tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74684988920845601872024-02-07T04:55:14.547-05:00Discovering USCome along with us as we discover us (ourselves, others and God’s creation) and the U.S~~Sierra~~http://www.blogger.com/profile/18282727581984506272noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-49671147185292819032015-10-04T07:30:00.000-04:002015-10-04T08:49:55.524-04:00Making a Carriage Out of a Pumpkin<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjhVjR4OuugWDEdEBlsR7TMFKl9n0atvOUa4y4fBhcxxMJlpED0CMI5fN2mSh-yYNPeh6clDr832kyrgEpkIoOLvso07NIxxPPe037_XerLYRgfjeDFKc0QD46FncEAgZ0N5Y4VjUBaE/s1600/Text+here+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Making a Cinderella Carriage out of a foam pumpkin for a Disney Princess Party." border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjhVjR4OuugWDEdEBlsR7TMFKl9n0atvOUa4y4fBhcxxMJlpED0CMI5fN2mSh-yYNPeh6clDr832kyrgEpkIoOLvso07NIxxPPe037_XerLYRgfjeDFKc0QD46FncEAgZ0N5Y4VjUBaE/s320/Text+here+%25282%2529.jpg" title="DIY Cinderella Carriage" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you make a carriage out of a pumpkin?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was in the middle of planning Katie's Disney Princess Party, when I got the idea to make a Cinderella Carriage out of a foam pumpkin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After searching the internet and finding nothing except how to carve a real pumpkin into a carriage, I decided to just let my creative juices flow. So, if you are reading this blog post because you to want to make a carriage out of a pumpkin and landed here, I hope this helps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #1 - Purchase foam pumpkins</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Notice I used the plural. Never just get one. The unthinkable will happen and you will have to go back to the store. I have learned this the hard way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYVROof9MaHoZ8uPXL-fj8HHmAY1z17n4ffQAXYBTAKyVRPVIhTInA2bMcaluSr4zA2QBSSh2zOm4p23YtqV1JytV5WEy6ifmrfDnUx6gS4CCATWOygUk9TguVdsmMj_wa5ovYD23zR0/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="foam pumpkin" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYVROof9MaHoZ8uPXL-fj8HHmAY1z17n4ffQAXYBTAKyVRPVIhTInA2bMcaluSr4zA2QBSSh2zOm4p23YtqV1JytV5WEy6ifmrfDnUx6gS4CCATWOygUk9TguVdsmMj_wa5ovYD23zR0/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" title="DYI Cinderella Carrage" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I purchased this pumpkin and one just like it at The Dollar Tree for you guessed it just $1.00.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #2 - Get some paint.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I chose gold, white, silver and Ice Crystal White. I also bought a silver paint pen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, I painted 2 coats of white letting each coat dry before applying the second. Next, the Ice Crystal White was painted on over the white. Painting two coats of this color gave the pumpkin a nice glittery white finish. Finally, I put several coats of gold on the stem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG09bpSilyZtz-UYr7r1j6uAEkSCN3YjM8nEdha19xwZRvElUXjKGJo9ysjh-kTS-wCdjUBRfBo6JCmXVxMOBKD53wumajj0Hz2k7JpjajxSFHxoLlGxJ-ki0Mp2uPjAvsV86yFI_COWw/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pumpkin painted white" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG09bpSilyZtz-UYr7r1j6uAEkSCN3YjM8nEdha19xwZRvElUXjKGJo9ysjh-kTS-wCdjUBRfBo6JCmXVxMOBKD53wumajj0Hz2k7JpjajxSFHxoLlGxJ-ki0Mp2uPjAvsV86yFI_COWw/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" title="Paint foam pumpkin" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you think? Is it beginning to look like a royal pumpkin fit for a princess?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AYbd3ZY5OIB_SLQGFeudWcmKIDKA2w2t8LQHjnr5yvUeBrQ_BdxWd-OwV4dtSuctc7Ia25ODBRT8lG8LRh8AC5hCRlYpTC0np8u19qnKWwHpsGyr5Fn0GF22qQnXkINhw5WrrWreWzU/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bought at Hobby Lobby" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AYbd3ZY5OIB_SLQGFeudWcmKIDKA2w2t8LQHjnr5yvUeBrQ_BdxWd-OwV4dtSuctc7Ia25ODBRT8lG8LRh8AC5hCRlYpTC0np8u19qnKWwHpsGyr5Fn0GF22qQnXkINhw5WrrWreWzU/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" title="Wheels and Dowel for carriage" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #3 - While you are getting paint, purchase some wooden wheels and a dowel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Knowing which wheels I was going to purchase, I opened the pack in the store to make sure the dowel would fit in the hole on the wheel. I am thankful that I did this because the first dowel I picked up would not go in the hole. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever been in the middle of a project and realized you bought the wrong size, color, or object and had to go back to the store? Whew, I am glad I am not the only one!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pFEKA_L60GxWt1jVC1Er_PR8RgL5wumXJhBvrKOs5oU2ZbQMvITIGhSnBwP6fr12xKlvMKguGX5qN6MPIZ8Gu83uw0A0ZMn5yVDZULyg76DJgdJ2DUCZnJnjTusTGq9E6t9iFkhCMCY/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paint the wheels" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pFEKA_L60GxWt1jVC1Er_PR8RgL5wumXJhBvrKOs5oU2ZbQMvITIGhSnBwP6fr12xKlvMKguGX5qN6MPIZ8Gu83uw0A0ZMn5yVDZULyg76DJgdJ2DUCZnJnjTusTGq9E6t9iFkhCMCY/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" title="Wooden Wheels" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #4 - Paint the wheels and dowel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see, the wheels are silver with a gold center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #5 - Cut the dowel and paint it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To get the measurement correct, I put one wheel on the end of the dowel and held up the other wheel where I thought it should go. Basically, I guessed. Worse case senerio, I would have to cut a little bit more off the dowel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My husband cut the dowel with his jigsaw. Painting the dowel gold was the easy part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Step #6 - Draw on the door and windows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again, I looked on the internet for carriage door and window designs. The hard part was how to draw the design on the pumpkin exactly where it needed to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After thinking and thinking, I decided to draw it on paper and cut it out. I pinned it on the pumpkin with a straight pin to make sure my placement was correct. Then, I removed the door, traced the back of the design in pencil, and repined it on the front. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After tracing over the top of the design and removing the paper, the pencil mark transfer to the pumpkin. SCORE!! I was in business. After doing the same thing with the windows, I got out my paint pen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRAxpJ4UXZgAtA8RtsoAtGWTpj0g5mxQfU9J-12mJSgw8C7WA7QZAKemdCZveP2tR-18EFF7b4SsX6qLw_H0kwIEi_RWqOWHcPjCQk8-_zKbEUy-fZbfan0SqiCv3Cu7HUanUxS89Hos/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carriage door on pumpkin" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRAxpJ4UXZgAtA8RtsoAtGWTpj0g5mxQfU9J-12mJSgw8C7WA7QZAKemdCZveP2tR-18EFF7b4SsX6qLw_H0kwIEi_RWqOWHcPjCQk8-_zKbEUy-fZbfan0SqiCv3Cu7HUanUxS89Hos/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" title="Transfer design to pumpkin" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not really pleased with my drawing, but hey it is just for a birthday party. It does not have to be perfect. I am not the Fairy God Mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Step #7- Trace over the design with a paint pen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to trace the outside with the silver paint pen and fill in with gold. I also added a gold crown to the front of the door. Make sure the first color of paint is dry before you paint the second color. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #7 - Assemble the wheels on the dowel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While the pumpkin was drying, I assembled the wheels on the dowels. My dowels fit into the holes on the wheels securely without glue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #8 - Glue the pumpkin onto the wheels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This proved to be the hardest part. If you find an easy way to get the pumpkin on the wheels without the wheels rolling or the pumpkin falling, please leave it in the comments below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It took Sierra to hold the wheels while I placed the pumpkin on top of the dowel. Using white school glue, to glue the pumpkin to the dowel, was our first option . </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, this didn't work the best. It was late the night before the party and I was just about to give up when my husband said that he had some adhesive spray. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sierra sat a book in front of the wheels on each side to prevent the wheel from rolling. Then, she sprayed the dowel and pumpkin. This did turn the pumpkin a white color but on the white pumpkin it was not that noticeable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't even paint over it until after the party. No one noticed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step #9 - Place Fairy God Mother in front of the carriage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found <a href="http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2012/07/fairy-godmother-papercraft-sf-printable-0612_FDCOM.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red;">this printable</span></a> while searching for Disney Princess Party Décor. After cutting it out, I had difficultly putting her together. Sierra's boyfriend, Isaac, came to my rescue. He assembled Fairy God Mother in less than 15 minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks Isaac and Sierra for all your help. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Right before midnight, (Really!), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI29ogOOkqmfYRihAs2BFAnef_BIbYbZAirHdPr3sRQjn_luvOtYCcnrL-cXLfk_RAR8zodGfs3fGkLV5wHjyjWpFtqiqPZqJQpzfKcdRHYrqCL0pUF2CxkHx6ja2XfDyTeLRxfUAvt4s/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DYI Cinderella Carriage" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI29ogOOkqmfYRihAs2BFAnef_BIbYbZAirHdPr3sRQjn_luvOtYCcnrL-cXLfk_RAR8zodGfs3fGkLV5wHjyjWpFtqiqPZqJQpzfKcdRHYrqCL0pUF2CxkHx6ja2XfDyTeLRxfUAvt4s/s320/DSC_0173.JPG" title="Pumpkin turned Cinderella Carriage" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cinderella's Carriage</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This made a cute decoration sitting beside the cake. If you decide to make this project, I would love to see your results and hear your comments. One final step-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have Fun It's A Party!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to see more decorations and ideas for a Disney Princess Party check back in a few days and the details on the party along including food will be up on the blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Supply List</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1- foam pumpkin</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paint - the colors needed for pumpkin, stem, wheels, and dowel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A paint pen </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paint brush</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wood Glue or Spray Adhesive</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A design for door and windows</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pencil </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Straight Pin</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-34894323985351967342015-09-27T18:17:00.000-04:002015-09-28T00:46:07.976-04:00Options When Painting a School Bus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8hVHNCyZ66VdY4hLxUCR0rF8OEfr32VTuEDL3We2UEkUHrefVCYKQILYAcCWBac0Bc3TQvqrQIrwG4w_ImFiLrQwpfFYM24MXuL_YpvnHEWp8lWH-rK7fsb0YTpMEdGkxBGMv8nLTUQ/s1600/Painting+a+School+Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Painting a school bus turned RV can be done on a budget. Read this for step by step instructions. " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8hVHNCyZ66VdY4hLxUCR0rF8OEfr32VTuEDL3We2UEkUHrefVCYKQILYAcCWBac0Bc3TQvqrQIrwG4w_ImFiLrQwpfFYM24MXuL_YpvnHEWp8lWH-rK7fsb0YTpMEdGkxBGMv8nLTUQ/s400/Painting+a+School+Bus.jpg" title="You can Paint a School Bus turned RV for less than $200. Check this out for instructions." width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Painting a School Bus</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Exciting changes are happening to<span style="background-color: red;"> </span></span><a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-school-bus-becomes-home.