How to Pack for Family Vacations – Tips from a Quad Mama

Travelling with kids is no easy task, but the memories are sooooo worth the days of packing and planning. Many of you have hounded requested me to share some tips we’ve learned as we’ve traveled with quadruplets. I by no means feel like an expert, but I’m happy to share some of our experiences that could be helpful to you as you prepare for your own family vacations.

Make a List and Check it Twice

I created a Packing Checklist on Google Docs for our first family trip to Nashville, TN and I’ve kept adding/deleting/revising it ever since.  There’s some great ones online too. Travel Mamas has a comprehensive list of “What To Pack for Babies and Toddlers”. I used the All Ears “What to Pack for Your WDW Trip” packing list for our recent family vacation to Walt Disney World.

Research Your Destination

Prepare for pit stops along the way by using Mapquest or Google Maps. Get familiar with your lodging destination via their website and the amenities provided before you start packing – this saves room in your luggage when you do not have to pack items like towels, hairdryer, crib, etc. I like to check out sites like Trip Advisor to help plan out the activities in advance, so I can pack only  what is necessary. And be sure you plan for unpredictable weather with appropriate clothing!

Start Stockpiling

Head to your local Dollar Tree for road/flight distractions.  The boys LOVED the travel doodles that I found in the dollar section of Target. Your local library can be a free source of travel entertainment with new books and DVDs for the road.  Check for sales on diapers, wipes, and other supplies to stockpile for less.

Packing Supplies

I really find packing to be easier by using large Ziplock storage bags and packing for each day of the week.  (Thanks to Suz for teaching me this trick long ago!) For instance, for Tuesday I would pack 4 shirts, 4 shorts, and 4 pairs of socks in one zip lock, press out all of the air and label it “Tuesday”.  This makes it sooooo much easier to stay organized and make sure you aren’t missing any important items. (Plus it helps Dad to know what goes with what and helps the getting ready for the day a much smoother process!)

I also prefer packing things in clear plastic tubs vs. suitcases. Things are easier to find and you can stuff more in each container.

Feed the Children

Make sure you pack plenty of snacks for the trip and even for your hotel stay.  It saves a TON of money to have breakfast supplies and snacks on hand, and keeps you from making extra stops. There were multiple times when our boys started hitting a wall and I would get out a snack and it was like a restart for the entire van. Having breakfast supplies and in-between meal snacks helps stretch your budget and your time. Things I liked to have on hand: Bottled Water, Granola Bars, 100% Juice Boxes, Peanut Butter, Bread, Cereal, Crackers, Fresh Fruit, and Yogurt. Serious Eats has some great travel snack ideas as well.

Alright it’s YOUR TURN!  What are some of your best travel tips and packing ideas?  Or what other questions can I possibly assist you with? I recently posted some tips for travel safety that you might want to check out before you hit the road!

Safe Travels and Happy Memory Making!

A Taste of Absence Does The Heart Good

This weekend Brad and I were able to get a short little breather.  It’s amazing what some comfort food (while it’s still warm) and a couple hours away with some good reads will do to recharge your spirit.  Uninterrupted conversation and riding in the car, rather than a van filled with car seats, was a welcomed retreat. Funny how holding hands can feel a little more like high school again. And how you could care less about traffic or waiting in a line, because you’re not rushed for once. And although the time passed too quickly, and responsibilities awaited us at home, we feel more empowered and energized to make it through the week.

It always amazes me how even a little taste of absence can make the heart grow fonder.

It does the heart good, doesn’t it?

 

(Special thanks to Brad’s parents for giving us a much needed recharge.)

Thank You, Mom

Mother’s Day is a day we all spend time thanking our moms the way we should be thanking her EVERYDAY.  She fills so many roles, sacrifices much, and shares our highs and lows along side us throughout life.  Really, the longer I’m a mother the more I appreciate my own mother.

