This morning Joey missed the bus! He was sitting by the window with instructions to watch for the Big Yellow School Bus and somehow it got by him and stopped at the house and left without him!  I was a little irritated because now I would have to drive him- and it's 20 miles ONE WAY, so that is a bit of a drive. Thankfully Papa Perkins drove Joey to school for me- I realize that this is all new to Joey and so I am trying to be patient with him.
    Tonight Grams is watching the kids- Chris and I are going on a DATE. Wow. What are we going to do? I would like to say the possibilites are endless, but this is Edmore. 
    

Joey had his first day yesterday- Chris took him to school (18 miles one way!) and walked him in to make sure he did not get lost. Joey was excited because he gets to eat breakfast as well as lunch at school. Yesterday he ate french toast sticks for breakfast, yum!
    Joey rode the bus home yesterday. It pulled up in front of Grandma and Grandpas house and off he walked, a bunch of little kids waving goodbye to him, it was so cute.
      Yesterday I got my hair cut, highlighted, eyebrows waxes and nails filled for a grand total of....76$!!!!! WOW! That is cheap compared to Charleston. I will have to take advantage of that while I am living here. It will no doubt be a lot more expensive to do all of that in Oahu!
     Chris and I drove to East Lansing yesterday to pick up the 5th wheel from Giletts where it had been serviced. We drove it back to the farm where it is parked, waiting to be driven down to the pond where it will stay for the summer of camping and bon-fires. Right now it is way to wet and muddy to drive down to the pond- it has been raining, raining, raining! Today it is at least sunny, but still pretty cold- 50 degrees or so.

It has been a busy, busy weekend. We arrived in Michigan on Friday- the rest of our drive went fine with the exeption on a flat tire in Ohio- But luckily it happened at a convienent spot (in front of a Starbucks!) and NOT on the side of the freeway. Chris had to drive around and look for a better Jack to Jack up the vehicle so we lost about 2 hours of time. BUT, I had a Starbucks Americano so it actually wasn't that bad.
    Everyone was so glad to arrive at Grandma and Grandpa Perkins house! All the Aunts and Uncles and Cousins came to see us this weekend. It was so great to see everyone! Joey and Sophie and Evangeline love playing with their cousins.
     I have been having some neck pain- I am pretty sure the roller coaster and Dollywood messed up my neck- Saturday I couldn't move it, Sunday and Monday were better but now Tuesday it is pretty stiff once again- I will be going to the Chiropractor and hopefully get up back in line. 
      We took Joey and enrolled him in Web Elementary yesterday. We got a tour of the school (it is actually the old high school where I graduated back in '97.) Joey met his teacher and we filed out all his paperwork. So TODAY is Joey's first day. Hid Dad will take him to school this morning and  after today the Bus will stop right here at Grandma's and pick him up and drop him off. He is excited to ride the bus.  School is over May 28th so he had about a month of school here in  Michigan.

Wow! Where to begin?  We had a long, fun day. We arrived at Dollywood around 10:15am this morning. We took our double jogger stroller so we would have a spot to put our bags and kids- but Vangie wanted to walk most of the time. The weather was beautiful! A high of 82 degrees- the Park was awesome! It was NOT crowded at all, and the park was SO clean and SO nice. This park is honestly WAY nicer than Disney- less crowded, cleaner and the people there are SO nice. I recommend Dollywood to EVERYONE, you MUST come here at least once!
    There is so much to do in Dollywoood that I cannot begin to describe it all- The first thing we did was take the kids to "Small Time Carnival" where there was a Ferris Wheel, and all sorts of small town fair type rides. The kids rode lots of things- the scrambler, bumper cars.... Grandma Perkins and I avoided any "spinny rides" because those make us SICK- but Chris, Joey and Sophie loved them!
   After a couple of hours there we rode the train- a REAL steam engine- one of the very few left-  It actualy uses coal! On a typical day it burns through 5 tons of coal a day, uses 5,000 gallons of water and hauls 5,000 people. The views in Dollywood are so amazing- since it is in the Great Smokey Mountains the location is priceless.
   We ate lunch at a great buffet so everyone could get what they wanted. ( the food was outstanding!) After lunch Grandma Perkins, Chris and I rode the big roller coaters. I got sick! I cannot take roller coasters anymore! I was deathly ill for about an hour before I began to feel better.   After that the kids and Chris rode a few more rides and we didn't get out of the park until 6pm. A very busy day! Right now it is 7pm and Chris has the kids down at the hotel pool- they all feel asleep on the way home from Dollywood but still woke up and demanded to go to the pool- "But you promised!!!"
   Tomorrow we are leaving here early- around 6am- for our drive back to Michigan. We will probably stop by our old Fowlerville neighborhood to see our old house and visit with some old friends!