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;">Bus #2</span></a><span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff has started working on the outside of the bus because around this time of year it rains;</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the ground gets damp, and then the snow begins to fall. Jeff says that we go from the "rainy season" (autumn) straight into winter. The ground does not dry out until late April. As you can see in the picture above, the bus is parked in our yard. This will be a muddy, slippery, mess once the rainy season starts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, Jeff wants to finish the outside of the bus and get it move into our driveway. (Side note- the air units, vent pipes, and circulation vents have been installed on the top of the bus.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we bought <a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2009/06/our-bus.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red;">our first bus</span></a>, it was already painted and we didn't change the color. Therefore, this time we had to do a little research on how to paint a school bus. We found <span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://thewolfbus.com/" target="_blank">this website helpful</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Option #1 -</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Take it to an auto body shop that paints cars. This was going to cost around $ 2000.00. There had to be a more economical way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Option #2 -</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Take the bus to a guy Jeff met that repairs RVs/campers. This option was going to cost around $ 1600.00. That sounded better but we decided to look into other options. If we took option #2, I was going to have to give up some cute décor inside the bus. Now ladies, you know that having to sacrifice the cute and pretty things was just not an option I liked. So... Option #3 was a must find.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Option #3-</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Figure out how to paint the bus ourselves. Jeff and I looked over several websites and we found <a href="http://www.vonslatt.com/bus-main.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red;">this site</span></a>. Total cost would be under $200.00. Now this option sounded like a winner to me. However, it didn't come without sacrifice. But, I am getting ahead of myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a few things that had to be done before Jeff could start painting the bus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtaLCpmsJOuCpiZbF_OCWJ1ZozJINMecOOiOKO7gGF-78RpPqXGYBYApTjJhc80BOGqOIADBe-a3ohithgfS-8iZGRSWUmwjjMROOA2-4KU1_YyavAh6FCWt4vqZaTEd_LNsakTk8uXc/s1600/DSC_0054+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Coil Metal Siding cut to fit windows." border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtaLCpmsJOuCpiZbF_OCWJ1ZozJINMecOOiOKO7gGF-78RpPqXGYBYApTjJhc80BOGqOIADBe-a3ohithgfS-8iZGRSWUmwjjMROOA2-4KU1_YyavAh6FCWt4vqZaTEd_LNsakTk8uXc/s320/DSC_0054+%25282%2529.JPG" title="Covering up school bus windows" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. </span>Jeff had to cover up the windows that we no longer wanted to use. He started by gluing Styrofoam insulation to the windows using Liquid Nails. Next, he measured the windows and cut Trim Coil Metal Siding to fit each window. (The siding comes in a roll and can be bought at your local Lowes.) Jeff glued the siding onto the foam with Liquid Nails and then used 1/2 inch self-tapping metal screws to secure the metal siding in place around the edge of the window. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA647oKxDmzsJYe6sggIOUZQCtTVKKQPjGIPr8a3wkjzXFcUzQNO1aHYeInD4MeYhxYnlLQVuQckOnIYmXnScyATTLQ6C6ro-usu8XOI9ZwsXcKU8iEEZd5IurH2C_93gFdpKpxmMvxvs/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Covering up school bus windows on back door." border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA647oKxDmzsJYe6sggIOUZQCtTVKKQPjGIPr8a3wkjzXFcUzQNO1aHYeInD4MeYhxYnlLQVuQckOnIYmXnScyATTLQ6C6ro-usu8XOI9ZwsXcKU8iEEZd5IurH2C_93gFdpKpxmMvxvs/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" title="Coil Metal Siding to cover windows on door." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He even covered up all the glass on the back door and the holes where he removed some of the lights.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3YgG7kKpiGH4AG6xsvePOqq3qGX-dk4qGtCbq_iwMJwu5zGke07PZMtu1PVbuETtFKvkACY0dNZo0IsL6ferkUrsx5RXO5RcjlSTm5c89fGytxIj4gpzwOJXj_EH2vYa2mRjL_grZ6U/s1600/DSC_0054+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> He washed the bus with a presser washer.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Jeff used an electric sander to sand all the rust and rough spots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4.</span> Finally, Joshua and Jeff removed all the reflectors that needed to be replaced. Then, Jeff spray painted the bus black in spots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Now just imagine my face when I woke up the next morning and saw black spray paint all over the bus! It looked like a graffiti artist painted the bus after drinking a six pack. I was quite surprised. After breakfast, I politely ask my husband to explain, "WHY DID YOU SPRAY BLACK PAINT ON THE BUS!" Of course, his sweet reply was because if he didn't and it rained he would have to sand the rust off again. To which, I ever so calmly said, "OHHH, that was a great idea!" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVruDAutTxyHkyNk7fDmcqiaZnmg0eCTn4brTrZ9mWJhyDRmcszxc2LQiKu79U3WMpbm2a5rKyg7zjxfN_cRtPEHEnnJ15-dJEfPKkYk2GUhsLYaJmy2gO5mW5OCExVD4s-8h2J3pXSQ/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Preventing more rust" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVruDAutTxyHkyNk7fDmcqiaZnmg0eCTn4brTrZ9mWJhyDRmcszxc2LQiKu79U3WMpbm2a5rKyg7zjxfN_cRtPEHEnnJ15-dJEfPKkYk2GUhsLYaJmy2gO5mW5OCExVD4s-8h2J3pXSQ/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" title="Sand rust and paint " width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">5.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Now that the bus was ready to paint, we had to decide on the colors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I came up with what I thought was an ingenious idea which was to have the children enter a contest for the best bus design. I drew the bus, printed it off with instructions and handed them out to the children. Let's just say they didn't think it was such a good idea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, Jeff and I sat down and searched the internet for RV colors. Also, we looked at several designs of skoolies. I wanted something with stripes and swirls. Jeff wanted simple and easy. Well, I had to give in because I was not the one painting the bus. However, Jeff is sweet guy and said that he would put one stripe on the bus. That sounded like a great compromise to me.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I got out my colored pencils and set to work coloring our bus! We decided to go with blue, tan or almond, and a gold or copper stripe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuO0PR0Kuq66dq-cvK0QDbgN-DcGWF8_wlyRJAcTEGXgwwTqwLwOoaXcpKtxUUZn0pWnlcx6vcd0BPQTlyarcrKCk1v0vpUn9M3jA9TDVV8BSvPX9BBOEV3DeVg6kfafodKCYYmZhuqk/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Skoolie Paint Job" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuO0PR0Kuq66dq-cvK0QDbgN-DcGWF8_wlyRJAcTEGXgwwTqwLwOoaXcpKtxUUZn0pWnlcx6vcd0BPQTlyarcrKCk1v0vpUn9M3jA9TDVV8BSvPX9BBOEV3DeVg6kfafodKCYYmZhuqk/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" title="Rough Sketch of bus paint job" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the right side of the bus. I left the stripe white because we hadn't picked the exact color.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4TqUF7IQDVYXbVZHlr02hgDqR9a3HrWd3dHQSjiz56HNxw4MU07ItKp4zjBUsf6lb01yi-FTatZuv7eBjecQPfEuikJiG100L-wPXnHA4xJraQ7opOsNkHgqZ58Qj7PoHcm7wg8uTcE/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Painting the bus with colored pencils" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4TqUF7IQDVYXbVZHlr02hgDqR9a3HrWd3dHQSjiz56HNxw4MU07ItKp4zjBUsf6lb01yi-FTatZuv7eBjecQPfEuikJiG100L-wPXnHA4xJraQ7opOsNkHgqZ58Qj7PoHcm7wg8uTcE/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" title="Bus Paint Job" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the left side. We decided the back was going to be solid blue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now, back to the sacrifice because we chose OPTION #3 - painting the bus ourselves</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Jeff called several different stores before finding one who had the paint we needed. The next day, he left to go get the paint. Around 3:00, he returned with NO paint. He had driven to several stores and no one had what he needed; even though, they told him on the phone that they carried the product. Finally, at the end of the day, he talked to a lady in a town over an hour away and she said that she could help him in the morning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff left early the next morning, hoping to get home by lunch so he could get coat number one on the bus before dinner. Didn't happen! He got to the store and the clerk had trouble mixing the paint. After 2 hours, he had the blue and almond but they were having trouble with the gold. Jeff called and explained the problems he was having and I suggested to just get a grey paint for the stripe. If we didn't like the grey stripe we could just paint over it with blue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Well.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7vdyakLeyzbh6EFQ9k8kT72TZuISLKGC9cZT8_etb2SKEoosvdRVfxSTaWFQaYVqX2zqqm9j5Q5oDOpcOptK1MgwtDHf1OKOug6ZHeHQIuC4mZJ32Nfpl72_KqRssA4SUeiXMkT1U9c/s1600/DSC_0056+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Painting a School Bus" border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7vdyakLeyzbh6EFQ9k8kT72TZuISLKGC9cZT8_etb2SKEoosvdRVfxSTaWFQaYVqX2zqqm9j5Q5oDOpcOptK1MgwtDHf1OKOug6ZHeHQIuC4mZJ32Nfpl72_KqRssA4SUeiXMkT1U9c/s320/DSC_0056+%25282%2529.JPG" title="Supplies needed to Paint Bus" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just look what color he came home with! See the color on the bottom of the can on the right. What color does that look like to you? Let me tell you, I was told it was Heritage Gold. I said, "OH HECK NO! That is SCHOOL BUS YELLOW!" Yep, I bet you thought the same thing!! Jeff said that he honestly didn't think I was going to like it but he was just tired of the clerk continuing to mix the colors wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the day Jeff had, I did what any wise women would do, I just sashayed my bottom right up to the house and started fixing dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After dinner, Jeff and I went back outside to the bus where we agreed that the stripe would look much better black which is the color Jeff suggested in the beginning. I had to admit I was wrong and it cost us $30.00! Ugh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning, Jeff washed the bus again. Then, wiped the entire bus down with paint thinner. He decided to just go to Lowe's and get an oil base exterior paint in BLACK for the stripe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ9ENp6jXnReJ38tmPeGUxfMecKPAleSTWPdMpMkB43niVwM-L4aBExiUzUPjFDNULgoL19vG4cHRq6HvtFGiNHm2CZCgA7LZfASrTo0u8Hd1-hKXRCN8Om3GdMEhwQUIizNsbo9LQVs/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Options for Painting a Skoolie" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ9ENp6jXnReJ38tmPeGUxfMecKPAleSTWPdMpMkB43niVwM-L4aBExiUzUPjFDNULgoL19vG4cHRq6HvtFGiNHm2CZCgA7LZfASrTo0u8Hd1-hKXRCN8Om3GdMEhwQUIizNsbo9LQVs/s320/DSC_0054.JPG" title="How to Paint a School Bus" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch, he started painting the almond color.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeJl65TCMLjCGa5NtG0jQK616xdqZdkDEYJfvR3F5yRo_SMJESZq_3Y3Aw5NmQWpqlifY6Psh999cSzvjcwtfZvW1NVuO2AxcZyFZXC0zVlalf04VHUud9N7xyVgRJL4tg_XMPhOb8bA/s1600/DSC_0052+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DYI Painting a School Bus" border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeJl65TCMLjCGa5NtG0jQK616xdqZdkDEYJfvR3F5yRo_SMJESZq_3Y3Aw5NmQWpqlifY6Psh999cSzvjcwtfZvW1NVuO2AxcZyFZXC0zVlalf04VHUud9N7xyVgRJL4tg_XMPhOb8bA/s320/DSC_0052+%25282%2529.JPG" title="DYI Paint Job" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day, he painted the blue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Jeff finished painting the blue, there was some comments made by family members that it resembled a prison bus. Truthfully, there are days I feel like a warden so this is fitting! