Reflections of Humility: Will We Ever See Wyoming.....

We got up and hit the road after I gave the kids trail mix and bananas for breakfast. The kids did well during the drive. Liam loved the DVD player and just watched movie after movie. He didn't sleep much on the road because of it. Silas would just watch the player and then fall asleep for a while. The girls enjoyed doing their activities that others gave to them before we left. Rogue just enjoyed his own spot half way on the seat and half way on the ice chest. In all God really blessed our trip and kept us safe. David and I talked with walkies talkies most of the time.
The hardest part for myself was staying awake. I didn't sleep well for three nights in a row and it was hitting me the second day that we drove. I kept putting ice on my face and eating ice chips. I spent time call friends and family along the way.

Yeah...we hit Wyoming..this is a rock formation around Rock Springs

More Rocks...


I loved the clouds in this picture...as we drove along...

This is an email I sent out after we go here...

HI Friends and Family,
We are alive and tired. The trip has a hole was very smooth and God was very gracious to us. Here are some little snips of our trip: Holly got car sick. Liam didn't sleep much because he loved the dvd player in the car.( he'll be sad to know that it's now put away) It kept him from winning and saying are we their yet every couple minutes. Silas watched, slept and played. David and I were blessed to be given waki talkis to communicate while I drove the van and he drove the truck. When I felt tired I had to put ice on my face to stay alert. Between last minute pack (night 1), sleeping in a cozy hotel room with 6 people and a dog (night 2), arriving at our new home after a six hour drive and then unloading until 9:30pm (not sure what time it really was) Ended with eating dinner as a family at 11:30pm at the local truck stop. Got home moved a couple things and got the kids in bed about 1:30 am.(it was amazing how quickly I did set up their beds and also reminded me how lazy I can be when I wait to get things done :) its just a reminder that God is always teaching me new things and how much i need to depend on him) The kids slept until 11am ( I think that was yesterday) That next morning i was up early unpacking before everyone got up ( David has been a wonderful help and sometimes walking around not know what to do be I get so independent in my thinking...another reminder of my need to depend on Christ) I did get the kitchen completely unpacked and went to the store yesterday. We all enjoyed a later afternoon nap at 3:30. Last night was the first full nights rest in i forgot how many days. Skip>>> While David and I unpacked the truck the kids enjoyed playing outside for the first hour and then they wanted to go inside, but they had to stay out so we could put things in. The girls watched their brothers and did a great job. Our place does have a swing set and a play house that the kids enjoyed while we unpacked. It had rained that day (not on us while we unpack, so thankful) The mud or red clay was thick so the kids had very muddy shoes. They learned lots of patience or the definition of the word. The hardest part of the trip was feeling tired and needing to show love and patience to one another. The kids might have seen a new side at times and David and I had our own times, I spent lots of time praying silently for the Lord to close my mouth. He was faithful and renewed my heart quickly. (thank you for all your prayers they have been felt) Our new landlord said he would try to help us unload when we got to Wyoming. I was thankful in knowing that. Then we got our key from him in Wyoming and he was sorry that he couldn't help because his new born wasn't settled down at home. I felt a little over whelmed in thinking David and I had to unload by ourselves. We did it even thought I felt so weak physically from being out of shape and lack of sleep, and having tired crying kids stop us every once in a while and trying to correct in love. I spent most of the time praying for strenght and help in keeping my own comments to myself. The Lord was faithful and I saw it when I was able to thank David for putting the boxes at the end of the truck so I didn't have to walk up and down the ramp each time. I then stopped and thanked the Lord for the strienght. ( we had lots of help loading the truck in Lodi and it was done within two hours) Thank you to everyone who helped!!! And for all of your prayers. Things are slowing getting back to a routine, I was happy that i could wake up this morning knowing I had a cup to use and soap for my hands. I'm still not sure where my clothes are yet. Holly was swinging yesterday and said mom can I have some new clothes. She has had the same clothes on for two days. ( washer and dryer are now set up Yeah!! clean clothes for Holly) I only set aside enough for our trip their oops! That is the fun in traveling out of state. I've woken up a couple times wondering if this was all a dream or if it was just a vacation and that we are just visiting. It's alot to think about when everything around you has changed. When I feel I need a long break I'll have to update our blog with photos of the trip.
Thanks again for your prayers and support.
Much love the Kiiskinen travelers
Forgot to say David starts work tomorrow (23rd) and the kids and I have our first play date on Monday with another homeschooling family :)
It's been in the low 70's high 60's here. We left the hot weather just in time

Family Room

This is our new home....

Kitchen Table

Kitchen

Boys Room

girls room

Laundry room with a extra freezer to store extra food if the we get snowed in

Our extra bedroom/ playroom with no shelves. lol...They all got left in California

This is our new yard that the kids love. When it rains their is mud to play in. The kids have enjoyed the playhouse and the swing set. Two things that we have never had in our own yard before.