or RV – fun bonus to have.  I added our rope lights we purchased at one of our home depot outings several weekends ago.    That added light to the already very dark sky.  We enjoyed getting to know them a little bit.  They went to get some dinner and then we went in to eat.  They asked if we wanted to hang out a little when they get back.  Oh course that would be fun.  They all took a tour of our RV and we hung out until around 10. They are early risers and are going to leave pretty early. 

I didn't get a picture of them and I think their last names where Martin.  But I did give Meg our website and can't wait for her to connect with us so we can keep in touch.  We hope you all have a marvelous time in Myrtle Beach and have an amazing family Thanksgiving to cherish and remember for years to come!  We were impressed with your fun positive attitudes and sense of adventure.
Here's to "only living once"!  It was our pleasure to meet all of you Meg, Eric, Wyath, Rowan, Finn, Tripper and Milo
We hope our path's cross again.
Cheers,
​Tiffany