July 5, 2025-July State Parks Trip

(click for today's pictures) 

• Our morning started early-I folded laundry first because there were a few last minute things that the kids needed to pack. Then I went to wake up Campbell and Keaton. I waited a few minutes and then woke up Whitman.
• I went back downstairs to empty the dishwasher and could hear Keaton and Campbell already moving around. I knew that Whitman had gone back to sleep, so I went back up there to make sure that he was getting up. He did get out of bed, but when I came upstairs for one more check, Whitman was quietly closing his bedroom door while holding his backpack and suitcase....EXCEPT he had Anderson's suitcase and backpack. 
• Campbell had to be at church at 7:30 so we left with Keaton and Whitman also. We dropped off Campbell and went to run a few errands while we waited on the next drop off. I had to go to Walmart to pick up some cream for Graham's foot and a water bottle for Anderson before they left. 
• We were actually back at church when Campbell and her vans departed. They made it to Cincinnati later than all the other mission trip goers, but I know that she stopped at ChickFilA for lunch. She also said that she had a good travel day.
• Next we dropped Whitman and Keaton off at church so they could head to Starkville. None of my other people seemed so little when it was time to drop them off at mission trips-but my baby boy Whitman seems tiny. Plus there are so many things for him to remember-phones, chargers, credit cards, gracious! Thankfully, he has Keaton there with him.
• They had lunch at ChickFilA, and Keaton had text trying to figure out if she should order their food on the app. Plus she sent me a picture of Whitman and Carter this evening. Keaton said that they had a good day-and had a lot of time to play this evening.
• Anderson and Graham had to be at the airport at 12:30 to catch their flights to San Diego. Their first flight was a bit delayed, but they only had one gate to walk to the next flight. My friend on the flight said that the turbulence was a lot on the first flight. Anderson did write each time that they landed which was sweet.
• As soon as we dropped the big boys off, we came home and said bye to Reagan and Odelia. They were headed to Target and then I think that the plan was to play pickleball tonight. Robby and I pulled out in the camper and headed to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. 
• The drive was very pretty, and it was nice to not be on the interstate for way too long. It was fairly warm when we pulled into the state park and checked in at the lodge. We found our site, unhooked the car, and parked. 
• Robby and I walked to check out the big train that is parked almost right in front of us. We watched the little train drive by, and then we looked at all of the other campsites. We have a pretty decent spot here-not the best, but it was decent enough for us. 
• Robby and I heated up some of our leftover poppyseed chicken, and then we walked up to the lodge with Bentley. The weather was pretty cool tonight considering that it is July. On our way back to the camper, we took a little adventure. 
• We spotted a trail. It was in the general direction of the camper, and there was vague map-so we just headed off down the trail. It was incredibly well maintained plus there were yellow flowers growing along the edge. It was nice-except that I was pretty considered that we were going to get ourselves lost in the dark. Thankfully, the trail ended at the end of the campground loop. 
• We walked back to the camper, and it was still light outside. Robby and I turned on the American Made movie since we were near Mena, and all was going well...until I found one and then two ticks crawling on me.
• Bentley was sitting right between us so we inspected her. We got at least 4 more ticks off of her-they hadn't bitten her and were just crawling on her. I guess this means that her flea and tick meds work. However, just as the vet told me-her meds cause the ticks to walk off of her and onto us. Maybe I need her flea and tick medicine.
• Robby and I paused the movie and took her outside and brushed the mess out of her. We then brought her back inside and did one more inspection before continuing the movie. Hopefully, we were able to get all of them off of her. Now, the movie has just finished, so it is time to head to bed!