I’m truly blessed to have my mom in the same state.  I’m able to see her often (although it never seems often enough) and share lots of life events and holidays with her.  I’m not sure how I would cope having her more than an hour’s drive away. 

I know that many of you don’t have this same luxury of having your moms within reach. I feel for you.  And so does P&G, which is why I’m joining the Thank You, Mom campaign to help reunite daughters and moms. So how does a reunion (with a travel voucher) sound?

Watch the video to learn more.

Go ahead. You don’t want to miss this.

I’ll wait for you… 

**Don’t you LOVE what Arianne says about her mom? (2:20ish of the video)**

So how can you be reunited with your mom or spend a special day with one that’s close by?

Here’s how you can win:

• Head on over to ThankYouMom.com and submit your short story (100 words or less) explaining why you would like to be reunited with your mom or mom-like figure.
• Encourage your friends and family to vote for you.

15 Winners are being chosen each month from now until November. (That’s over 100 teary reunions!)

Winners will receive a travel voucher to help cover the travel expenses plus a digital video camera to capture the moments shared.

Somebody pass the tissues!

 

(Oh and let me know if you submitted your entry so I can vote for ya!)

The Journey of Motherhood

As Mother’s Day quickly approaches, my thoughts have been filled with my journey to motherhood.  There were years that I didn’t know if I would have the privilege of being called “Mama” and so many days that I questioned why God would give me such a deep desire to be something that I could not humanly achieve.

My personal journey to motherhood has been full of unexpected turns and unfamiliar territory. Even now, it’s so much different than I could have imagined. So many times I find myself falling to my own expectations of who I thought I would be as a mother. There are times I must of lower the bar I’ve set for myself yet again to survive another stage. There are times that I am giving it my all and know it’s still not enough. 

And then there are times that I find delight in the small moments of motherhood, like taking them to throw rocks into a nearby creek. Frequent moments that I look at my boys from afar and soak in once again that they are truly a gift from God. Suddenly I’m hit with the reality that this is my journey.  These tender, adventurous, rowdy, simple, sweet, messy, busy, affectionate, crazy-filled days are my own fleeting days of motherhood.

Whatever may lie ahead in my path, I am grateful for this role and humbled by this responsibility. My purpose is defined as I journey ahead down the unexpected, challenging, and joy-filled path of motherhood.

Psalm 25:4,5 “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;  guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

 

Disney Quest 2010: A Mickey Surprise

Do you remember the souvenir surprise that I eluded to before we left for Walt Disney World?  The one I snuck on our trip after finding a bargain at the Disney Store that was going out of business?

Here’s what they found sitting by their tents* upon returning to our hotel from a day at Magic Kingdom:

(This video was shot a little bit after the initial reaction. We took that in without a video camera in hand.)

And in case you are curious what they are singing and dancing their Mickeys to…

It’s a clip that we showed the boys on YouTube before our trip from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Isn’t it fun watching your kids eyes light up?

 

* Notes Affiliate Link

53 Years – Through It All

UPDATE: My dad had surgery last night to partially remove the kidney stone.  Unfortunately they were unable to blast/remove all of it and he will repeat the procedure next week.  He has been the BEST patient, and his outlook has been remarkable!  They are hopefully releasing him this afternoon. Thank you for your continued prayers and concern.  Your prayers have provided much peace and assurance for our family.  God is faithful!

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Today my parents are celebrating their 53rd Anniversary in the romantic atmosphere of the hospital.  Nothing like an IV drip of pain meds to help you celebrate the love of your life, right? 

Last night I got a call from my sister. “Jen,…”, she said. Instantly I knew that the words “hospital” and “ambulance” were about to come out of her mouth. My dad was experiencing severe pain and vomiting and they were on their way to the hospital. 

Thank you to all of you who reached out through Twitter, Facebook, and texting last night as I asked for prayers.  I felt surrounded by your genuine concern and comforted by your prayers.

It was a huge relief to find out he is suffering with a kidney stone.  Although he’s in for a few very unpleasant days ahead, we are so incredibly grateful that it is not life-threatening.