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlMgnu1XwxTkYVYmiwd8WrGhYewrTcpaAPwZWmAilhFJZk4gmc2vThZaawjPi8UB1kAz62PqVNCwSzBh0SzJLSEeeanDLD7rlK9881N0daPoKPZ2eTkIlNwNFSW5IEZhAUTPs8_t8vmY/s1600/DSC_0072+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding a stripe" border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlMgnu1XwxTkYVYmiwd8WrGhYewrTcpaAPwZWmAilhFJZk4gmc2vThZaawjPi8UB1kAz62PqVNCwSzBh0SzJLSEeeanDLD7rlK9881N0daPoKPZ2eTkIlNwNFSW5IEZhAUTPs8_t8vmY/s320/DSC_0072+%25282%2529.JPG" title="Marking off for the stripe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The following day, he marked off the stripe. He decided to wait a few days before painting on the black stripe. He busied himself by doing a few things inside the bus. I will write about those in another post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After being sick for several days, I walked outside and saw this sitting in our driveway.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEi9N15XdRUx32Pz-H_ARpeyA6KrHx42wkT6eroowEGeFOIdbb4lQzTD6V2N-v2GgsABw0-Mllqf8HNUaZgxhq4eev_rdr8Y5T2FQJr7oUKfhtjX7BuBHB4wPkB4HCQh-IdyHfjdSTHY/s1600/DSC_0003+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Paint a School Bus" border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEi9N15XdRUx32Pz-H_ARpeyA6KrHx42wkT6eroowEGeFOIdbb4lQzTD6V2N-v2GgsABw0-Mllqf8HNUaZgxhq4eev_rdr8Y5T2FQJr7oUKfhtjX7BuBHB4wPkB4HCQh-IdyHfjdSTHY/s320/DSC_0003+%25282%2529.JPG" title="Bus #2 sporting new colors" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is so pretty!!! Jeff took the "Blue Bird" letters off and painted them black and came up with the design on front of the bus. He did an amazing job, don't you think?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCVQafz_R5_R5bHAMSOHpfPdhD3BtYcTYq5MohzMrB96wvUqeVCvuQBEez0rRmZNTRYHxlj5T199nDHO83yKlMcIR39PHNu4hNkJctFKH1vVZ3ASs5v8LEa4RzkFpWCNlJttk0ZPnnq0/s1600/DSC_0005+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Painting a Skoolie can be done with less than $200" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCVQafz_R5_R5bHAMSOHpfPdhD3BtYcTYq5MohzMrB96wvUqeVCvuQBEez0rRmZNTRYHxlj5T199nDHO83yKlMcIR39PHNu4hNkJctFKH1vVZ3ASs5v8LEa4RzkFpWCNlJttk0ZPnnq0/s320/DSC_0005+%25282%2529.JPG" title="DYI Painting a school bus" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Notice that Jeff added another stripe across the top. He also painted the mirrors and secured them back on the bus. He is awesome!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Before</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3Gme-GqVmN9OUB8l_Ki0UHqWEQkjEX75BQPJxAuWAOl6HEBYZEuWcNxebULRr30oL0iLTmw-T6Tuw3o6EvGAP6elCreOtV4pAQxYRyiSKOtBqq6o-p50eJSfJPvmnA4Ma-AqP71zJW0/s1600/DSC_0032+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Before DYI Paint Job" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3Gme-GqVmN9OUB8l_Ki0UHqWEQkjEX75BQPJxAuWAOl6HEBYZEuWcNxebULRr30oL0iLTmw-T6Tuw3o6EvGAP6elCreOtV4pAQxYRyiSKOtBqq6o-p50eJSfJPvmnA4Ma-AqP71zJW0/s320/DSC_0032+%25282%2529.JPG" title="Bus #2" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> After</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6c1D7S5zFmxNEhuXYmb1UnzePmFjPHc7d_I00Kw53KkKc0cVtfzB71M_4KFdnMF93i3Qnx3c650agwkKtc4g3FBsgE4cXFIbAxMSitCGL7k7Sh-JN4_ihkZwbZ4VGrcCqmjlnXfUpx4/s1600/DSC_0002+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Painting a School Bus turned RV for less than $200 can be done. Check out how we did it." border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6c1D7S5zFmxNEhuXYmb1UnzePmFjPHc7d_I00Kw53KkKc0cVtfzB71M_4KFdnMF93i3Qnx3c650agwkKtc4g3FBsgE4cXFIbAxMSitCGL7k7Sh-JN4_ihkZwbZ4VGrcCqmjlnXfUpx4/s320/DSC_0002+%25282%2529.JPG" title="3 Options for Painting a Bus" width="242" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! We are pleased with the results for the money we spent. Jeff wanted me to tell you all that this paint is extremely hard to paint with and it does bubble up. Because he was painting the bus outside, bugs were attracted to the paint and got stuck in it. He removed them and touched up the spots the following day. Also, Jeff said that if we had taken option #1 or #2 the paint job would have a professional look. We both agreed for the price difference, we were pleased with the results. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What option would you have chosen?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are thinking about turning a school bus into an RV and want to paint it yourself, Jeff is available to answer questions if you leave them in the comments below.</span> <br />
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<span id="goog_1672386310"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1672386311"></span><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-11235867279212994422015-09-25T23:20:00.001-04:002015-09-25T23:20:26.409-04:00Who inspires You?<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Who Inspires You?" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoTTf9S63T29ZeVeWQyC6_ffFi6-5-d7eSOisYfRpaRPUW0uuNXAcF0TBHCOYAihDgJkJkMPJ_vl7Gx2ln8TDEj0Sa61IrmDOw0L6WK_Ifk8-F9zWxPHffpgLtWQQ31k4i4EEh2utk_s/s400/Because+Someone+Inspired+Me..jpg" title="We have her because someone inspired me." width="266" /></h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Has there ever been anyone in your life that has inspired you? Someone that has made an impact on your life for the better, or someone who even on your busiest days comes to your mind?</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I think about these questions several people come to my mind but one person holds a special place in my life. That person is Katie Vaughn. Katie Vaughan was the little sister to my best friend when I was around 7 years old. I remember sitting on the floor watching Katie learn to sit up, watching her crawl and then</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">watching her walk. Julie and I used to play "house" and whoever got to be the mommy that day would choose Katie as their baby.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then one day, I learned that Katie was in the hospital. (I really don't remember why. I could ask my Mama but why she was there is not the point.) When she came home, I ask my Mama if I could go play with her and I remember her saying over and over, "Not today, Mrs. Sue is having a hard time. Just play outside with Julie."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally one day, Mama, my sister and I went over to see Katie. She didn't look the same. She didn't talk. She didn't sit-up. She didn't do anything but lay there and make loud noises. I looked into her eyes and my 7 year old heart hurt for my baby friend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From then on, Katie's mama just carried her around, or laid her on the couch. We played around Katie but she never played with us again. I watched her parents tirelessly care for her. I saw my Mom's friend cry tears that I didn't understand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometime later on, her parents had to place in Katie a home several hours away. At such a young age, I could not imagine why. (Again, why is not the point.) The point was that from that day forward, I never saw Katie Vaughn again. My baby friend was gone. I knew my friend Julie and her family visited her often but I was never allowed to tag alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, she has always remained in my heart, and in my mind. She made an impression on me that would not be forgotten. Night after night, year after year, I have prayed for her. As I got older, I had this feeling like I would some day have a special needs child. I promised myself if I ever did, I would name her Katie. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward many years, and I was in the delivery room giving birth to our daughter, little did everyone know that I thought that she would have some kind of special needs. It was more than the typical mama concerns. As soon as, she was placed on my belly, I did what most new mothers do. I counted fingers - 10, I counted toes- 10, I looked her all over and then asked the nurse her Apgar Score - 9. My beautiful baby was healthy and born with no concerns. We named her Sierra. I prayed for Katie Vaughn that night as I held my little girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the years passed, we could not have anymore children. We started looking into adoption and foster placement. We adopted 2 children and continued to be foster parents to others that went back home. When we received a foster placement of a special needs girl, I wondered if this was supposed to be my little Katie. However, it quickly became apparent that, Lillian was just a step in preparing us for our special little one. When Lillian returned home to her family, we all felt empty. We began to pray for God to bless us with another child. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then the day came, we got the call for our little girl. She was special in many ways. She also came with 3 siblings. From the moment we met her, I knew it didn't matter what her diagnoses were or how many siblings she had, she was suppose to be ours. My special needs daughter. I kept all this to myself out of fear. Fear I was wrong, fear of the unknown, fear of what others would think, and fear that I was right. Then one night, Katie Vaughn popped into my prayers. As I prayed for her, I knew! The 6 year old little girl sleeping down the hall in her bed was our Katie. We changed her name! I would be Katie's mommy forever! I had been blessed with a special needs child. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just a few weeks ago, Katie Vaughn's dad passed away. My Mom went to the funeral and talked to Katie's sister, Julie. Julie said that Katie was still living in the home and doing as well as expected. Once again, Katie Vaughn made an impact on my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, this past July we were told that our Katie only had 3-5 years to live. I have really been struggling with how to feel, what to <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>think, and what to do next. I am sure that many years ago in a hospital room, Katie Vaughn's mama was told the prognosis for her little girl was not good; however, today she has out-lived both of her parents.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Has there every been anyone in your life that has inspired you? Someone that has made an impact on your life for the better, or someone who even on your busiest days comes to mind?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For me, Katie Vaughn has been that person and continues to inspire me to look to the future with our Katie and enjoy every moment that we have with our special girl. Only God holds our tomorrows!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who has inspired you?</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-57552452942959292092015-09-10T23:30:00.000-04:002015-09-12T19:04:30.200-04:00I Don't Need an Alarm Clock-- I Have Children!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgJeEfztjQCY4BG1i0fY2mAPqn-K0U0BlM0OL4sCMqBQINfWKiLUMI3bmW1GuMbx1jFeb5H-sj8hNWlWBd1ohvz-E_XtPIBGqUIMDzsRtaja8Dwt4hFuBJK8EpNp3Tq_Cr1Zuzh6X-Cc/s1600/How+Many+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Morning wake up call" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgJeEfztjQCY4BG1i0fY2mAPqn-K0U0BlM0OL4sCMqBQINfWKiLUMI3bmW1GuMbx1jFeb5H-sj8hNWlWBd1ohvz-E_XtPIBGqUIMDzsRtaja8Dwt4hFuBJK8EpNp3Tq_Cr1Zuzh6X-Cc/s320/How+Many+%25282%2529.jpg" title="I Don't Need an Alarm Clock - I have children" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How many alarm clocks do you have?</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't need an alarm clock--- I have children!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every morning, I either get woke up to Hannah yelling for the dog to leave her alone, to Katie screaming "Mooooommmmmyyy" because she is wet or worse, or to the boys fussing because one of them is farting and stinking up the room ON PURPOSE (or so they say). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, this morning was no different! Today, the sound of Katie screaming for me and crying because she was wet and her ileostomy wafer was coming off was my alarm. Like anyone else, I just wanted to push the snooze button. However, the snooze button was out of my room, down the hall and to the left!! Therefore, I reluctantly got up to see what was wrong. After wiping my eyes, I saw Jacob trying to help his sister get to the bathroom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NOW HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GRAPHIC. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BODILY FLUIDS JUST QUIT READING NOW. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Katie's ileostomy wafer was falling off and liquid poop was on the floor, all over Katie and everywhere in between. Then, I noticed black-eyed peas on the floor. Whole black-eyed peas on the bathroom floor, STRANGE unless you have a special needs child with an ileostomy. You see, we have been letting Katie eat a little bit of solid food. Last night, her nurse and I discussed giving Katie black-eyed peas and some rice. She told me Katie did excellent chewing her food. I am here to tell you Katie just acted like she was chewing after swallowing the peas WHOLE. Believe me there was NO teeth marks or mushed up peas on the bathroom floor. They had not been chewed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then, I noticed that a pea was lodged in Katie's ileostomy. (If you are not familiar with ileostomies, just look it up online. Oh never-mind, I will just give you a quick lesson. Essentially, it is a very small part of her small intestines which is pulled through her abdomen to make a way for stool to exit the body into a bag. Basically, she has an anus (stoma) on her belly.) Now that the science lesson is over-- back to the pea that is stuck in Katie's stoma.