Been Here Done That!
Hey Dad,
Things couldn’t be going much better. My wife is radiant, but I’m starting to run down. I’ve spoken to thousands of dads and moms, driven thousands of miles, and said at least a thousand times, “Settle down back there!”
Just a couple more weeks. I think I can…I think I can…I think I can.
Last week we enjoyed the Philly, PA area, although my GPS took me about 30 miles in the wrong direction because I typed in the wrong town. The road kept getting narrower and narrower until I finally had to stop.
After a little refiguring, we made it to Washington’s Crossing (the town) where General Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware to whomp some Prussian soldiers in Trenton, NJ.
We saw the actual table GW sat at just prior to the crossing.
Earlier that day, we stopped at Byer’s Choice, makers of the caroling dolls that you see in Hallmark stores at Christmas time. Begun as a mom-and-pop shop, it is now a pretty spectacular facility where they still hand-make each caroler.
Yesterday we stopped at Pocahontas State Park in Richmond, VA (supposedly voted the best state park in the country). It has a free water park, and this is our third year in a row to camp here for a night.
Today we travel to Sumter, SC and set up tomorrow for the SC State Homeschool Convention.
The RV is running great, although my temp. gage spiked two days ago in the Philly traffic. I pulled over and added a quart of antifreeze. I even stopped at a Cummins dealer who took a look at it and told me to keep checking and adding until we get home since the tank is leaking.
Looks like another thing to add to my RV fix-it list.
Here are a few photos…
Man, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your notes, words of encouragement, and prayers.
You ‘da dad,
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Todd,
Hang in there…you ‘da dad:) We sure appreciate your ministry to us, and your heart felt words or encouragement. The fact that you are real with us, you don’t preach to us from your soap box, but you are in the trenches with us (not that being a dad is like being in the trenches:))
Keep truckin along, and keep the pictures coming…its fun to see where you guys have been, and where you are going.
In Christ,
Jason
Todd,
The investment in Family that you continue to champion (on a daily – if not hourly – basis) is encouraging. The journaling that you publish from your adventures with the RV are great, and often remind me of the few that I had growing up. Those were some of my favorite times. All in all, I am reminded daily of my own RV (Relationship Value) with my family. We don’t hit the road often for lengthy adventures, but our time together is purposeful. As a husband and father of two wonderful boys, I blow it more that I care to think, but strive to not bruise their tender hearts by continuous encouragement and investment of time and activity.
Our current RV is family Tae Kwon Do. We’ve been at this for about 7 months and all advancing at the same pace. It’s a blast and all of us really enjoy taking the family classes. We are able to train together and expect to reach black belt in Feb, 2010.
Thursdays are family night, and we will be playing Bethlehem…the kids won’t wait until the “season”, they love it when the towels go on the head and the toilets get flushed; drives the cat crazy, but it’s still brings a lot of laughs and lessons.
Stay encouraged and rest in HIM. you have built a lasting legacy already in your family and the values you teach and live.
Carry on, Champion of the “RV”! If your adventures bring you all to Tampa, we’d be honored to have you visit.
You’re in our prayers,
PK
The Lord is with you, brother; and we’re praying for you! I’m sure those attending the conventions are being encouraged. I’m being blessed by your updates and photos! You ‘da dad.
Todd, You da man! I have been enjoying your newsletters for quite some time now! I even have a “YOUDADAD” NC tag on my car, which gives me a reason to tell people of your ministry every where i go. My children are my life, as are yours. Continue to have a safe trip! John R. Bolin from Gastonia, NC
Hey! We live about 10 minutes from Pocahontas Park!! Hope you had a great time there 🙂 I don’t know that I’d agree that it’s the best state park in the country, buuuuuut…
Anyway, we sure missed you at the HEAV homeschool convention in Richmond a few weeks back. Last year I had the pleasure of buying one of your books from your lovely, and very mature (in a good way), daughter. A very nice young lady. She’d make any dad proud, I’m sure! Hope to see you next year…
Hey there Todd,
I took the kids to see Kung FU Panda to give my wife the night off last week. It was cute as the round panda tries to be the master, however there was a lot of adult humor and Tylon the bad guy is very scary. My four year old was cuddled in my lap. Just a heads up. My kids are 11,8, 7 and 4.
Hi Todd,
I am new to the site, my boss after hearing me talk about my family and how I teach family values at our church, pointed me to your website and I have to say that it’s pretty cool. I will pray for the leak issue with the RV and will pray for your road to bring you back home soon, God Bless and always keep you in His Grace.
2 weeks, does that mean your comming to CHEO in Columbus, Ohio?
Todd, just loved having you in Iowa at the NICHE Convention (it ain’t Heaven, but it is the best state in the union:)
Thanks so much for reminding me to settle down back there and just be dad! You have lifted my spirits more than you can ever know. Now you settle down and make it to the end, you can do it! (With His grace!)
Love in Christ,
Kerry
You guys look busy. So glad to see that everyone is doing well. You are almost at the finish line. Thanks for all your encouragement.
My advice on Kung Fu Panda: bring a book. Ãoe
See ya in Sumter!
Can’t wait to hear about you adventures next week at Sandy Cove!
Todd, I meant to write earlier, but man I had a great Father’s day. My wife blessed me by saying whatever I wanted to do was fine and so we went to my grandmothers house for a family picnic with her.
Before that I grilled hamburgers to take there and by time I was done I had the entire grill engulfed in flame from a world record grease fire. I tried to convey to my daughter (7) that I needed a bottle of water as fought to save the last two burgers left in the inferno. Of course pouring water on a aluminum sheet covered in grease is not smart and had hot grease all over my new “Property of My Family 24-7-365” shirt they just bought me. All my wife said was: “It’s father’s day!”
We then went to grandma’s where I beaned the same daughter in the eye playing catch with a baseball. I had no idea an eye could swell shut that fast. Although I don’t think my wife was very happy, my daughter cuddled with me as we applied the ice pack. She asked me is it black and blue ?. I told her “No honey, it’s a beatiful pink and purple, you favorite colors” which got a grin out of her. I then leaned over and asked grandma “Did you ever think you would live to see you grandson give you great grandaughter a shiner in your backyard with a baseball ?” Ahhh yes, this is what Fathers Day is all about. Man I love being a Dad!! As you taught me to remember… It’s eternal !
Todd We really enjoyed listing to you at the homeschool convention in PA. My wife and I got a lot from all your talks. Keep up the great work you and your wonderful family are doing. God bless and keep you safe in your travels.
Todd, I must confess, although I am on your e-mail list I have not been reading all of them. But slowly but surely you finally got me. The Intercourse PA one finally hooked me. I am a Dad of an 8 yr old girl and a 10 year old son. The four of us are having a blast trying to live out loud. I was reminded of two things lately. First, as Dad it your job to find the things to do to have fun for the family and second every kid should have a dog. My kids are pushing for an RV and my wife says I’ll have to pay twice as much when we go RVing since I will have to spring for her hotel room too. 🙂 -So I decided to do both a trial RV and a trial dog. I am going to rent an RV for 4 or five days later this summer and try it out. We will see if it brings us together. Second the trial dog is a 10 week yorky. At 2.5 lbs not sure it qualifies as a dog, but my kids think so. The lady in line behind me at the pet store might have gotten the better deal, she got a chinchilla for 1/10th cost, twice the size. But the impact he’s had on my family already it was worth it. Anyway, God Bless you as you travel and make family history. I am afraid you hit the 3-H days in MD. We have them most of the summer; Hazy, Hot and Humid. Stay Cool Dad!