Tips for Driving in #Houston, #Texas

I was warned by several people about driving in Texas. And I remember being a kid and my parents would drive in Colorado and there were a lot of Texas drivers for some reason there and they mostly drove like idiots. So I was all prepared to get into some sort of traffic accident or something with someone who was not paying attention in Texas ...

And ...

How to Make a Summer #Homeschool Plan

It's no secret that I like to have fun with my family. If I had to put myself into a homeschool box, I would probably call myself a Hippie Homeschooler. I am not super-consistent or scheduled; we do have a routine but not a schedule. I am easily distracted and interrupted and say yes to too many side things. So in August of 2014 I decided I needed to do something with homeschooling so that I would be held more accountable so my kids would be more on track, and that's where virtual school came in.


This past year of virtual schooling has been great for me and for the kids, but I did put off their math and we are still scrambling do get caught up before state testing. To me, state testing and the three times per school year our facilitator has to come to our house to do testing are the trade-off for the benefits of virtual school: $45 per year per kid, high-quality Calvert curriculum, extra tutoring, field trips and more.

I'm seeing, though, that we need to go back and touch on some things that I didn't touch on when I was busy having babies and was deep into my wonderful life as a woman married to a man who travels. There were times when I felt like I was merely surviving and trying to be a good mom was #1 over being a good teacher. Things fell off the radar. I also got busy with doing things on the side to make money and am admitting that I spent too much time on those things and not enough on homeschooling.

But all that is going to change.

Phoning it in This Easter

I'm sitting here at my neighbor's house. My neighbor with the six fabulous kids and she has another on the way. She also homeschools. She is also Catholic. She is also married to a man who travels sometimes. They have had to move and move again and live out of a car traveling from place to place. They have lived the lives of missionaries and are getting to stay put now for a while.

I love my neighbor. She makes me not want to move to the country like we've been planning to do. I love this house right here but I really want to stay here this summer and spend more time with my neighbor and friend.

What does this have to do with Easter?

#TheKerrieShow in #Houston Day 19: Leaving and Crying

Thursday. Leaving day. I am a happy person, people, and I can roll with stuff, but for some reason I got ATTACHED to Houston. I met family, I met a writer friend, I made friends at the hotel, I took my kids to the beach multiple times, I had meals cooked for me 10 times out of 21 each week. I lived in a small space with 6 other people and it worked. We loved it. I hated leaving and I cried. Here is our day:

Sleeping Sam.

After tons of traffic here and there, we stopped at a park to play.

Arriving at Embassy Suites in Norman, OK. Yes, my son is holding MY bottle of moscato. Yes, I had a glass. I'm still a kick-ass mom, so there. And humble.

Mr. Kerrie is beloved by Hilton so we got to stay on the top floor, the 10th floor, and this was our view. Free snacks and drinks from the machine! We stocked up!

The view of Norman from our room.

The girls' and Sam's bed in the living area. Mr. Kerrie took the boys swimming and the females stayed in the room to chill.

The big bedroom.

So weird but Joel says he opened the drawer and the Bible was already on the book of Joel. I think the hotel workers knew I was coming and found out his name from the blog and did it. Just kidding! FREAKY!

Tomorrow's post is all about us going home on Good Friday, acquiring our dog and going to church. Come back and see us!

#TheKerrieShow in #Houston Day 18: Visiting Bubbe, Last Beach Day and Goodbyes

Today was very emotional. We drove downtown to see my friend Jennifer Gutierrez's grandma at the assisted living place and took her some Dove dark chocolate since it was her birthday! As we left I got a little teary thinking of my Poppy because some of the rooms where Bubbe lives are like where my Poppy lived while he was dying. It really messed me up inside and made me so sad, but when that happens I don't like to shut down in front of my kids. I made sure to calm down and explain to the kids why I was upset.

Then we hopped on the highway to hit Galveston for our very last beach day.

Once we got back to the hotel it was time for free dinner and a quick treadmill workout for me. The kids had fun with their last night in the pool area with their friend Lacie.

Mr. Aron chilling out

Me and Aly ... she wasn't working but came in to see me off! The best hotel front desk person EVER, no joke! Give this girl a raise!

Lacie's mom, Lori. Hotel guest and all-around sweet lady.

Me and Ping, who works at the hotel and gives the best service anyone could ever hope for ... such a neat soul. I will miss these people truly and still tear up as I type this weeks later.

Rushing around to pack but we had to get one last shot with their friend Lacie in our room.