Road Trip

So, I know that this blog has long been neglected This entry really has two purposes. One, to ask some advice. Two, to say that we're going private. First of all, in May, Joel will be starting a 3 month sabbatical. We are beyond excited about the quantity and quality time that we will have as a family and time to truly focus on the Lord without our usual daily lives getting in the way...not to say that we won't have distractions and trials! I'm a little nervous about going into a time where the focus is to rest, be renewed, and revived in the Lord because I know that the enemy will be standing point. I also know that there is no way that we're going to come back from sabbatical unchanged...and I'm not a fan of change (although, I know change from the Lord is transforming and I do want that). I am so excited about the things that we have planned while on sabbatical...the two main things being a road trip to Colorado (where Joel will be taking a class and I will get to spend a whole week with one of my most favorite people, Sarah, and we get to visit family and friends along the way) and a trip to New Zealand to visit Joel's sister, Anna, and her family (a trip that we've dreamed of for 5 years and never imagined would happen. We took a leap of faith and bought the tickets, and God has affirmed that on a daily basis.). Can't wait to meet my newest nephew. Here's where your advice comes in...Even though, I am so excited about our l-0-n-g trips via car and plane, I'm not naive to think that it won't be hard with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. So, I am welcoming any and all advice on taking long trips with little people...from games to play, to how frequent stops should be, to good travel toys, to what "drugs" might help if they're hysterical, to good car snacks, to cool kid friendly maps to show the kids where we are, to organizational tips and so on. I really don't want them to be plugged up the whole time, but I have been researching kids headphones and I found those cute animal ones by mushabelly. They got horrible reviews, but wondering if anybody has used them or what brand you would recommend.

Like I said, I'm planning on going private...not that I'm planning on blogging a whole bunch, but I do plan on using it to keep our family updated during sabbatical. So, if you go to check out the blog and you can't get on, that's why. For anyone that has kept up with this blog, thanks for checking in and caring about our family.