(Chris substituting for Laura while Laura gets ready to go to Dollywood)

Hello everyone.  It is Thursday morning and we are in Pigeon forge.  It's been a busy week.  Since Laura's last post Monday morning a lot has happened.  On Monday, we dropped our van off in the scary part of downtown Charleston.  The place we left the van at was really nice though and is a government facility where everyone ships their vehicle.  So now our van will be loaded on a car carrier and trucked over to California where it will subsequently be placed on a ship and floated over to Hawaii.  It should get there around the end of May which is well ahead of our arrival.  On Monday we also moved in to a 4 bedroom Villa which are basically base housing hotels since all of our stuff was packed up except for our 10 suitcases and leftover food and chemicals which couldn't get packed.  This also afforded us the opportunity to clean up the house more for our move out inspection, something we will never do again.  We will definitely pay them the $275 to pay and go next time.  This is where they clean for you because Laura and I definitely did at least $1000 worth of cleaning.   Laura's mother arrived Monday evening and couldn't believe how big the kids were since she hadn't seen them in over 5 months.  

On Tuesday the movers came to crate our stuff and load it on the truck.  They brought 6 crates for our stuff and a seventh for Backup.  As the day went on with the 4 movers, they started to realize that not only were they going to need the seventh crate, but that they were going to need an eighth crate.  By the end of the day, our movers went from four to eight as guys from other moves were sent over.  I guess we had much more than they estimated, somewhere around 9,000 lbs.  During the time the movers were at the house, Laura took the girls and her mother on a 4 mile loop around the golf course on base and said good-bye to friends and neighbors and I finished cleaning up last minute things like the refrigerator and floors.  By about 4:30, the movers were gone and we went out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Charleston, Poblanos.  Afterwards we went to Coldstone for Desert and everyone got a kids cone, even the adults, except for me, I got a shake so it wouldn't be as messy and I wouldn't have to eat it fast to prevent it from melting.  On a side story for Tuesday:-------------------------------------------Tuesday morning Sophia had to go #2 and didn't tell anyone.  She did what she had to and flushed the toilet which didn't exactly flush.  She screamed for help and we were able to hold back the flood waters before the bowl overflowed.  Since there was no plunger in the place, I used to toilet bowl cleaner brush to try to free the excess use of toilet paper and since Joey had to get to school, I determined that we would just let it sit for the day and try again later since there were 2 bathrooms.  Well, later that day, when Laura brought the girls back for their nap and I was still with the movers, she heard the toilet flush and immediately screamed “DON’T FLUSH THETOILET!” But it was to late….(Edited by Laura….  When I saw the huge flow of poopy water flooding the bathroom I screamed OH SH%T!!!!” But I don’t think this was over-reacting, I mean that’s exactly what was happening….) .  Once again, Sophia had gone #2 in the clogged toilet and this time there was no stopping the flood.  There was poop water an inch deep in the bathroom which leaked out into the carpeted hallway.  So needless to say, Laura and her Mom had to stop the water and clean up the mess and after dinner we stopped at the store and bought a plunger and the problem was fixed.