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once Katie was cleaned up and back on her bed, I put on gloves and prayed. Alright.... What to do....? Thinking..... OH YES!! I just decided to squeeze her belly just like I do when she has gas built up and her belly is bloated. I massaged her abdomen and started squeezing. YES!! Out popped the pea which landed on the bed about 18 inches from Katie's belly. I squeezed again and as you would imagine.... one pea, two peas, three peas galore! The peas continued to pop pop pop out of her belly. All of a sudden, Katie yelled, "Soup Beans!" and started laughing. I have to admit that I was laughing too. Joshua had come into the room to raise Katie's bed for me. (This has to be done manually by turning the crank on her hospital bed.) Just as he looked over the bed to see what was so funny, a pea popped out of Katie's stoma like the force of a cannon ball being released from Caption Hook's Ship headed to blow up Peter Pan. However, in this case it was headed toward Joshua's face. Drats, it landed about 6 inches too short. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this point, tears were rolling down my face and Joshua said, "I will never eat black-eyes peas again!" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The joys of having children with special needs are abundant. It is never dull in our house. All of this happened before 8am and COFFEE. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The nurse arrived and I gave her the report to which she agreed with Joshua and said that she would never eat peas again. I left her to clean up the peas and replace the wafer because I had to get in the shower and leave within the hour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a doctor day 2 hours away with Hannah for a diabetes checkup. Which by the way, was not uneventful but it's late and I am not going to write about that tonight. I better get in bed because I have no idea what alarm clock will wake me up in the morning and what I will have to do turn it off!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have an alarm clock like mine? If so, what strange things do you have to do before the noise with stop? How many alarm clocks to you have?</span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-64459590236129118522015-08-20T23:25:00.001-04:002015-09-28T00:47:25.134-04:00How Does A Bus Become A Home Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXgW7MThC-8XYpachjqG9ByOyODQcfZourhu2LV8tTnNQPA_g6LYHa2sQB6zWm-AXeuCxUgAqvBMNnTTbGJeYGM8joCP6DuZZEZPJ6BEyhCx22rPwtHFpVTCvVn-2ftK5g1GFJrrjqzA/s1600/How+Does+A%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0+School+Bus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXgW7MThC-8XYpachjqG9ByOyODQcfZourhu2LV8tTnNQPA_g6LYHa2sQB6zWm-AXeuCxUgAqvBMNnTTbGJeYGM8joCP6DuZZEZPJ6BEyhCx22rPwtHFpVTCvVn-2ftK5g1GFJrrjqzA/s320/How+Does+A%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0+School+Bus.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Part 2 in the series How Does a School Bus Become a Home. If you missed Part 1 you will find it </span><a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-school-bus-becomes-home.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. It took Jeff and members of our family only a few days to complete Part 1 of the bus build. However, I held up progress because I couldn't decide on what windows I wanted to keep and which ones to cover up. (If you notice in the photos below, there is blue tape on some windows. This tape reminds us which windows will get covered up by insulation.) Then, there was the day that I decided to change the floor plan around because the space between the shower and toilet area looked too small. This bus unlike </span><a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2009/11/take-tour-of-discovering-us-bus.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Bus #1</span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">,</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> will have a Master Bedroom with a bathroom. The shower and toilet/sink area will be separate to allow one person to take a shower and someone else to be on the toilet if need be. In our large family, anything that I can do to reduce waiting in line for the toilet is a huge plus. I don't like to wait on a teenage to finish showering when I have to go to the bathroom. Do you have this problem in your house? Well, hopefully this floor plan will reduce the times I have to wait. Anyway, I thought we needed more space between the shower and bathroom. So, Jeff had to take down a wall and shorten the bathroom area after he already was finished with the bathroom. He wasn't too happy about changing it but I am sure he will like the extra space once we are using it everyday. Jeff is awesome! (I had to throw that in there because he reads the blog. I love you Honey! Thanks for all you do to make me happy.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now, onto HOW DOES A SCHOOL BUS BECOME A HOME? PART 2</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Build the walls.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After you get the floor plan figured out and make all the adjustments, start building the walls. Jeff used 2x2 boards for the walls and secured them to the floor with deck screws. He built them just like you would build walls for a stick and brick house.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK31Tl3XTenJHH9fL9mLiKx4023lp2BrJKc89dlxXY3G67Q2cBCGkIpVSpUW7ujGtDugzPzOifzbOH6FgQhAL5cjIFCaA8rEJJTD5iAn6M_7VyGL6HbtSPqResS0mC3eHv4GneEJdrKc/s1600/DSC_0013+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="skoolie walls" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK31Tl3XTenJHH9fL9mLiKx4023lp2BrJKc89dlxXY3G67Q2cBCGkIpVSpUW7ujGtDugzPzOifzbOH6FgQhAL5cjIFCaA8rEJJTD5iAn6M_7VyGL6HbtSPqResS0mC3eHv4GneEJdrKc/s320/DSC_0013+%25282%2529.JPG" title="bus walls" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Install the wiring and electrical boxes</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff and I got together to figure out where we wanted the light switches and the outlets placed throughout the bus. It was important for me to have enough outlets for all of Katie's medical equipment. We ended up with 24 electrical boxes. Jeff used 12/2 wire with ground for the outlets and 14/2 wire with ground for the lights. We will have 30amp service when the bus is complete.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZZBiJ9-Zt51IH9_VnHk1RvzrzvJnGqBL1kNTDsyZ5cgTWn7GgJEry1N8ZONrM-UJ44TtJkR0fdU4MmBU7FJbm1lJphFBiDVJsGi4OrJTWodDkEHzzEbNR4oGVInclz2rA1krWoKxW_0/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wiring a school bus" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZZBiJ9-Zt51IH9_VnHk1RvzrzvJnGqBL1kNTDsyZ5cgTWn7GgJEry1N8ZONrM-UJ44TtJkR0fdU4MmBU7FJbm1lJphFBiDVJsGi4OrJTWodDkEHzzEbNR4oGVInclz2rA1krWoKxW_0/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" title="installing electrial boxes and wiring" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Insulate the walls</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff found these Styrofoam insulation sheets for free on </span><span style="font-size: large;">Craigslist.org </span><span style="font-size: large;">. They were 2x3 sheets and were 1/2 inch thick. Jeff would call out the measurement that he needed and Jacob would measure and cut the insulation sheet for Jeff. Hannah and Jeff would slide the sheets in between the bus wall and the studs. That is until Hannah got bored and left Jeff to finish the walls by himself. All the walls have 3 sheets of Styrofoam insulation. In addition, the bus walls were already insulated behind the metal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o4qyb5vz8gtCWvMogGExF358RcgRFUmZQKm8IKVQ66RJd6m3be5c8PPuUJt2ohua61zSXHpWLKNOb0c075bLf7qNhPFL4fzjwhcqjGlXPxrXjnjjudWK3SZtuGkul2eXFFGtWU1hs0s/s1600/DSC_0027+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o4qyb5vz8gtCWvMogGExF358RcgRFUmZQKm8IKVQ66RJd6m3be5c8PPuUJt2ohua61zSXHpWLKNOb0c075bLf7qNhPFL4fzjwhcqjGlXPxrXjnjjudWK3SZtuGkul2eXFFGtWU1hs0s/s320/DSC_0027+%25282%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Insulate the Windows</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff covered the inside of each window with the Styrofoam insulation sheets. He put 4 sheets on each window. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5Qq6eqvnhsXz4DubFLrhD8mC4R_ttbFagsUuswY-6d2gV1nmCjBfcm97k2sCiciGBf3mbg5Li_xBpxGLTgbMu4sObA8RWaWAQ5HXd-b5LDntmkPkQxesqPInO9NX_Bxl0AZ9vjLFh6o/s1600/DSC_0033+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAnHHxkan1YaTpkZ8L5hAnCFUbdDCWkLfbWkXf4QUpm_9_64byXy8IV9SYkB_hnfpHHC2MJnGmiKcmxR0uWFvO1Z_LsV3QG3tPOXwruuhmx4RFC2eFpGGhevTetRbyq9BLzNxXuKPVCY/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Styrofoam insulation " border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAnHHxkan1YaTpkZ8L5hAnCFUbdDCWkLfbWkXf4QUpm_9_64byXy8IV9SYkB_hnfpHHC2MJnGmiKcmxR0uWFvO1Z_LsV3QG3tPOXwruuhmx4RFC2eFpGGhevTetRbyq9BLzNxXuKPVCY/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" title="insulating a school bus" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Secure the Insulation</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeff taped all the insulation together with masking tape to secure it until the walls were built. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m774OYLWJidyhemAhcbNxir1G0zr7vb_rmRE_gzW5GGV766WdZ5KBwe3MkfLZgnCpML3oV-QvAMdHL7xEF4gCY_zadWGwKfDu93t7bB3xGZEAwQm5jXmn7rK_hy49i6PVbCkVyUvrnY/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pex pipe and Styrofoam insulation" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m774OYLWJidyhemAhcbNxir1G0zr7vb_rmRE_gzW5GGV766WdZ5KBwe3MkfLZgnCpML3oV-QvAMdHL7xEF4gCY_zadWGwKfDu93t7bB3xGZEAwQm5jXmn7rK_hy49i6PVbCkVyUvrnY/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" title="insulting and plumbing a school bus" width="194" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Install the Plumbing</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The above picture is the only picture I took while Jeff was plumbing the bus. He used </span><span style="font-size: large;">Pex</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Pipe to plumb the bus. The plumbing for the shower, toilet, bathroom sink, washer, and kitchen sink have all been finished. He will be installing the black and grey tanks soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part 2 of How Does A School Bus Become A Home took Jeff and family several weeks to finish. Jeff had several other things he was working on during this part of the build and I had to be away from home because Katie needed to have surgery on her hip. Now that things are back to normal, I should be ready to post Part 3 soon. Part 3 in this series will explain how Jeff put up the walls, installed the shower, finished the bathroom, put in the breaker box and more. If you don't want to miss a blog post you can subscribe by entering your email in the box to the right. As always, if you have a question or comment just leave them and Jeff will answer you. </span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-25466343695218578412015-07-18T21:55:00.000-04:002015-09-28T00:46:44.509-04:00How a School Bus Becomes A Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYJScP73p-jXIe6fxaobIlVq0BuHTLxlEJkgwBKmnLhi4-yku6FXpDb7NbnGnTCk_IWFl9OAU515NHrMUkeBvu3FAOx8kC9D_EzFid7CTR34mNflriXPfgChPp3LEj-cSL-cF_Ni1_AQ/s1600/How+Does+A%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0+School+Bus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYJScP73p-jXIe6fxaobIlVq0BuHTLxlEJkgwBKmnLhi4-yku6FXpDb7NbnGnTCk_IWFl9OAU515NHrMUkeBvu3FAOx8kC9D_EzFid7CTR34mNflriXPfgChPp3LEj-cSL-cF_Ni1_AQ/s320/How+Does+A%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0%25C2%25A0+School+Bus.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How Does A School Bus Become A Home? Part 1</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This bus (the one in the pic above) will be the second bus that Jeff has converted into a home for our family.<span style="background-color: red;"> </span></span><a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2009/11/take-tour-of-discovering-us-bus.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;">Bus #1</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> was our home from August 2009 until 2011. Because we have a daughter that has several special needs and a daughter that is a Type 1 diabetic, we decided to keep our stick and brick house but live full time in our bus. In 2011 when one of our children was having some major problems, we decided it was best to return to our stick and brick house. Now that everyone is doing a lot better, we have decided to build another bus. (Well, Jeff is building another bus.