My parents have been and continue to be a godly example in my life.  Their marriage and their lives are examples to many.  They demonstrate so many character qualities that I would love to possess more of, they are so supportive of one another and of others, and they are two of the most unselfish individuals you’ll ever meet!  They’ve been “Through It All” and are continuing to depend upon His Word.

“Through it all,
Through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all,
Through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.” 

Thank you for continuing to pray for his recovery and strength. 

Happy 53rd Anniversary, Mom and Dad! 

Disney Quest 2010: Character Greetings

My expectation was for the boys to be shy and frightened by the Disney characters.  After all, when they met the Colts’ mascot a few months ago they FREAKED.  They were shaking, screaming, clinging, hiding, the whole bit. 

We tried to prepare them for the Disney characters that we thought they might encounter before we left.  We talked about how big they were, and how they love kids. I even showed them YouTube videos of other kids meeting the characters to try to help with their fear of costumed creatures.  I’m not sure if we have those measures to credit, or if it was just a maturity issue, or if they were just so in love each character. Regardless, they ADORED the Disney characters.

Thanks to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we were able to meet the characters on multiple occasions.  Our boys were able to dance with Donald, Mickey, and Minnie.  Woody and Buzz became their closest buddies. And they probably gave Mickey high fives 8 times in one night.  It was so adorable to see them love on their favorite (and new favorite) characters.  Their excitement was evident through their smiles, squeals, and jumping.  They acted like they were their bestest buddies, that they needed to hug, kiss, and play with!

Here’s a FEW of our favorite encounters!

The first character we met, Daisy, at ESPN Wide World of Sports

3 Goofys: Isaac, Daddy, and Goofy

“Tailgating” with Mickey

 

Isaac, Clark, Mama, and Henry (back) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Back Lot

 

Isaac giving some high-five love to Minnie

 

Gotta love those famous Mice!

Having the time of their lives with Woody and Buzz in real life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

What boy doesn’t LOVE Lightning McQueen?

Tonight I asked them who their favorite character is and here’s their responses:

Brooks: Minnie Mouse!

Clark: BUZZ!

Henry: Donald Duck!

Isaac: Mickey Mouse!

Daddy: Goofy

Mama: Minnie

How about you?  Who’s YOUR favorite Disney character?  Who’s your kid’s     favorite(s)?

I linked this post at Life as a Mom.

Work From Home

Brad’s helping me out with this topic, so enjoy this guest post by my BFF.

The past several months have been some of the best times for my family.  It has been an incredible joy and privilege to see my wife and children so much more, and all the while having faith that God would indeed provide an income for our family again, in His timing.  Jen has done an incredible job of allowing me to lock myself in my office and work during the day, yet I still have the sweet option of eating lunch with my wife and kids. 

Although my income is nowhere near "full-time" status yet, my schedule is, and the income is beginning to grow.  I have started a company called 4tunate Design, LLC which Jen and I are working together to grow.  Jen is obviously a busy mom but still provides absolutely irreplaceable value to my design.  I trust her opinions and they have genuinely helped.  I am doing a combination of Web Design, 3D Animation, and Social Media work, and it is really coming together.  Take a look at my site for more information if you are interested.  I promise to have more work examples up in the near future!  www.4tunate-design.com

One project that launched this week is the “Frugal Map”, a great idea by an equally great blogger, Briana.  She contacted me in December about putting together a map that would allow her readers to find frugal bloggers in their part of the country.  I suggested we go with a Flash map that would be a super user-friendly format.  This map was a really fun project because I not only love designing in Flash, but it is to help with a subject that is really near to this new entrepreneur/Quad Dad's heart, being frugal!  We started the map with 35 blogs in about 1/3 of the country, but it will soon canvas nearly every state, stay tuned! Check it out, find the best deals and frugal bloggers in your area, and share it with others!

