One Mom & 8 kids & 2 Dogs = Crazy?

Holly girlfriend, I went on blogger to monitor the comments late last night. When I read yours, I truly burst out laughing. Loud. Really loud. My kids, who had friends over, all turned.

Thanks for the laugh Holly.

No, we didn’t buy another RV.

But you, my dear, were almost kind of close. *giggle*

You know this waiting on medical stuff is pretty not-fun sometimes. Even though I pray, meditate and pray some more, well, frankly, waiting just gets old.

So…..I thought doing something crazy might just reduce the wait time….

Dw has a much-needed sabbatical this year. It’s only three weeks, but oh how he needs those three weeks. We have prayed about where he should go and what he should do.

We entertained all kinds of ideas. Most of all he needs to rest. He needs to be refreshed. He needs to sleep. He needs to sleep some more. These last two years have been long ones.

Remember how he fell down the stairs and required shoulder surgery two years ago? He had torn the bicep right from the bone. He had ripped his rotator cuff in 3 places. The doc said his shoulder was one of the worst he had ever seen. It was really, really bad.

While he was recovering, Emma, Graham and I went to Africa and brought the babies home.

Four weeks later the house burned down.

Then we looked for a rental.

Then he flew with Autumn to have her diagnosed with the tumor in her pituitary in her brain.

Then he led a missions team to Africa.

Then he came home….and was really sick.

Then our oldest son got married.

Two days later we drove to Iowa for Isaiah’s surgery with Dw still very sick…at this point losing 20 pounds.

Then Dw ended up in the hospital {in Iowa} for several days with a really sick liver. {It was Hepatitis A – which he got while in Africa.}

Then he lost 10 more pounds, bringing it up to 30 pounds in 3 weeks.

Then he came home and recuperated.

Then he finished building the house.

Then we moved.

Then Emma and I went to China and he watched our little ones.

Then his mom got really sick and ended up in a nursing home.

Then he flew to see his mom and get Mark and bring him back to live with us.

Then he went to Haiti to minister not long after the earthquake.

Then he went and taught a pastors conference in Africa, all the while leading a team too.

Then he came home sick. Again. And lost 20 pounds. This time they said it was Giardia.

Then he went to the doctor’s with me and learned that my body is fairly sick.

Then he took me out of state for the biopsy. And he loved on me.

All the while, pastoring a good sized church. Having 3 staff members follow their dreams and hiring 3 new ones. And being a daddy to the eight kids we have at home.

Yes, he’s exhausted and the sabbatical? So needed.

So after much prayer, he ended up flying today to his childhood home, which now sits empty. He is going to rest and recoup there. He only bought a one-way {you are coming back, right Whitey? j/k}….cause he wasn’t sure when he would come back….

But this past Wednesday he said to me, “I would like to stay there longer {the house is empty and fairly soon it will be sold}but I can’t stand the thought of being away from you Linny. Especially with your health being uncertain.”

I got to thinking about that.

We are hopelessly and pathetically addicted to each other. We can’t help ourselves.

I hate the thought of him being gone, again, for more than a week or so.

So I said, “What if I drove the kids and came to stay for the second week of your sabbatical?” You could go on little day excursions that are restful and we will play in your hometown and visit my cousins. {So excited to see them!!}

He thought I was crazy.

And he wondered if I was even remotely serious?

I was.

He still thought I was crazy.

But he loved the idea.

So yes, I am leaving early Monday morning, with 8 kids in tow and Nelly and Charlee and heading just about 2,000 miles {one way} to Dw’s childhood home.

I am actually really excited!! The kids are super excited!! Elizabeth keeps asking, “Is yesterday the day that we leave?”

So should you happen upon the highway next week and see a crazy lady with lots of kids and two dogs in a big white 12 passenger van zipping past you….honk and wave…..cause that would be me!!!! It’s gonna’ be a blast!

37 thoughts on “One Mom & 8 kids & 2 Dogs = Crazy?

  1. 1st thing – WOW, Dw has done A LOT these past two years! God bless him. He needs this period of rest. May God refresh him and renew his strength.

    2nd thing – One mom driving across country with 8 kids and 2 dogs…crazy? Nah…. Most folks do it all the time. Ha! 🙂 It may be a long trip, but you're not crazy. I can appreciate a family loving each other so much that they can't stand the thought of being away from one another for too long. May God bless you and give you strength, too, on your travels.