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, How Does A School Bus Become A Home?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1.You first have to take out all the seats.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkyYXO1XZYrKNzzzM3gUVpjGQxC80phczVs7jDP489PH1boU7NIdUbO3xduyUm_pJ7Ij_aUVH-WszDKq6d8lcQ2xVEKSM47IuwXxnPxyZdBGCKVTV-5Cb9eJVqX1dX4XKGRJXsrB3otg/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="taking seats out of school bus" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkyYXO1XZYrKNzzzM3gUVpjGQxC80phczVs7jDP489PH1boU7NIdUbO3xduyUm_pJ7Ij_aUVH-WszDKq6d8lcQ2xVEKSM47IuwXxnPxyZdBGCKVTV-5Cb9eJVqX1dX4XKGRJXsrB3otg/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" title="Removing Bus Seats" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our new bus was a 72 passenger bus. Thanks to a great friend, Dan, who removed all the seats with the help of a few children. I think someone said it had around 24 seats. This was no easy task but Dan did an awesome job. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>2. Make sure you sand all the screws flush to the floor and remove the heater if you are not going to use it.</strong></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the seats were removed, Dan sanded all the screws so they would be even with the floor. Jeff removed the heater. When he removed the heater, he found out the bus was already home to a family...A FAMILY OF MICE! The mice must have been living in the bus for awhile because there was more than ONE home. Let's just say extended family had already moved in!!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>3. Clean the inside and outside of the bus.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ub76qdpeFtMayUfNoKSP0qAV-iJdYZKzIcG2Tp8L7KP0VGcTITguVqSkMqlW5X3r7uupgxfmkytHhBFSgcP3Ck_XhFGzZLasma3JmCh7yWYeQgcGL6sv77j-MZDqvpXsvn5m3TDBfNI/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img alt="cleaning inside and outside of a bus" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ub76qdpeFtMayUfNoKSP0qAV-iJdYZKzIcG2Tp8L7KP0VGcTITguVqSkMqlW5X3r7uupgxfmkytHhBFSgcP3Ck_XhFGzZLasma3JmCh7yWYeQgcGL6sv77j-MZDqvpXsvn5m3TDBfNI/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" title="Pressure washing a bus" width="213" /></strong></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Jeff evicted the mice and demolished their homes, he pressure washed the inside and outside of the bus. I am sure it will get cleaned many more times before we move in. I don't know about you, but I don't like the thoughts of crawling around on the floor and touching stuff where mice have used the bathroom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>4. Design a layout for your new home.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While Jeff was busy inside the bus, I was busy drawing up the plans for our new home away from home. There are several people who have made Skoolies (The name for a school bus turned into an RV.) and have a wonderful layout. Check out </span><a href="http://shalommama.com/bus-sweet-bus" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Shalom Mama</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.hankboughtabus.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Hank bought a bus</span></a><span id="goog_922838657" style="color: red; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, my challenge was how to sleep 9 people on the bus, have a full bathroom, washer/dryer, table, and seating for everyone while Jeff is driving. Oh, and let's not forget about storage!! I felt like I should have consulted the previous tenants because they made excellent use of space and I shudder to think about how many were living together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>5. Put down sub floor and paint the ceiling.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When Jeff laid down the sub floor, I got busy painting the ceiling and top part of the walls. We used white paint that was for exterior metal. Jeff purchased it at Lowe's for around $25.00 a gallon. It took 2 coats except for a problem area which I might discuss later in another post.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUet4yxMjjZmT6CeaGve02xpBz0mAMU5X1hrV5zM-mwl0NggEjhaHtllg_4UHGWsI1AtLJpBc5kKk-DZQfBp-Z8HcBAZZ36EuT8b5_e_o1A-RG8wOk3QWMi3tzh82I3dR0ztz25s0B9lA/s1600/subfloor+is+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="flooring a school bus" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUet4yxMjjZmT6CeaGve02xpBz0mAMU5X1hrV5zM-mwl0NggEjhaHtllg_4UHGWsI1AtLJpBc5kKk-DZQfBp-Z8HcBAZZ36EuT8b5_e_o1A-RG8wOk3QWMi3tzh82I3dR0ztz25s0B9lA/s320/subfloor+is+down.JPG" title="subfloor on bus is down" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>6. Place flooring and tape off design plan on floor.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In our last bus, we had carpet. This time we choose linoleum that looked like hardwood because our children are messy! Also, Katie has several health issues that require an extreme amount of cleanup. If you notice, Jeff didn't put the flooring all the way up next to the walls and in the very back. These areas will be covered up with beds and cabinets. Doing this saved us $150.00! After Jeff and Jacob put down the flooring, I was finally ready to tape-off my plans onto the floor. This is when the bus starts to look more like a HOME.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlWNC0GE3NR2whyBDoLn28zcv2PSkx6UgU6IUr_YpHtfJVbzbieRLD1cc62KtW4Y7TlFm2SsFigpfXyJVy1e7qzxXNt7ulElXcYmxO9Tv3_6vRboHbJ8QMCl7A2BsASuPRs1AnWhvX4U/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plans of floor of bus" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlWNC0GE3NR2whyBDoLn28zcv2PSkx6UgU6IUr_YpHtfJVbzbieRLD1cc62KtW4Y7TlFm2SsFigpfXyJVy1e7qzxXNt7ulElXcYmxO9Tv3_6vRboHbJ8QMCl7A2BsASuPRs1AnWhvX4U/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" title="flooring is down" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next week, I will post Part 2 in How Does a School Bus Becomes A Home. Please remember that I am not a contractor and this blog is not going to give you the exact details in each step above. If Jeff were the writer, then I am sure he would be more precise with technical terms, measurements, and how-to-tips. However, since I am the one who likes to blog, you get the short version. If you have any questions or you are thinking about turning a bus into a home/home away from home and just want to bounce ideas off another person please comment below and Jeff will be happy to help. He is amazing if I say so myself!!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-53743152204585464192015-07-10T23:30:00.000-04:002015-07-11T00:42:14.973-04:00Why Am I Still Surprised When God Provides?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever had a desire for something and then out of no where what you were waiting for just came available? Has God ever called you to step out on faith and then provided everything you needed to accomplish His plan? This has happened in our life on more than one occasion. This is exactly why we adopted children. We had the desire for another child, and another, AND ANOTHER. To our surprise God fulfilled the last "AND ANOTHER" with 4 children at one time. We were overwhelmed? Yes!! However, just like He had provided when our first adopted child arrived unexpectedly, He provided when the last four arrived. Over the years we have witnessed His provisions many times when we have stepped out on faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So WHY was I surprised today when Jeff came home with a truck AND trailer full of items for our </span><a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2015/07/here-we-go-again.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">bus</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> ? He met a man who was willing for us to have these items at a very low cost and all Jeff had to do was take them out of an old motor home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why am I still surprised when God provides, even when I have witnessed His provisions before?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After thinking about why I was surprised, I have figured out that I am surprised because... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">#1. I still lack FAITH.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I lack the faith that moves mountains. I lack the faith that does not waiver in the mists of the waiting on God to provide. My thoughts go to 'Am I sure this is what we should be doing?' or 'How are we going to get all of this done?' Are you like this? or Is this just me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">#2. I loose my focus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When I take my eyes off the God who created the mountains and look at our situation, my focus is on what is in front of me not on WHO can provide. Then I get wrapped up in all that is going on around me and loose my focus. Do you do this? or Is this just me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">#3. I don't wait with excitement.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I get impatient just like a child waiting for the straight-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies to cool. What I should do is think about how good the cookies are going to taste WHEN they don't burn my tongue. When I am waiting, I should look forward to how God is going to provide and work out our circumstances; so that, He is glorified. I should get excited not impatient. Do you get excited while you are waiting? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Almost 10 years ago, I had faith that could move mountains. I prayed believing that God was going to give us more children. My focus stayed on Him and I looked forward to holding my soon-to-be children with excitement. Today, I have decided to renew that same faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> While we wait to see what God has in store for us and our bus, I am going to pray believing that He will work out all the details. I am going to keep my focus on Him and look forward to the future in our bus with excitement. Everyday I am going to thank God in advance for all His provisions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a list of what God provided in the truck and trailer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*one AC rooftop unit</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*one RV propane oven with stove top</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*one refrigerator</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*a fresh water tank</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*a black tank</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*the hardware for a 14 foot long awning</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*rooftop scoop with vent</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*power cord </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*converter</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*RV door</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*3 doors for under compartment storage</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*ladder </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AND the man told Jeff to come back next week and pay him the $200.00 because Jeff wasn't sure if there was anything else he needed. The AC unit by itself would have cost us $200.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Thank You God for all you have provided and will provide during the next several months!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are interested in how God is putting together a bus that will be converted into a skoolie,(The name for a school bus that has been converted into a RV.) subscribe to our blog or just keep checking back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WE ARE EXCITED, FOCUSED, AND FAITHFUL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-55609769582684647842015-07-05T23:00:00.000-04:002015-09-28T00:47:55.243-04:00Here We Go Again!Do any of you remember the song<em><span style="color: red;"> </span></em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA7fnOjnjzE" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: red;">Here I Go Again</span></em></a> by Whitesnake? If not click on the title and the song with lyrics will come up.<br />
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As I was thinking about how to write this blog post this song popped into my mind. I just started to smile as the lyrics rushed back to my memory from years ago. As I was singing it (Be thankful that you didn't have to endure it because I was really having fun and your ears would have NEEDED the ear buds.), I realized how relevant it was to this post. <br />