The Frugal Map | ©BargainBriana.com | Designed by 4unate Design | Submit Your Blog

Thank you all very much for your continual support and prayers during this transition in our lives.  You have no idea how encouraging it has been. God truly IS faithful, and we continue to trust His providence.

Quatro Daddy

Christmas Collaged

As I’m typing this the tree is being boxed up and shoved into a corner of the garage for another 11 months (while the quads are sleeping, mind you). And I can’t help but feel the mixture of emotions that goes along with packing up Christmas.  Glad to declutter, put things back in their place, get back to a routine, yet sad to say goodbye to the visual reminders of my favorite Christmas of all.

My memory is a collage of little moments along the way…

Decorating the Tree with the Boys (and breaking a few decorations in the process)

Watching Their Little Eyes Light Up as They Really Took Christmas In for the 1st Time

Singing Away in the Manger with the Boys Before Bed

Driving Around Neighborhoods Looking at Lights (And Laughing at How Brooks and Clark Were Scared of The Flashing House with Music)

Celebrating with My Family at My Parents House

Receiving Christmas Cards from Family and Friends

Wrapping Gifts Late into the Night

Being Blessed by Other Peoples Kindness

Bundling Up and Making a Trip Downtown

Watching the Boys “Sing” in Their First Christmas Program

Making Some Yummy Holiday Food

Spending Christmas Eve with Brad’s Family

Soaking Up Time with Family That We Don’t See Nearly Enough

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus

Watching Their Excited Fingers Open Presents

Watching My Boys Bring Others Joy

It Truly was a Magical, Magnificent, Memorable Christmas! 

(And I’m probably not through blogging about it!)

Because Staying In Is The New Going Out

I’m sporting this T-shirt today, because you guessed we are STAYING IN for NYE (New Year’s Eve). I’m totally okay with it because we are having Brad’s sister and husband and his sister and husband (that’s a mouth full!) over for some chowing, chatting, and chiming in the New Year. 

What are YOU doing New Year’s? 

Does it involve GOING OUT or STAYING IN? 

If you’re GOING OUT share your plans with us, so those of us who are staying in can somehow justify how we are “cooler” for staying put.  =)

If you’re STAYING IN what’s on your menu?  What kinds of things do you do to entertain your family or guests? 

Why did you pick one over the other?

Wishing You a Very “Murray” Christmas!

Ain’t God Good

My pastor growing up used to sing a song that went like this…

If you’d like to flashback to 1986 with some really bad hair, you can check out this YouTube video to hear it.  (Of course it’s Southern Gospel, when else is “Ain’t” musically acceptable?)

I’ve been singing it all night. 

Not only does He bless us EVERY DAY with His mercy, grace, and love; Today was a day that can only be explained through His goodness and His provision.

If you don’t mind I’d love to share the story with you…

I’m sitting on the couch during nap time checking comments on the blog when the doorbell rings.  I jump up to answer it and there is a lady standing there with a card in her hand.  My first thoughts were,

“Are you one of my neighbors delivering us a Christmas card?” 

“Do I know you?”

“Stink, I don’t have a Christmas card ready for you…whoever you are.”

Very quickly she handed me the card and said, “I have a delivery for you.” And just like that she was GONE. 

Puzzled, I opened the card and out fell 4 one-hundred dollar bills.  Incredible!

Absolutely INCREDIBLE!

The card was addressed to Brad, Jen, Brooks, Clark, Henry, and Isaac and simply signed from “Our Family” 

Minutes later Brad made a call to our mechanic to find out if our car was diagnosed yet.  A low fluid indicator light has been coming on, even after refilling it with anti-freeze.  Turns out the heater core is leaking coolant just behind the dashboard.  To fix it will cost around $450! 

Minutes after that a guy called about an item that we listed on Craigslist a few weeks back to see if it was still available.  We had all but given up on selling it, since we hadn’t had any real interest or inquiries.  Lo and behold, he came by the house and it was sold.  The price that the item sold for should take care of taxes and leave a cushion for the repairs. 

