Packing, packing, and more packing......

Packing, packing and more packing......and we're not even moving to Africa to be missionaries, like our sweet friends JD and Lori Thompson. We're just going to St. John for 2 weeks vacation, for Heaven's sake!! And, now if you are reading this for words of inspiration or even for tips on how to pack for 11 people, yes, I said 11, then stop reading. This is just my mid-packing break and probably will be totally boring. Although, I'm sure if you were actually here, you would be amused and entertained, as I get things out to pack, turn my back and someone has added to or taken away from the pile. Leah's new pink flip flops-you know the ones that cost $2 at Old Navy-they are her new favorites. You see, she has a shoe obsession. And while they are not going to be worn by Leah on the plane-she'd walk right out of those at the bustling airport-well, they likely will be on her feet the rest of the vacation. And they keep disappearing as I put them in the pile to pack! I should have known the child would have a shoe obsession, when the first night she spent the night with us in China, she screamed to sleep in her shoes, the whole first night. Duh, me....I didn't know that what she was screaming in Mandarin, was "SHOE"!! She slept with those shoes ON the next night! And, we all rested better! Okay-and back to packing, you see I'm not really packing for 11 people....Jim packs for himself-thank you Daddy, and Shelby and Kara pack for themselves-good thing, cuz, if it was up to me, they'd be wearing turtlenecks and baggy sweatpants on that beach-not the things they call bathing suits!! and Mae even does a decent job of packing for herself-with a once over by MOM! Nat, since he brought dirty laundry home from Tulsa, and he keeps telling me that he will wash it, well....he may be taking dirty clothes! Hope he remembers a swim suit or 2. He usually forgets them and conveniently, has to go buy one! Okay-so really, I ONLY pack for 5 kids and myself....and all the stuff that needs to go down to the house to refresh what the renters have used-linens, towels, shower curtains, kitchen towels, etc, etc, etc! I even tried to pack the dog this trip-but couldn't get a rabies shot verification from the vet today-he was closed! Oh well, next time, little Jed! Jed is the cutest little 5 lb. Morkie, that found me last year in front of the post office in the pouring rain. He has barely left my side since then. I think I'm having a harder time leaving him that I do when I leave my kids. Okay, back to packing-I told you this might be boring.....and then when we return, I can unpack....and then I'll need another vacation from unpacking! ;-) I have read some good books this summer. I read Charles Martin's newest, The Mountain Between Us. It's a good read-although my favorite of his is still Catching Fireflies. I also read a Jodi Picoult, that I can't think of the title of. It's about a teen that is affected by Asperger's that is falsely accused of a crime. I read it, because of Leah's autism. Boy, I got a few chuckles from his behaviors in the book. And, I also just finished Priceless by Tom Davis, If you have not read any of Tom Davis' books....you need to! That's all I'll say about his books. So, maybe the book recommendations were worth reading this blog for! Now, what to read on the beach???? And my quote of the day-"Autigm is my stuper power" by Leah....and yes, said just the way I spelled it!