He gave me permission.....

When Mr. Kirby and I began our courtship way back-long ago in 2001, we shared quite a few conversation through emails.  You see, I was graduated from BSU and substitute teaching in Elk River and he was student teaching in Bemidji. I spent my day teaching 7th graders the wonders of physical education and he was spending his days with 3rd graders.  So, in between visits and class periods, we exchanged emails.

Forward 14 years and we are back to exchanging multiple-daily emails.  Except I'm in MN and he's in AK or Russia, I get confused sometimes......

The other day Mr Kirby ended his email to me by giving me 'permission' to write a blog post. I believe his words were something like 'you should write on the blog too so it's not just me all the time.'

Um, did he forget who started this stinking blog?  LOL

I have thought quite a few times in the past 4 weeks to write down some thoughts and share what's going on in our neck of the world but I've held back for a few reasons.

1. I didn't want to disturb his flow....seriously he's got it going on right now and he's got people eating out of the palm of his hand just waiting for the next blog post about his adventure. Heck--even I myself wake up every morning hoping he's posted another update on his day or shared an experience.    So, out of courtesy to him, I have been silent.

2. I can't decide what I should write about. I've got some angry thoughts about people in general, I've got some happy thoughts about our family and my husband, and I've got some funny stories and realizations that have occurred over the past weeks.

3.  I'm not as 'skilled' in telling a story online as he is.  For those of you who know us well, you are well aware that Kirby is quite the story teller and I am, well.....I like to get straight to the point and I'm not big on conversation in general.  I honestly swear that texting has saved our marriage. Prior to texting, a 20 second phone all asking him to pick up some milk most often turned into a 20 minute conversation about the color of the turkey beard that my husband saw on the way to school this morning  and how the sun was beating down at just the right angle and the grass was gleaming with fresh dew from the midnight hours........and....well, you get my point.

So, please accept my apologies for the interruption. My husband would like me to post a few of my 'stories' on the blog for HIS entertainment.   In order to save time-I will create a short list of my thoughts from my POV on this adventure.

In no particular order....

1.  Backing up a pop up camper is not easy and practicing in an empty parking lot for an hour WILL NOT make it any easier once you get to your campsite. Thankfully Tom from Hawaii was more than willing to help out.

2. I've mowed the lawn, used some power tools,  sold our cars, bought a truck, quit my job, got a new job and have successfully fed our kids.  We are doing fine.

3. If I ask you for help, take it serious. The reason I state this is because I'm stubborn.  I like to do and figure things out on my own.  However, if I am asking you for help that means I'm down to frustration and tears are soon to follow as I've gone through every option I can think of.  So, thank you Tom from Hawaii for reading that situation correctly (see point #1)

4. I've lost some faith in people. There are a lot of wolves dressed as sheep and I have been too trusting the past few years.   I have smiled and spoken kind words with people who have not done the same for my family.   I am cautious these days with those around me and not around me.

5. I have figured out who my true friends are.  In this, I find comfort.

6.  I smile when I listen to my kids talk about their Dad to other people. It makes me proud that they are proud.

7. Emma and Logan are such awesome kids.  Without them being who they are, I would not have been able to tell Kirby to go without hesitation.   They each might come out of this deal with a brand new car or something....

8. I currently  have to drive everywhere, all the time. I am no longer a passenger.  But, I guess that's okay because I am the better driver anyways. Kirby is not driving our new truck when he comes home at xmas.

9. I am the master of our king bed. My sleeping habits have now grown from not being forced to sleep on just one side of the bed to sleeping in the middle-on the right side-on the left side-sideways-or just sprawled smack dab in the middle in all directions.

10. And lastly, I am so proud of my hubby.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.....