10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...blast off!!

Thank you for coming to visit our blog. Most of you know that we have been planning this 28 day adventure for quite a long time. Now we have 10 days until we leave and there is a lot to do!

But first, let's go over some FAQ's about our upcoming trip:

How is Jere able to get that much time off from his job?

Because we have been planning/talking about this for about two years, he saved up vacation time from last year and submitted his request 18 months ago. Overall, his employers have been supportive and encouraging. He will be doing some work on the road via cell phone and laptop.

Where are you going?

We will head out Wed April 28 and get as far as Albuquerque, NM (that's an 800 mile day, folks). Our first "fun" stop will be to visit friends on their farm in Arkansas. Then we plan to spend a couple of days in Alabama, followed by the Great Smoky Mountains, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Colorado and home. We do have more exact details, but that is the basic plan.

Why are you taking this trip?

For one thing, we learned on our last "big trip" in 2006 that we really enjoy travelling together as a family. Jere and I have a great time planning trips; the fulfillment of the plans take a lot of teamwork and we are always blessed by the opportunity to work together.

We also recognize that as our children get older, the window for all 8 of us to travel will begin to close. Our last extended trip was 4 years ago. Four years from now, our oldest will be going on 20 and who knows what her schedule will be.

Finally, as a part of our home school program, we want to visit places we have read about: Civil War sights, national treasures in Washington DC, National Parks, etc. We believe it will enhance our children's education to experience these things.

So how do you keep everyone happy in the car?

Good question! We have chosen to avoid the DVD route for now, but we did stock up on audio books and CD's. We will be listening to The Hobbit, theatrical versions of The Secret Garden and Pilgrim's Progress, Jonathon Park, and Sherlock Holmes stories. We will also bring music CD's, activity books/pens and the infamous big bag of lollipops. For rest stops we have the stomp rocket, football, jump ropes and whatever zany game we make up. It will not always be harmonious, but we'll be fine.

Who will take care of your garden, animals and mail?

I just love God's timing. Good friends who are missionaries in the South Pacific are home for a short furlough. They are staying with family now, but will move into our house when we leave. They have four children and are looking forward to having their own space for their final month in the states. We are thankful to have our house occupied. It is an ideal situation and we are grateful.

We hope you check in from time to time! There might be some surprises in store for you--and we can be fairly certain there are "surprises" in store for us. Please join us on the journey!