  2. I'm so glad he's getting away.

    I am crazy addicted to my hubby too and I'm so glad God gave me a husband I'm addicted too and not one I was OK being away from. 🙂

    Praying for your trip, HAVE FUN!

  3. That sounds like such fun! 🙂 I hope it will be a great time for all of y'all. I have a long drive next Friday, but mine won't be nearly as interesting as yours! hehe. (Just heading back to school.) By the way… there are some good antique stores off of I-70 near Springfield, Ohio. 😉

  4. Yep, you are certifiable….LOL

    have a great time and be safe…

    P.S. you might remind DW that it would be nice to hear some of his thoughts on HIS blog….

    just saying…

  5. You are so cute… your kind of crazy is such a good crazy!!! Both of you are incredibly inspiring! I will be praying that God would strengthen and refresh DW… and you! Hope you have a wonderful road trip with your treasures and that God protection will be upon you all. Lots of love!

  6. Crazy, crazy crazy… and you are so going the wrong direction for me to wave!!! I leave West silly girl! West!

    Have a wonderful, trip… God Bless you all…
    Hugs and more,

    Barbara Lyman 🙂
    Marysville, WA (on the WEST coast)

  7. A wonderful kind of crazy! And people say that I'm a little crazy for all of the driving and traveling I do with just 2 kids! 😉 We're looking forward to it being 3 kids but 8 kids and 2 dogs – enjoy/good luck! 🙂 Sending up a prayer for a safe and enjoyable trip!

  8. That is a long ole drive lady, but when you're together…it's just another chance to build memories 🙂
    Maybe someday the Lord will bless you with an RV that drives…continuously 🙂
    Have a blessed trip and enjoy the view. May the Lord use this time to minister to you and your hubby in deep ways.
    Love,
    Holly

  9. Praying for safe travels for everybody and rest and renewal for Dw, and you too! How is Uncle Mark doing? Where is he living now? We need a Grandma and Uncle Mark update.

  10. Super Fun! You can stop and stay here in Marysville, Ohio! Then I'll follow you out! We need an adventure too!! Seriously though, I will email my phone # if you want to stop. Sheri

  11. Super Fun! You can stop and stay here in Marysville, Ohio! Then I'll follow you out! We need an adventure too!! Seriously though, I will email my phone # if you want to stop. Sheri

  12. Linny – So glad you are getting some time away with your brood! We live in central PA about 15 minutes off of I-80. We will be gone from Monday-Thursday but you would be welcome to crash at our house it you like. I would be very disappointed to miss you but there is no point in an empty house not being used. Of course you could stop on your return trip and stay with us that way we would get to meet you. 🙂 I am sure you have all the details already in place – just wanted to offer. You can email me at eveleth@hotmail.com Bless you these next few weeks! ~ Becky

  13. You are crazy that's all I'm saying!!! If you go through central Illinois on the way and need a break with the kiddos stop by the farm and we would love to entertain ya (not sure where your headed)!!!

  14. How stinking exciting!! I'm so excited for you all to take the trip, and I can't WAIT to read about all of the inevitable adventures you'll come across. 🙂

    Have a blasty blast!!

  15. very cool idea! Too bad you aren't coming through Texas; you'd all fit just right in our huge den on Baptist pallets and couches!! Maybe next time?

  16. very cool idea! Too bad you aren't coming through Texas; you'd all fit just right in our huge den on Baptist pallets and couches!! Maybe next time?

  17. I am so glad that I got to see you at church this morning and to give you some of the hugs I promised while I was travelling. I think your road trip sounds like a TON OF FUN (hey, that rhymes – tee hee!!)

    I LOVE road trips…..seeing more of our amazing country, visiting with family & friends along the way, making precious memories….yup, I think you came up with one awesome idea! Have a blast!!
    Love you guys! I'll be prayin'

  18. That hubby of yours needs 3 MONTHS off…not 3 weeks 😉 But I know how "impossible" that can be for a pastor…so praying that these 3 weeks feel long and restful…ENJOY your trip! LOVE roadtrips! Keep stoppin' for Starbucks and keep the radio blarin' 🙂 Safe travels!

  19. That sounds like so much fun!! Drive carefully and enjoy your family time!!

    We are the same way, we hate to be apart!

    Blessings on your journey!!

  20. Oh my goodness. This story is so amazing it should be a book! I would have thought this was all made up. What a family, So inspiring. I was bragging about your site the other day. Now I have more to say and will feature your amazing story on my site. Also I love the music : )

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