Wild Blackberries, Princess Guns, and Movers

No.  I don't mean electronic devices that have gone mad.  

 

I am talking about the real deal here folks.  Warm from the sun, sweet and juicy, and now stained into my children's clothing, hands, and other appendages.  We have this great pond with a large wooded area nestled in among our subdivision.  The kids have long called it the jungle and have made huts, forts, and all sorts of wonder there.  We didn't ever get to fish but have heard stories of 8 lb bass that are yummy to eat, from a nice older gentleman that keeps it all mowed and tended so the children in the area can have some 'good old fashioned fun and enjoyment'.  He is not paid, just a little pet project of his, and are we ever grateful.  

 

Yesterday Jakey wasn't feeling so hot, recovering from a little cold, so he stayed back with me to watch the packing show while Daddy took the others to the great jungle.  About an hour after they left Zackary came racing in, "Jake, you have to come.  We found wild blackberries, tons of them!  They are so good.  You have to come.  Come on!  Mom we need buckets.  Where are our Easter buckets?"  The flurry began and they were headed back out into the great wild within seconds.  

 

About another hour later they all came back with many a blackberry bush thorn prick and gorgeously stained faces.  Lucky for me their buckets had plenty to offer and then some.  What a fun picnic we had in the shade of the garage with our pb&js, apples, water, and of course deliciously fresh blackberries.  Zackary's plan was to return so he could bring me enough to make blackberry jam.  I wonder if the movers would mind unpacking my cooking and canning equipment?  

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Sam has been known to hunt on occasion :)  He hasn't spent much time exposing the kids to it as of yet, and in fact until yesterday, they didn't even know he had a gun.  For various reasons, it's much easier for us take his gun, rather than pack it.  Yesterday as we were getting in the van they all noticed the strange black case laying at their feet on the floor of the van (funny thing is it had been there for a couple of days already)  It brought on a lively discussion that ended like this: Ellie, "Why does Daddy have a gun?"  Mom, "Because sometimes Daddy hunts for animals to shoot so we can have the meat to eat."  Ellie, "Oh.  Don't let Daddy shoot my horse please." As I am sure you can imagine, another conversation ensued (no she doesn't have a horse, she wants one though).  

 

A few minutes pass of  Sam and I running back and forth gathering things we forgot.  When we are almost ready to go and Sam is walking toward the van Ellie says, "Mom."  "Yes Ellie."  "Can I get a princess gun?"  She loves her Daddy and everything he brings to her life, for sure.  

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Quick work was made of packaging up our worldly goods yesterday.  They will be finishing up Monday and loading the truck a whole day early!  Our internet will be gone as of Sunday night. Our phone gone as of Tuesday.  We have yet to discover a decent internet/phone situation in WI so who knows when I will be posting again.  

 

We will certainly miss our friends here but are so glad to be reunited as a family and moving on to the next phase of our life.  Our time here has been a a good learning experience.  We have had so much fun and made many wonderful connections that will last a lifetime, thanks to the internet.  Thanks Louisiana for all you have brought into our lives :)  Au revoir  (or something like that, it's been a while since 7th grade french!)

 

Aaaaaaaaaand, we're off!