Wednesday was our departure date so Joey went to school for a half day and Sophie went for her full day( which was only until 11:30am) .  I dropped off our cable and modem at Comcast and did our move out inspection.  We pulled Joey out of school at 11 and picked up Sophie at 11:30 and headed for Pigeon Forge.  Joey rode with me in the Camaro and the girls rode with Mommy and Grandma.  Joey was kind of sad when we left school but you could sense his mixed emotions. The sadness you feel when you leave good friends behind but the excitement of something new.  He didn't cry or anything but he said he felt like it and was trying not too when his class said good-bye.  I don't think Sophie really knew what was going on. She knows were moving but she's Sophie.  She just kind of goes with the flow to some extent as long as it doesn't affect her at that second in time.  

We arrived in Pigeon Forge at 5 last night after a 350 mile drive and today we are headed to Dollywood.  We will be leaving for Michigan tomorrow morning(Friday) and it should take about 10 hours to do the last 550 miles of our drive.        

Yesterday was our last Sunday here in South Carolina! We stayed really busy and packed a lot in.

We went to the early service at 8:30am and said goodbye to our church. Goodbye St.Timothy's! We'll miss you! Everyone was excited for us to learn we were moving to Hawaii. Some people had even lived there in the past (ex-military).

After Church we went straight to Vangie's favorite place in the world: Chuck E. Cheese! We got there around 10:30am and it was NOT crowded (if you can believe THAT!) We all had a blast playing games and eating pizza. Joey even won 100 tickets at ONCE on a game- so in the end we had 800 tickets and the kids were able to get a small toy. Normally my kids NEVER get one of those cheap "clutter" toys, BUT since it was our last time here I allowed it- am I nice or what?

After Chuck E Cheese we drove to the shoe store so Mommy could get a new pair of running shoes. And then we drove home and rode our Bikes to the Movie Theater on Base. Check out the picture on the right and the "Bike Train" that Chris created- he is towing Joey on the Tow-along AND Sophie in the bike cart! Vangie is sitting in her bike seat behind me.  You should have seen some of the looks we got from people- it was so funny!

The movie we saw was "Hotel for Dogs". My review on this movie: Each of my children each OWE me 2 hours of their life to make up for me having to sit though this! But at least THEY enjoyed it.

Once the movie was over we rode the long way home through the enlisted housing, around the RV park and back through the woods- we remembered when we first moved here over a year ago and how little the kids were- this year they have all changed so much.

At home the kids went off to play on the playground. Vangie had exploding diareah on the playground, and Chris had to extract her (covered with poo) and give her an emergency bath!

At night we put the girls to bed at 7pm- and we usually let Joey stay up until 8:30pm- (We think he deserves this since he is the oldest and puts up with his two sisters all day!) Last night we taught him how to play Yahtzee- and he did really well!

The movers came yesterday and packed......everything! Basically everything that I did not specifically put aside to NOT be packed was put in a brown box and taped shut. INCLUDING the dirty clothes basket filled with dirty clothes!!! I went upstairs to grab it so I could wash the clothes and it was... gone! I had to ever so nicely ask the mover lady to help me find it so I could open it up and get the clothes out.

So now we are living off paper plates, plastic silverware and out of suitcases. It's the beginning of our adventure!

This morning we went to the gym where I ran 7 miles on the treadmill and Chris chatted with his friends and pretended to workout. The kids played in the kid zone area and Joey was upset when we had to leave because he was having fun playing video games.  Then we went to Wal-mart  and I got some stuff to keep the kids (hopefully) occupied on the (18 hour) road trip to Michigan. Crayons and coloring books, a small etch-a-scetch, three candy necklaces...basically whatever I could find! They also each got a new toy because all of the old ones are packed up!

Our pack out is 6 days away! The movers are actually coming TOMORROW to start the pack out before the weekend. Chris will take the trampoline apart today so it can be packed up. I need to take all the pictures down off the walls...

Since we are shipping our van to Hawaii, Grandma Perkins is driving a vehicle down from Michigan to pick us up! She will arrive on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday we leave for PIGEON FORGE, TN and DOLLYWOOD!! We are going to have a little family fun on our way home!  We are staying Wed and Thurs night in a hotel with an Indoor pool ( I haven't told the kids yet, they will be SO excited!)

The picture to the right is Joey and his Uncle Tuan... I think it is so cute!