Isn’t that down right AMAZING?   We are shocked, overjoyed, relieved, and we’ve even laughed out loud over the preciseness of God’s timing and provision.

People have been generous to us in many ways, and we feel exceedingly blessed and amazed by God’s provision for our family during this season of unemployment through the holidays. We are truly 4tunate!

Ain’t God Good? 

Worth Bundling Up For…

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Oh the weather outside WAS frightful…

The HOT COCOA was so delightful…

And since we’VE SOMEPLACE to go…

Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!

 

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Quads 1st Christmas Program

I’ve been having lots of surreal moments this holiday season.  Moments that flash me back to the pregnancy and I stop in amazement at the life I’m living out with 4 miracles.

Last week it happened when I stepped inside the NICU doors for the first time since we carried our preemies out in their car seats.  Last night it was when my 4 little guys participated in their first Christmas program.  Had it really been 3 years since I got special permission from Dr. Sumners to attend my nephew’s first Christmas program?  It’s hard to believe that much time has lapsed since my borrowed Lazy Boy Bedrest Mobile was transported to the back entry of the church so I could be present for his big debut, not knowing what the next Christmas would hold. 

So watching them up there was quite a moment, to say the least. It didn’t bother me the slightest that they didn’t sing or do the motions.  You and I both know they know it by heart.  All that mattered was they are all here with us now. 

It’s the season of miracles.  

 

After the program we celebrated with cookies, friends, and family!

 

Christmas Past (Round 2)

One of the enjoyable things about Christmas is remembering past Christmas memories; Recalling family gatherings, church Christmas programs, a favorite gift, a precious memory with loved ones, Christmas ornaments from the past, and traditions that will not be forgotten.

I’m thankful that not only do I have beautiful memories in my mind of my Christmas’ B.Q. (Before Quads), but I have this blog to help me collect and retain the stories of Christmas with our family of 6.  It’s one of the main reasons I continue to blog, and hope that my boys will cherish the written memories and photographs of their childhood. 

To those of you who have joined us along the way, I thought I would post the links to some of our favorite family Christmas Past memories thus far.  I hope you enjoy looking back with us, and look forward to sharing more with us this Christmas!

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like a 1st Christmas (December 2007)

Visons of Sugar Plums (December 2007)

Please Christmas Don’t Be Late! (December 2007)

4 Babies in a Bed on Christmas Morning (December 2007)

Top 5 Christmas Traditions to Be Shared (December 2007)

Christmas Card Rejects (December 2008)

A Long Winter’s Nap (December 2008)

Christmas Caroling Blog Style (December 2008)

The Gift That Keeps on Chuggin’ (December 2008)

Christmas AM (December 2008)

Wrapping Up Christmas (December 2008)

Hope you are enjoying the true spirit of this CHRISTmas season!

Life IS Beautiful…

What I love most about my sweet friend Megan’s photography, Megelaine Images, is her eye for capturing LIFE.  It’s not staged and uncomfortable; It’s capturing the sweet moments of your child’s life.  She brings out the beauty of an ordinary day, and makes you fall in love with the small, precious moments you might have otherwise missed. 

Here’s a handful of my favorites from our October shoot with Megan and her stellar side-kick husband Tim (also known as the Swedish Fish Treat Guy): 

These images have brought me to tears more than once, knowing that a beautiful time in our lives has been captured.  I cannot thank Megan enough for sharing her gift with our family. It’s absolutely priceless! 

Megan has posted even more selections from our day on her photography blog, so you’ll want to check them out! I’m sure she would LOVE to capture your family as well, whether it’s a wedding celebration or a family shoot, you will not be disappointed! In addition, Megan is offering a $100 print credit with a Children’s Lifestyle Session booked and shot between now and March 1, 2010 by mentioning “quad love” in your email inquiry. Check out her website (it’s one rockin’ website), Megelaine Images, for more details!

How will I ever choose which ones to hang on the walls?