Derby Week

 

Add caption

]

 

We were kind of in a funk after we got back from Kauai and California. We had some amazing time with our families and friends. It made us miss them a lot. Although, we came back truly amazed at God and his hand in all things. It was truly miraculous the way things worked out. We were also super grateful for the lifestyle we have because of the freedom it allows. We were able to just get on a plane and take off for 12 days without second thoughts. We didn't have to worry about a pet sitter, or mortgage payments and car payments that we wouldn't be able to afford. It was all truly incredible. It got us very excited to get back in the motor home and get on the road again.

But we still had three and half weeks to finish out at the ranch. There were a lot of small projects I wanted to finish for Crooked House and we wanted to finish getting the garden ready for Spring planting. At times, these tasks seem daunting but we knocked 'em out one by one, trying to encourage each other along the way. Another good push of motivation for us was Kellie's (Jordan's Mom) visit! We only were home at the ranch for a week before she came out to visit for Wendy's birthday. It definitely pushed us to finish a couple projects early so we could show them off.

We also had pretty busy work weeks coming home so it kept us distracted from the homesickness and the limbo-ness that always approaches before we take off on our next trip. The week that Kellie came to town was "Derby Week" in Hot Springs! The Horse races run an extra two days, add more races each day and there is all sorts of festive stuff going on, like giveaways and contests. On Saturday, Derby Day, the infield is completely filled up with tents from all sorts of local vendors, there are those jumpy things for kids and booths everywhere. Jordan actually came and worked the infield with his company Turf Catering and I was inside taking bets for all the races. It was kind of fun knowing he was just right outside! I also got put in the "Carosel Room" (the high roller room) for most of the week where people are betting in the hundreds and thousands for one race. It was just intimidating enough to keep me motivated through the week! After Derby the horse races are over and my only job will be substittue teaching.

In between our busy schedules we managed to sneak in a few dinners with Kel. One afternoon her and Jordan went treasure hunting at old antique stores while I was at work. It was so good for him because he had been missing his mamma lots! She also got to come to the Farmer's Market with Wendy and I for Crooked House Herbals. It was a lot of fun to show her what we have been up to. We even dragged her into the herbal kitchen for a morning to make a few products. I am not sure what it is but it is always so refreshing having a face from home meet us somewhere on our journey. We don't even have to spend every day with them but just knowing they are so close and we can just say hi and give a quick hug is so comforting.

Hiking to the pond with Kel and Wendy

Jordan rowed us ladies around for a while and even sang us songs in his french voice

Hey handsome!

All in all it was a good two weeks after getting home that kept us busy enough and threw us off our normal routine enough to keep us from getting to antsy for the road. Ha ya right, Jordan gets antsy after two months of staying anywhere in the same place. He is just a wanderer through and through. Not sure that will ever change.