Today Sophie's Pre-School class is going on a field trip to Boone Plantation where they will pick strawberries! I volunteered to be a chaperon so I am also driving my van and some of her classmates. Sophie is excited I am going. We were supposed to go last two weeks ago but it was cancelled due to rain. Its not raining today but it WILL be muddy so Sophie is going to wear her rain boots.

Yesterday Vangie had a check-up with her "poop Doctor" ie her pediatric gastrologist. She was very bloated and backed up with a lot of stool. I feel bad because I know she has been eating a lot of junk food (but it was spring break!) and that sort of food doesn't have much fiber and doesn't get digested very well. She needs to eat more fiber, fruits and veggies. She also needs to take her miralax (prescription laxative) more regularly. It is hard because out of all my kids she is such a sugar freak. ANYTHING sugary and she is happy. She has to be really hungry (ok, starving) to eat any vegetable.  I told Chris that he needs to eat his junk food - because the only reason we HAVE any junk food around here is because of HIM- away from the kids. I don't mind if they have a dessert at night after a good meal, but no more snacking on cookies and candy all day. -Sorry kids!

I hae posted some pics on the left of the Easter Egg Hunt that Aunt Sherry and Uncle Brian had for the kids at thier house. It was so much fun- the kids found the eggs and were so excited to see what was inside each one. They have the best Aunt and Uncle in the world!

There is so much to do when you move.

Forward your mail!   Cancel your phone/Internet/cable! Tell everyone your new address! (If you even know it, which we don't...)  Get the kids school/dental/medical records taken care of!

Return your library books and pay all your fines! Get a hotel reserved for your last night when everything will be boxed and partially on the moving truck! Make sure you have enough food for your last week but not too much food so some will go bad and spoil!

Go through your stuff and see what you want to take with you on the plane and what stuff can be packed away for 3 months! Do the same for your three kids and husband! Get on the housing list in Hawaii! Schedule your final walk through of the house you're still in! Clean said house so you won't fail your walk through!

Disassemble some furniture so the movers don't do it and lose all your pieces! Get your files secured so you have all the paperwork you need in route! Have your Van shipped overseas! Say good bye to all your friends!

Go through everything and throw all the junk/clutter/stuff you don't really need AWAY! Sell your washer and dryer because they already have them in the housing in Hawaii! Get the dogs vet records and make sure she is up-to-date!

I am exhausted just reading my list!  The good news is some of the above is already done, and the rest will get done this week because the movers are coming next Monday and Tuesday.

We had such a great time in Orlando. It was so great to see all our family. The kids had SO MUCH FUN! They did not want to leave.

They loved going over to their Great Nana and Great Grandpa's house- they always love to go over there and talk about it all the time. Joey and Sophie liked playing with the keyboard and Vangie loved the rocking horse.

We went to Uncle Brian and Aunt Sherry's house- we ate yummy food and the kids had an Easter Egg Hunt and got to take a bath in Aunt Sherry's BIG tub!  They loved seeing their Grandpa Barney and Grandma Diane and cousin Jacob- Joey and Jacob really hit it off, by the end of the night they were wrestling!

We visited with Chris's Vietnamese Grandpa- the kids enoyed seeing him and playing in his house.

The kids also loved staying and Granama Tuy and Grandpa Bob's house- they slept together in a big bed and played with old tuys they left there and new toys they got while there were there. We had such a great time visiting with everyone.

Thank you everyone for such a great visit!- I will be adding more pictures later today!

Monday was a really fun day for the Schmitt Kids. First they colored easter eggs- even Vangie got in on the action by dipping her eggs in different colors. The kids decorated 18 eggs because the Easter Bunny was set to come THAT afternoon! I called the Easter Bunny and told him we would not be here for Easter so he agreed to come on Monday.

That afternoon Daddy took Joey and Sophie golfing! They got to ride in the golf cart- and Joey even got to drive it! They also got to eat chips while Daddy golfed. Mommy did not have such a good time- she stayed home to start in on the Moving Cleaning checklist- the worst part about moving! She cleaned the oven, behind the stove and behind the fridge. It was pretty gross.