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So without saying anymore:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkBo6KeUmBtHXoPMU4fwM8Fl4C4AXrmuHzGMZOUSEZ9iLdvT1bCMR0g8B72OxcQR3O3PheS10hQ_h3QIVI4BCw4C8A19MCjdHRbemNQbytg3mydy9Dwe1CwJmX00VFLJ3X4dYoJ-ooww/s1600/Our+new+bus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="skoolie" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkBo6KeUmBtHXoPMU4fwM8Fl4C4AXrmuHzGMZOUSEZ9iLdvT1bCMR0g8B72OxcQR3O3PheS10hQ_h3QIVI4BCw4C8A19MCjdHRbemNQbytg3mydy9Dwe1CwJmX00VFLJ3X4dYoJ-ooww/s320/Our+new+bus.JPG" title="School bus now RV soon" width="320" /></a></div>
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HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!</div>
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No, we don't know where we are going, But we sure know where we've been. We are not hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday but on the promises that God has made for our family. Promises to protect us, and guide us as we follow wherever He leads. </div>
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We have made up our minds, we ain't wasting no more time. Tho' we keep searching for answers, we know who holds them. Oh Lord, we pray You give us strength to carry on, 'Cos we know what it means to walk alone and we don't want to take a step without You.<br />
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An' here we go again NOT on our own. Goin' down the road where God leads. Thankful that we are not walking alone! An' we've made up our minds, we ain't wasting no more time. There are hearts in need of rescue waiting on God's forgiveness and love.</div>
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An' we're gonna hold on for the rest of our days, 'Cos we know what it means to walk alone and we'd prefer to walk a steady walk with Jesus. So, here we go again, Here We Go Again,</div>
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HERE WE GO AGAIN,</div>
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HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-36524555829762430032015-06-01T23:30:00.000-04:002015-06-17T22:26:24.339-04:00Joshua Has Accepted Christ Today, we are praising the Lord. During February, our son, Joshua made a personal decision to accept Jesus as his Savior after talking to his friend Wesley. So, why are we praising today instead of 4 months ago? Well, we just found about this wonderful news today. <br />
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At first when I heard the news, I was a bit skeptical and disappointed. Disappointed because I wanted to be there to witness this life changing moment, to encourage Joshua, answer his questions and hear his sweet prayer to Jesus. Skeptical because of my experience as a child . I never want our children to think they have accepted Jesus as their Savior when they really have not. I want our children to realize it is more than asking Jesus to be their Savior to escape hell or because someone else made a profession of faith. It is more than just believing in Him. I want our children to realize that accepting Jesus is all about needing a Savior.<br />
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Therefore, I decided it was best to ask Joshua a few questions to make sure he knew what he had done and why. When I talked with him, I was very cautious that I didn't discourage him. I asked him to explain what he had done and why. He knew exactly what he had done, the correct reason for asking Jesus to be his Savior, and said that he needed and asked forgiveness of his sins. In his room all alone with Jesus, he asked Jesus to be his Savior. Joshua said that he needed Jesus everyday because he was a sinner and needed God's forgiveness for the sin he has committed. Joshua said, " I also need Jesus to help me not to sin and forgive me for all the sins I am going to do." This Mommy's heart was overjoyed and yes, I cried! Joshua and I hugged for the longest time while I told him how proud I was of him for knowing what he needed and not waiting on even me to be there with him.<br />
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I realize that God is the only one that knows our child's heart but I can tell you that we can see evidence of a changed life. Last year and in January of this year, Joshua was grounded more days than days he was ungrounded. Since February, he has only had a few days each month that he has had a loss of privilege. (We saw all of this before we found out Joshua had made a personal decision to follow Christ. Jeff and I even made the comment that something really has changed in Joshua's life.) Joshua is reading his Bible, writing verses in his journal, and having spiritual conversations with us. He is telling others about Jesus, obeying us more, and thinking of others before himself. This has to be a Jesus thing because I know Joshua could not make these changes apart from God so quickly.<br />
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After talking to Joshua, I am grateful that I didn't know about his decision to follow Christ sooner. We saw evidence that something was different with Joshua before we heard the good news. Joshua<br />
was able to grow some in his relationship with Christ before he had us watching for proof. ( Maybe God knew I would doubt and thus didn't let me be a participant in the beginning. Maybe He knew I would get in the way. OUCH! That stings deep! If I truthfully look at myself, I would agree. (Deep breath in) Thank you, Jesus for giving Wesley the courage to be bold and speak to Joshua about how to accept you and for keeping my skeptical butt out of your way. Forgive me, God when I have gotten in your way and thank you for not letting it happen this time.)<br />
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My disappointment has turned into joy because I can see that Joshua is sincere about following Christ. We are praising God today because we are proud of our son, and thankful for what He is doing in Joshua's life and in our family.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-69381658229298448402015-05-29T23:23:00.000-04:002015-06-08T23:26:58.052-04:00What Happens If...Tonight during dinner, Hannah looked at me in all seriousness and said, "Mommy, what happens if you have a child and you do not like it?" <br />
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After I got control of my laughter and wiped the tears from my face, I said, "Well, you better figure out what that child is doing that you do not like and correct the child's behavior. " <br />
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Hannah replied, "Why, can't you just give them to DCS? " <br />
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I explained that if you give one child up they are probably not going to let you keep the children that you do like. She smiled and said, "I am glad you like me!" <br />
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Again, once I stopped laughing, I assured her that I liked and LOVED her very much. I asked her, why she was asking me this question and she said that she was just curious. She just needed to know in case it happened to her.<br />
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I am amazed at the things that goes through Hannah's brain! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAVVvuipe6xmmmUDt77RJXQZMqqckS_kBsYbn93VXxviNOG3lgLwq3xxYDmmwJ57pep0rqTJfc9lHyYTUc3IF8cdUpRRnli1MwvxAloOnF0Xwo3xpo4e8b0nRLpGsTIg7v1emQfouTQw/s1600/Hannah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="child you do not like" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAVVvuipe6xmmmUDt77RJXQZMqqckS_kBsYbn93VXxviNOG3lgLwq3xxYDmmwJ57pep0rqTJfc9lHyYTUc3IF8cdUpRRnli1MwvxAloOnF0Xwo3xpo4e8b0nRLpGsTIg7v1emQfouTQw/s320/Hannah.JPG" title="Dinner Conversations" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-19293652652981568482015-05-26T19:51:00.000-04:002015-06-01T09:41:31.483-04:00Katie Is Eating AgainDuring 2012, Katie went from eating pureed foods to a G-Tube then a G-J Tube. In 2013, her health had improved enough to go back to a G-Tube but she was still having a lot of Dysmotility issues. Her doctor had the idea to give her a Diverted Loop Ileostomy, so that, her large intestine could heal. <br />
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Hopefully, as she gets older and her colon stretches out her Dysmotility will improve. If this happens, she could have the Ileostomy reversed. She received her Ileostomy during 2013. Since then, her Dysmotility issues have improved greatly. From 2013 until this past December, she was only able to take 95mls of her Tolerex formula per hour via a feeding pump. She had to be on her feeding pump for 18 hours every day.<br />
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In December 2014, we slowly started increasing her formula by 10 mls every 10-14 days and decreasing the time she was on her pump. When she was able to take 235mls every hour, for at least 2 weeks, we had the go ahead from her doctor to start baby food.<br />
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So without further ado....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUSqb6ICV1Xs2F2OjvgRbzbGx7NSC-FCs0qns-mgfaHeNMZDsO67xsJM-Y1de1HFGmVEj1cnrbM-PjfIxplOkj8Ll1tt4WBeXFbAC2hg9gx-RxThM9fM-44TXFxhBleiU4KIJzMYbMQQ/s1600/Katie%2527s+first+bite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Bite" border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUSqb6ICV1Xs2F2OjvgRbzbGx7NSC-FCs0qns-mgfaHeNMZDsO67xsJM-Y1de1HFGmVEj1cnrbM-PjfIxplOkj8Ll1tt4WBeXFbAC2hg9gx-RxThM9fM-44TXFxhBleiU4KIJzMYbMQQ/s320/Katie%2527s+first+bite.JPG" title="Katie is eating again" width="320" /></a></div>
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KATIE IS EATING AGAIN!!</div>
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She had a choice between carrots or squash and she chose carrots. Look at her go, she is even feeding herself! </div>
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Did she like the carrots? You decide....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlIzQtbRFGh7fzKAu3k9xw3qYZq_9PWoXHnvQtpna0ky_GI9zdDTvzypzLlhg0hP8iIXp8RIj1EUOpQW9bZyIW3sEm7FcJBMmqP_Rwe_kdUoZmAbaIQREjbvO5So5mcGAxeCBShm6c9s/s1600/Enjoying+carrots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="eating carrots" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlIzQtbRFGh7fzKAu3k9xw3qYZq_9PWoXHnvQtpna0ky_GI9zdDTvzypzLlhg0hP8iIXp8RIj1EUOpQW9bZyIW3sEm7FcJBMmqP_Rwe_kdUoZmAbaIQREjbvO5So5mcGAxeCBShm6c9s/s320/Enjoying+carrots.JPG" title="Eating while on Feeding Tube" width="242" /></a></div>
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Yes, I think she did!!</div>
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Now she is only on her pump 7.5 hours a day.</div>
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I don't think there is anything left to say; her smile tells it all. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-58212759527311485632015-05-24T23:00:00.000-04:002015-05-24T23:00:06.016-04:00Have You Ever...Have you ever had a time in your life where every thing you were hoping for was over in less than 24 hours? You know that moment when everything you are working towards, all your goals, all your plans, and all your dreams, that you thought were in the near future, suddenly came to an abrupt end. It is like you are traveling down this beautiful road and in the distance you see the ocean come into view. You start crossing the bridge to get to the ocean and suddenly the bridge is out and YEP you drive your car smack-dab into the water with a big splash! Well, that is how our family has felt this month. We crashed!! <br />
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We had been working on a goal to have a small family farm and orchard. Our goal was to provide our own beef, fruits, vegetables, milk, and eggs and also sell these things to others. What we didn't realize is that OUR end goal and the things we envisioned were not where God was ultimately leading us. I truthfully believe He was giving us our hearts desire until we were ready to follow Him down the road that was ahead. He had things to teach us, our children needed to grow in many ways, and Jeff and I needed to reconnect with each other and God himself. These last few years, Jeff and I have worked together like never before. We have encouraged each other, helped each other solve problems, and even frustrated each other beyond words. (Well sometimes, I probably used very loud not-so-nice words.) Because we have experienced all of this together, we have grown closer to each other and our faith is stronger. We survived the CRASH!<br />
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Have you ever been at a point in your life where you felt like you were in limbo? You know the moment when the music starts and two people are holding the stick but you are just not sure you are ready to bend backwards and plunge forward under the stick. You may fall flat on your butt! OR, you may make it all the way under and come out smiling with a feeling of great accomplishment. So you stand there..... thinking.... listening to the music... and deciding when to move your feet. Well, that is how our family has felt this month. We were in limbo! <br />
