Missing my little camper...

I certainly am not complaining. I feel incredibly blessed to have the house we have now. It is huge and gorgeous. I just didn't think I would miss our little camper. but I Do...

We packed up our household goods (well the movers did half and we did half!) the second week of June 2014. Said goodbye to our home of 6 months and said "hello" to our cute little camper. The camper we bought when the pop up camper was sold out from under us. (had to drive an hour and a half away. Told the guy we were coming....when we were 15 minutes away he calls to say he sold it...ummm thanks) But I think God knew I couldn't live in a pop up. I want to think I am an outdoorsy person. But I'm not. Not really. I like to sit in nature. I like to walk thru nature. But I like to sleep in beds in air conditioning. Anyway back to the camper.

This simple little camper was "home" to our family for a little over 3 months. We did have a few times in the middle where we stayed with family or used our TLE hotel nights (army code for 10 days of free hotel when you move). But all in all either Jordan alone (for a few weeks while I went home and then traveled with my family) or the whole crew called this little place home for 9 of those 12 weeks. A set of bunks in the back. Bathroom. Kitchen. And table/couch/master bedroom. Simple Small Somewhat cluttered at times But our little home.

We played outside. We swam in the lake. We watched the sun set. We cooked on the grill. We cooked in the microwave. We went for drives. We looked for animals. We fished. We kayaked. We built fires. We didn't have a washer and dryer. We shared one tv (cheating I know but some days it was just too hot to be outside).

We would hear our kids talking or giggling before falling asleep.

We had family adventures. It was crowded in the camper so it forced us outside or out around town. We visited museums. Ate at new restaurants. And only bought what we could consume in a few days.

So even though we have a large 3 bedroom home now.....our kids want to share a small twin bed. And I LOVE that! I love how close they are and how much closer they became. They didn't know they were "bonding". They got annoyed sometimes with someone kicking someone in the back. Or someone not going to sleep. But then they would sing songs or chatter until we had to tell them to stop and go to sleep. It was just fun to them. Fun being outside. Fun using their imaginations. And fun just being together.

While I couldn't really do it forever. And at the end I don't think I could have taken one more night in the camper! Given the chance....I would do it again! And we probably will! Next PCS. Hopefully a slightly larger camper tho....

So if you are considering it....GO FOR IT! You will be amazed at how close you grow as a family and how many fun memories you make.