The Easter Bunny hopped on over to the Schmitt house while the kids were golfing. He scattered candy filled eggs all over! He also left each child a HUGE stuffed animal! Way to go Easter Bunny.

We are set to leave for Orlando tomorrow at 8am, we can't wait to see everyone.

Yesterday we were getting ready for church when I noticed that the girls were both REALLY tired. They have not been getting to bed as early as usual and they have been waking up pretty early. PLUS their Daddy has been home more which means they have been doing more and not taking naps as much. Instead of going to church we laid them both down for a nap which was the right decision because they both slept for at least 2 hours.
    Around 1:15 we biked to the Base theater and saw a movie. When we got home Vangie had a bath and then fell totally asleep in the chair. We ate dinner and then she woke up, and I could feel she did NOT feel good. She wanted me to hold her but she could not get comfortable, she kept crying out and just acted very miserable. At first I thought she was congested and had a stuffy nose- because she was crying more every time she tried to lay down. I gave her some decongestant and rubbed some Vicks Vapor rub on her chest. Nothing helped. 
    I noticed she kept pulling on her ear and I asked her if her ear hurt. She told me yes, her ear did hurt! She felt very warm so I took her temperature and it was 102.  I called the Navy Medical after hours line and they put a referral in for us to go to the ER.
    We got to the ER around 8:20pm- It was pretty crowded! This wasn't the nice Urgent Care we usually go to- that closes at 8pm. This was the regular Emergency room. I was pretty sure we'd be there for a few hours. I was happily surprised when they called us back at 9pm-  The Navy Medical Clinic called in all our details for us so we were put on the "Fast-Track" Yes!!!

  The Dr. Looked in her ear and she has an ear infection. She was given some Motrin and a prescription for an antibiotic. We left the Hospital at 9:40pm. Vangie was feeling much better from the Motrin. Now I had to drive to Summerville to the nearest 24 hour pharmacy. It was only about 7 miles down the freeway, but of course I missed my exit! (I have no idea HOW I did that!) so I ended up driving 15 min longer. we got her prescription filled and we were home in bed by 11pm.

  She woke up at 3am really hot so I gave her more Motrin and some water. It is now 8am and she is still sleeping.  I feel asleep last night so thankful for our insurance. I am so grateful I was able to get right in to see a Dr. and get the right medincine.

Look at "Baby Sophie" to the right: That was the craft she made at school last week- Isn't is SO CUTE? She always does the cutest things at school! Her teacher, Ms. Carrie is the BEST. We are really going to miss St. Timothy's Children Center when we leave South Carolina, we really hit the jackpot when we found this pre-school.  I told both Joey and Sophie's teaches their last day will be April 22nd-  Joey will finish up kindergarten in Michigan- at Web elementary where Grandma and Grandpa Perkins went to school! Sophie will just be done with school for this year.

Vangie has a cold! She has a runny nose and a cough. I am sure she will be 100% by Wednesday when we leave for Orlando.

Yesterday Chris had his final "Oral Board" at school/work. It was his last hurdle, his final step to be qualified as a department of energy Nuclear Engineer. He was very nervous. Not that it was the hardest thing he has done- he has been through a lot more painful, time consuming and brain numbing  over the past year- but just the fact that it was his last test- and the fact he had to stand in a room in-front of a handful of people and answer all their questions while they stared at him- causes a certain amount of nerves.  But, he passed! Yeah!  He came home yesterday and was so relieved to be done. 

Plus he has today and tomorrow OFF- no work! So we are going to the gym together and today after we pick Joey up from school the kids are getting their picture taken together at Sears. Last time I took all 3 kids to get their picture done it was a Wal-Mart and the pictures looked HORRIBLE. The woman working was not the greatest child picture-taker--- which is strange since that is what she did for a living....

Also... what is one thing you need when you are traveling a long ways?   LUGGAGE! We finally broke down and bought some- I think it will come in handy on our move to Hawaii!

And one last thing... HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY AUNT DIANA!!!!!