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We had been thinking about doing something a little different before the farm dream even ended. We had some old desires renewed. We just started praying and waiting on God to lead the way. It has been exciting to just walk through each door He has opened. We do not know where He is leading us but we do know that wherever He leads we will follow. <br />
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Have you ever realized what you have to do when you Limbo? Yes, you have to bend backwards and LOOK UP!! Well, that is what our family is doing this month. We are listening to the music, bending our backs and dancing the Limbo all-the-while LOOKING UP!! <br />
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One dream has ended but new ones are beginning. It is an exciting time at THE MILLERS. One thing I have said over and over this month is, "I know for sure that every time we have been at a crossroads in our life, God has always put us on a better road." We are excited to see what the future holds for our family as we get on the next road.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-49659094403384217222015-05-08T23:04:00.000-04:002015-05-08T23:04:02.135-04:00What's Your Number?Yesterday, Hannah came to me and asked, "Mommy, do I have a phone?" I thought this was a little strange because she knows she does not have a phone but I just played along and replied, "No, Hannah you do not have a phone." <br />
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Then she said, "Well, why is Daddy asking me what my number is?" She goes onto say, "When you ask someone 'What is your number?', it means you are asking for their phone number." After laughing a little, I said, "Daddy is asking you what your Blood Glucose number was when you last pricked your finger."<br />
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Hannah looked annoyed and said, "Well, why doesn't he just ask that!"<br />
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Life with Diabetes and Hannah is NEVER dull!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-77655842902726723032015-05-06T22:47:00.003-04:002015-05-06T22:47:43.898-04:00What Happened? Why?This past weekend Jeff and Joshua solved the mystery of <a href="http://discoveringus-themillers.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-great-chicken-escape.html" target="_blank">The Great Chicken Escape</a>, only for us to find out this morning that during the night 8 of our chickens died, 11 are missing and 4 were alive.<br />
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After Joshua broke the news to us, he and Jeff went to the chicken coop to find out what happened. No chicken feathers were scattered around and no sign of a struggle. Therefore, we don't think it was<br />
an animal predator. Jeff inspected the chickens closely and found small holes in the 8 dead chickens. <br />
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Why? Why would someone come into our pasture, steal 11 chickens, kill 8 chickens, and leave us 4 chickens! Is this what really happened? We don't know but we can not find another solution. Who would do such a thing!! And Why? We have know idea. <br />
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Between December and February, we had 3 cows to die. At the time we thought it was from natural causes, but now this makes us wonder what really happened to them. If someone is determined to kill all of our animals then they only have 4 chickens, a cow and a horse to complete the job.<br />
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What do we do? As painful as it is, Jeff and I made the decision to give away the chickens and sell the cow and horse. Yes, there has been many tears in our house today including my own. You see the cow is mine. I bottle-fed her and she comes when I call her. Her name is Hershey. She recognizes my voice and will "moo" at me when I come outside. I have tried to hold back my emotions today, but as I sit here and type the dam has broken. The tears will not stop.<br />
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Tonight, Hershey and the horse, Carmel, are locked in the barn. Tomorrow, someone is coming to buy Hershey and take her to their farm. She will be used as a breeding/milk cow. She will "moo" at another mama and enjoy being petted by other children. Hershey may not ever remember her first family but we will never forget her. She changed this city girl in ways I never thought possible. What happened to me through this cow has been life-altering. Hopefully, we will find a home for Carmel very soon and we gave our chickens to someone in our family today.<br />
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Why is all of this happening? I don't know what happened or why. In the past, whenever our life has taken a turn down a different road it has always led to one that was better than the one that we left<br />
behind. As sad as today has been, The Miller's are excited to see what will happen next. Please pray for us as we figure out what road to get on.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-39186912762434793332015-05-03T21:44:00.000-04:002015-05-03T22:57:43.860-04:00Joshua's PancakesI was going through the draft folder on this blog and found the post below. I am so thankful that I took the time to write down my feelings and thoughts. Now, I can look back and realize how overwhelmed I felt but also see how far we have come as a family. Before I say anymore, here is the post.<br />
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5/2013<br />
A few weeks ago, Joshua had to undergo allergy testing. The scratch test didn't show anything but because he was having vomiting and sever reflux his doctor decided to have Joshua patch tested. The doctor said that in food allergies, sometime the reaction does not happen until several hours later. The results of the patch testing showed that Joshua is allergic to tomatoes, turkey and the one I feared the most. WHEAT!<br />
On the way home from the allergist today, I cried silently in the front seat while Joshua was sitting in the back seat asking me if he could have chicken nuggets, toast, sandwiches, cookies, and pancakes. I choked backed the tears long enough for a quiet, "No" answer. In his silence, I prayed as the tears fell. Lord Jesus, I don't think I can do this! Did you forget I have a child on a feeding tube with a ileostomy, a child with Type 1 Diabetes, a child with Auditory and Visual Processing Disorder, two children who still after four years struggle with issues relating to being in foster care, one child who is taking college classes, and I am homeschooling all of them.<br />
As I poured my heart out through prayer, I remembered once again all that we have been through since 2011. God did not forget about us then and He was not forgetting about us now. He created all of our children with their strengths and their weaknesses for their good. No, I can't do this! But I know a God that has overcome more than allergies. Joshua will have pancakes and more as learn about a Gluten Free diet. <br />
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Today (5/3/2015), Joshua does not eat tomato, turkey or GLUTEN! I adapt our meals for him and he is feeling much better. He has gained over 20 lbs and is growing taller. The best thing out of this is that Joshua realized that I would do whatever I had to do for him in a very tangible way. He eats chicken nuggets, toast, sandwiches, cookies and yes, PANCAKES! He tells all of us that they are delicious. I love you, Joshua!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-44434273839566149082015-05-02T22:50:00.001-04:002015-05-27T10:50:21.682-04:00The Great Chicken EscapeThis week on two occasions, I have woke up to the sound of Hannah yelling, " Mommy, the chickens are out!" I wanted to yell back, " I DO NOT CARE!" However, I calmly responded, "Go tell your brother."<br />
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Joshua loves to feed, water, and chase chickens. I know this because for the last week, I have seen him flapping his arms, running back and forth around the coop and sharing the chicken feed with the cow while on the way to the chicken pen. (Side note- he shares the feed with the cow so the cow will not chase HIM around the chicken pen.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqUx7TY9vEDPn6qqg8pwB5SUBLhbeEXnlrzt6IZaiLst0I1xp-m8lCDf1KN2nx_oiV0oVMb6D2np1U3T3tqZ5FdYZQLhaeKTg4yIcT_uecklW_VrBDX-lQ_IZTI8UASEjNnpMQIEThkk/s1600/DSC_0305+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chickens getting out" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqUx7TY9vEDPn6qqg8pwB5SUBLhbeEXnlrzt6IZaiLst0I1xp-m8lCDf1KN2nx_oiV0oVMb6D2np1U3T3tqZ5FdYZQLhaeKTg4yIcT_uecklW_VrBDX-lQ_IZTI8UASEjNnpMQIEThkk/s1600/DSC_0305+(2).JPG" title="The Great Chicken Escape" width="320" /></a></div>
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When Jeff got up, Joshua told him that the chickens were out again. Jeff and Joshua have already clipped the chicken's wings but they keep getting out. Jeff replied, "I think I am going to band their legs and put weights on them. This way they can not get off the ground." (He was kidding!)<br />
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Melissa spoke up and said, "Yeah, then the chickens would be under Coop Arrest! You know like they do to criminals who get House Arrest." Everyone broke into laughter. <br />
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On the serious side, today was the day to put an end to the great chicken escape. Joshua and Jeff found several holes around the pen that they filled with extra dirt. They clipped the chicken's wings again. After they were finished, Joshua glanced up into the woods and guess what he saw. Yes, another chicken had escaped! Joshua set out to chase and apprehend the chicken as Jeff finished around the coop.<br />
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All of a sudden, Jeff saw Joshua running down the hill out of the woods carrying the chicken and yelling. When Joshua got to the coop he threw the chicken in and was noticeably shaking. As Joshua was trying to catch his breath, Jeff asked him what was wrong. Joshua said, " I saw a snake and almost stepped on it!" Jeff said, "What color was it? What did it look like?" Joshua replied, " I don't know! I heard it hiss, saw his tongue and ran without looking back! Oh, and I am not going back into the woods to catch a chicken!" Jeff told Joshua that hopefully the problem was solved by filling in the holes around the pen and clipping the wings.<br />
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Hallelujah! The great chicken escape is over and Joshua didn't get a snake bite!<br />
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As for me, I am looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow morning because Hannah will not be waking me up announcing the chickens are out!<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-4701856421184286342015-05-01T21:47:00.003-04:002015-05-01T21:54:48.669-04:00A Lesson LearnedIf you have ever spent anytime at our house, you would know it is far from boring. Today was no different! <br />
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As I was making dinner, Jacob asked Melissa, "Would you eat a bite of Crisco? " Melissa's reply was how much will you pay me? Then Melissa said, " How about $15.00?" As she and Jacob bickered on a price, I continued to cook dinner without saying a word Next, Jacob retrieved a spoon from the drawer, stuck it into the solid Crisco and handed about a tablespoon of lard to her. "Fifty cents is my final offer.", he said. </div>
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Melissa quickly jerked the spoon that held the Crisco and plopped it in her mouth. Jacob gave her some water and down the hatch went the big blog of oil that was melting on her tongue! "That's fifty cents.", said Melissa.</div>
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As Jacob left the room to get Melissa's money, she said that the experience was not really that bad.<br />
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Well, three hours later when Melissa came out of the bathroom holding her stomach, I said, "I wonder if the Crisco experience is worth fifty cents now." She said, " Believe me I have learned my lesson! I will not do that again!" </div>
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Sometimes, it is a good thing for this mama to just keep her spoon in the pan and her mouth shut. I think several children learned a lesson without me saying a word. Don't eat the Crisco!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-78612074299614942262015-04-30T13:56:00.000-04:002015-04-30T13:58:29.920-04:00Question of the Day?Due to a conversation I had last night with someone, we asked the children, "Would you like to go back to traveling full time?" I should have known the answer to this question before asking. Every since we have returned to our stick and brick house, the comment is made occasionally about when are we going back on the road. Or - "Would we ever get a bus again?" Our children like being on the road. (Well, all of them except Sierra who said it was pure torture and because of it has blocked out events and periods of time. Really! She really has! I can ask her if she remembers certain events or activities and she CAN NOT.) Any way, back to the question.<br />
