Adult problems.

The Webbs got a notice from the city a few days ago saying they'd be charged $3500 if we didn't comply to their codes. Basically we can't have water hookups in our rv.

I have been so stressed and overwhelmed with the road that God has put us in, I'm surprised I don't have ulcers. I have been pushed to my limits, in trusting in Him to know we will be ok. But when I look at my two boys, and think "wow we are living in an rv..." I feel sad and angry that I am not giving them a more comfortable life, that they each don't have their own rooms, that we don't have a nice sized kitchen or a living room to run around in when it rains. I get overwhelmed too easily, too frustrated with our circumstances. I need to stop and enjoy the small things and to see the bigger blessings that God has given us. Like a farm. A garden. A Godly married couple to look up to during these overwhelming times. A chance to rid ourselves of clutter. Closer quarters to cuddle my boys and girl and husband. A home we can get up and move whenever we want. I just have to stop and notice it. And trust me it's hard.

Rowan just pushed out a poop. I'm our like trout.

P.s. I know everything will work out...I just needed to vent that.

A Thursday Morning...

Well my mom burnt her foot last night while I was at Cereal Fest with Crystal and Eli. She was making some boiled eggs, poured the boiling water into a full sink, water splashed off some dishes and pored onto her foot. Poor gal, it's got a decent sized blister (ick) and so when I went back to her house she informed me I'd be picking up taylor from work. He texted at 11:30 saying he wouldn't need to be picked up till 1, so Weenums got to spend the night. Fun evening all around.

Cereal Fest in itself was fun. Cereal, fellowship. We played kick ball in the already warm and muggy gym then took it outside to play some water games with a mop head. Gotta keep youth group classy. Next week we raft the Clackamas and in just 2 weeks it's summer retreat!

Oh yeah, the kittens stormed my rv!

The Aniversery Hike

Today (July 23) Taylor and I began our first overnight hammock camping trip for our 5 year anniversary. We woke up at 7 am struggled out of bed around 7:30, made last minute packing changes and then we were off. Of course our trips couldn't be a trip without forgetting something and having to go to Walmart in Troutdale. Our plan was simple, to head to horsetail falls past multnomah falls and hike up the trail to Oneonta trailhead and do a loop that had some beautiful Vistas and waterfalls. The hike itself was grueling, why did I pick a place that was classed as a difficult double diamond hike? Not only that, my pack had to weigh about 15 pounds more than Taylor's. Who's idea was it to carry all the food!? We clamored through steep switchbacks, or zig zagging paths over rocky terrain. We kept passing and being passed by these two ladies who once offered us some dried mango to which I weezed "noooo....thank you though." The forest was beautiful, the sky partly cloudy which made it nice and cool. After what seemed like hours, because it was, we came to the trailhead that we had been waiting for. The Oneonta pass was dead ahead! We would be able to cross Devils Backbone, a breathtaking ridge with some beautiful views. But did we make it? No. We ended up going off and not being able to find the trail, instead we clamored up an even steeper switchbacked trail, that after climbing straight up for an hour and half, we realized it wasn't right and we had just scaled a random mountain without any beautiful views to reward us. My body was about to give out, I don't know how I had made it as far as I did! My knees were shaking, I was sick to my stomach and my whole body ached and throbbed. I was in a bad place. We decided to call it good and turn around and descend what we had so slowly climbed up. Even though we were going down hill my body had just had enough. We were about to reach the bottom, where a campground lay and our soon to be spot of rest when Taylor made me let him carry my pack. What a hunk. But just as he started running ahead, holding 2 hiking packs on his back and shoulders, these two ladies turned the corner. They said something to Taylor and he said "Oh my wife got tired." I had just taken my shoes off, because my feet were muddy and it was hard to walk and these ladies looked up at me with expressions saying "what a weak sap". Ah well, I smiled at them and passed, ready to sling my body in a nice cool hammock.  We found the campsite a few minutes later. Taylor set up our hammocks while I made a fire and we had some bean and cheese burritos. Uh...yum! The only reason I was greatful for hulking all the stuff in my pack around, was for how good the food was. We then popped open two small boxed wines and toasted our anniversary! Then, at 7 pm I said goodnight to Taylor and went to my hammock and fell asleep. I slept from 7 to 7. 12 hours. It was beautiful. I woke up (July 24th) sweaty and a little chilled, but in all it was so nice! We then boiled water for some homemade oatmeal "packets" which were better than the real thing. So gooood! Then about an hour later we made lunch (lol). We had ravioli with pesto sauce and shaved parmesean cheese and a cup of hot coffe. As I cooked Taylor packed up. The we left. Our small camp of rest. Our bodies sore the previous days brutal accent. But it was worth it. It took half the time getting back to the van and this time we stopped and put  our heads in Horsetail Falls. So refreshing! In all, the mountain won but we learned our limits and now we are at home licking
our wounds.

Back at it...

Got woken up from a deep sleep to Eli grabbing my face and shaking it like a box of cereal. He then looked like he was about to cry and mumbled "where's grandma. I miss her..." Then he crawled up next to me and cuddled. Sometimes I have to look past the rude awakening and love the little moments.

Alissa...it's been a while since you've mentioned that you come on here to see if I have posted anything...and it had been so long since I had written anything that I felt weird and out of place. But I have miss so many memories...I guess it's time to get back at it!

I have had my 3rd kiddo. Rowan Grace Hicks.
Beautiful brown eyes and soft brown hair. A contagious smile. Happier than Eli but a mirror twin of Liam.  Sleeps like a literal baby and only gets grumpy when her brothers shove their faces in her face or if she is hungry.

I am so scared to see her as a teenager. I have already noticed her attachment to the men. I'll be holding her and daddy or grandpa will walk into her line of site and she wants to fly out of my arms to them. Watch out future boys...she does have 2 older brothers and a dad with tattoos...and me...

The biggest change since last I wrote is that we live in an RV now. A 1989 windstar. What a 'bute! The engine turns on great, and nice tiny kitchen, a couch that when you sleep on it you feel like you just rolled on a gravely ground all night, a bed in the back that...if you can believe it...is worse than the couch, a broken bathroom, a non-working fridge and windows everywhere! I love it. I have moments that I hate it. But God has placed us here for a reason. I see it as training for future Missionary work, and currently Patience and Endurance. God's hand will always be in our lives, but sometimes it's hard to look through the difficult circumstances to see where His plan is heading or if He is even there. (Thank you Lord for this chance to be tried and tested in a new and unique way...)
We started out living at my mother-in-laws house which had it's own adventures. But after a few weeks someone must have reported us or the city just took note and gave us a deadline to move. Thankfully God placed in our loves an amazing family. The Webbs. They serve God, through hospitality, in the most tangible way. They opened up their home and farm to us and we went from living in an apartment with a gravel driveway to a 5 acre farm in the span of 2 months. We get to hang out with Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Alpaca, now 2 horses (Hucle Buckle is being fostered), a cat, 3 Kittens, 3 dogs and pigs (I named one Phyllis....) In all, God has greatly blessed us.

What does God have in store for my family? I don't know, but I take encouragment that He knows what He is doing and His plan is His and for His glory.

Thanks Alissa, BTW, for being such an amazing and beautiful friend. I love it when you visit me on the farm...and can't wait to bombard your home with all my kids sometime soon. See you at the park tomorrow! Love you :)

Peace out Blogspot. Until next year....