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The answer was a resounding, "YES". Then came the question, how could we travel again with Katie? Her disabilities and the problems of one of our other children is the reason we returned home in 2011. The other child's issues are better than before but Katie has dealt with a lot during 2012-2014. However, just recently we changed her pediatrician and she is making some progress.<br />
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So, "Could we go back on the road?" Well, we have learned throughout our life, that nothing is impossible with God. Will we return? Or better yet, WHEN, will we return to a life living on the road? That question still remains unanswered but I can assure you that the topic is floating around the house like the sweet smell of my Triple Chocolate Cake. Missy Miller<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>~~Sierra~~http://www.blogger.com/profile/18282727581984506272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-20410107734392615572014-02-17T00:02:00.001-05:002014-02-17T00:05:38.661-05:00Reading, Remembering, and RejoicingLately, I have been thinking about blogging again. I pulled up our blog to write a quick post but found myself sitting there reading back over the posts about our life. Some of these posts made me smile remembering the people we met, places we went, and the amazing privileges God gave us to share what He had done in our life and what He can do in the lives of others. Some posts made me sad realizing how little my children were, and wondering where the last two years have gone. When I read the last two posts during February 2012, my eyes filled with tears but my heart leaped for joy rejoicing that the past two years, have flown by! Praise The Lord!<br />
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During November of 2011 until the end of 2013, we experienced two gut wrenching just trying to survive years. During January of this year, we finally felt like we were living not just surviving. The storms that captivated our life were over. During the storms, we clung to our Lord and Savior. Some days with a tight grip and some days with a grip that felt like we were going to fall. We didn't fall!! God held onto us! He gave us strength for each day. Our faith has increased and we learned the meaning of "when I am weak, I am strong". God's grace was and IS sufficient for us. It is because of His Grace that we are still one family all living in the same house. Maybe one day, I will have the courage to blog about those dark stormy days but for now just know that God is powerful, He moves mountains, and He is still in the miracle working business. I know because our family is a testimony to His Grace.<br />
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Maybe I will get back to blogging. It felt good reading back over our lives, remembering the adventures we had and rejoicing over all that God has done in our family. I started blogging because I wanted our children to have a journal of our lives seen through my point of view. I wanted my blog to share with them the places we discovered, the lessons we learned, and give them a book of sorts about our family, so that, they could look back read, remember and rejoice.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-90965450465665989072012-02-19T09:00:00.000-05:002012-02-21T11:19:48.117-05:00Small Clot in PICC Line Makes Me StrongerWhen Katie's nurse was connecting her to the TPN feelings today, she realized that her PICC line had a small clot in it. The nurse and I were shocked because Katie was only unhooked from her fluids for less than 5 minutes. As I stood next to Katie watching Mrs. Brenda slowly trying to break apart the clot with Heprin, the realization of how sick Katie is once again made me weak in the knees not to mention that I do not handle IV's and blood very well. I quickly made my way to the door as another nurse was coming in to help Mrs. Brenda. I sat down in the atrium near Katie's room. I started praying and then realized that I just needed to listen. I sat there quiet, tears falling and thinking I feel so alone; I feel that I can't handle all of this. I am not sleeping well; I miss my husband and my children. Then I remembered a lesson that I learned years ago, "The life of a person who has a relationship with Christ is not led by feeling but by FAITH." My faith is in a God that holds the whole world in His hands. He loves Katie more than I do and ,no matter what happens, He is always with me. I am not alone! I do not have to handle all of this! I can cast all my cares on Him. He knows about all of my circumstances and He is allowing them to fulfill His purpose for my good. Do I trust Him? Yes, I trust Him. Suddenly, I felt like a weight had been lifted. As the tears slowed, I thanked God for bringing Katie into our lives, for having friendly caring nurses, and for the doctors who were managing her treatment. I thanked Him for loving me and forgiving me daily.<br />
When I got back to the room, the line still had a clot. I was told that they would contact the doctor and order some stronger Heprin. I told the nurse that I was just going to sit near Katie and pray for it to unclot. Within minutes, the clot was dissolved! Mrs. Brenda and I said at the same time, "Thank you Jesus!" Mrs. Brenda sighed and I said this was just a lesson for me. God is just in the process of making me stronger. I needed this lesson. I do not know what Katie's future holds but I know Who holds her future!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-27806011019054777392012-02-18T00:29:00.001-05:002012-02-18T00:32:33.593-05:00Digestive System Slow but Forgiveness is QuickTonight, I find myself sitting in the hospital by the bed of our sweet Katie. Katie was admitted to the children's hospital on Sunday for a Urinary Track Infection which was caused from severe chronic constipation. She had a high fever and a distended belly. After 2 days, her fever got better but her belly remained the same. Twenty-four hours later, she spiked another fever. After multiple tests and x-rays, the doctors have decided that her digestive system is not working correctly. In order for her digestive system to heal and hopefully repair itself, Katie had to have a PICC line, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. A PICC line is a catheter that goes in a large vein under her arm and ends at the main artery leading to her heart. It will allow Katie to receive nutrients through her vein. The doctors will also be able to take blood out of this line, so that, she will not have to be stuck every morning. <br />
In addition to the PICC line, Katie had to have a NG Tube put in her nose that leads to her stomach. This tube will suction out any stomach gases and fluids, so they do not enter the small intestines. <br />
Hopefully, by Monday the inflammation in her digestion track will have gone down enough for the doctor to do an Upper GI and Lower GI Scope. <br />
Today, when Katie had these procedures done, she was given Versaid but she was awake. She knew the nurse was holding her down and she didn't like it. However, before Mrs. Brenda left the room, Katie reached for her hand and smiled. This simple act reminded me of the forgiveness of Christ. He does not like our sin but He loves us and is ready to forgive.<br />
Katie may not ever be able to read, be able to have children, or be able to eat solid food by mouth but she can forgive and show love just like Christ. She is a blessing in my life and has a lot to teach me. I love you my sweet girl.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-87944650814845565822012-01-26T21:03:00.000-05:002012-01-26T21:03:30.922-05:00Advice From Your Mama"Sierra, just remember the sins you commit in your youth might reappear in your dreams when you are older. This might not be a good thing if you are married and talk in your sleep." <br />
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Enough said... Love, Mama<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-79213286253082324062012-01-25T21:17:00.000-05:002012-01-25T21:17:58.392-05:00Joshua and Hannah's DayLast night, Joshua and I were discussing something that he had done. After a few minutes, I said, "Joshua, why are you starting to cry?"<br />
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Choking back the tears he said, "Because I think, by the look on your face, you think I am lying."<br />
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Wow! I really need to watch what my face is saying!! <br />
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He was surprised when I told him that I knew he was being honest. Not only was he being honest but he spoke from his little heart. Way to go!!!<br />
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Today, while I was at an appointment with Katie, Sierra was babysitting Hannah. <br />
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Hannah decides to RUNAWAY. She runs and sits down in the neighbors yard two houses down from ours. <br />
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All Sierra wanted to do was check Hannah's blood sugar.<br />
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Tonight, when I was putting Hannah to bed, I asked her why she wanted to runaway and she said," I just don't like Diabetes. I am tired of getting my finger stuck and I WANT SOME CARBS!! Mommy, I am just having a BAD Diabetes day. I will get over it." <br />
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Bless her heart. All I could do is give her a hug and tell her that she is braver than me. Then, I gently reminded her that she could not run away from Diabetes and if in the future she wanted to runaway not only would I find her but I would bring the insulin pin. "Hannah, you have to check your blood sugar and take insulin if you do not -- you will die." <br />
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"Well, then I want have Diabetes anymore!" , was Hannah's reply.<br />
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Yes, I would agree -- It has been a bad Diabetes Day. Let's just say - SHE GOT SOME CARBS!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-66580049966180381872012-01-08T20:32:00.000-05:002012-01-08T20:32:55.228-05:00My Great Grandmother Knows About Suffering - by Sierra MillerSuffering is something usually felt by all. Everyone seems to deal with suffering in their own way. One person, I have seen suffer is my Great Grandmother. She has gone through many trials throughout her life. But, she has still remained strong and a faithful Christian through everything. She lived through the Great Depression during the 1930's. She has helped her daughter through two divorces, has dealt with the death of her parents and the death of the love of her life. Recently, she dealt with some loss of vision in her right eye and many effects of old age. For as long as I can remember, no matter what my Grandmother has been going through, she has been there for everyone.<br />
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One trial, I have personally seen her go through is the death of her son due to cancer. This year, she went through a whirlwind of emotions because of his death. Even when people were rude, hurtful and overbearing, I never saw her grow bitter towards them. Even with the emotional stress she was going through, she remained strong and was always there to listen and talk to everyone that came in her home. As I watched her deal with this hard time, I saw her inter strength come out. I saw how she handled pain and how she never tried to act miserable even when her heart was breaking. The months after her son's death were also painful. But she handled them with grace; she has been forgiving and has now made it through the trial. <br />
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My Grandmother has taught me many things. One of the things she has taught me is how to be strong. She has gone through so much but has never given up. She has inspired me to always keep moving forward, to cling to God and to always remember that whatever trials I am going through, I will come out braver and stronger. My Grandmother Skelton continues to inspire me. She is strong, independent and sometimes stubborn. She is the kind of woman I would love to become.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7468498892084560187.post-47942767521708650962011-10-31T23:07:00.000-04:002011-10-31T23:07:49.494-04:00Really?! I Didn't Know"Mommy, you know what?" <br />
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"No Hannah - what?"<br />
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"Right now, somewhere in Africa an elephant farted."<br />
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"Really, I didn't know."<br />
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It is stuff like this that keeps me smiling.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://discoveringusbus.com/feed/</div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.com0