New Receptacle

We have had an extension cord running to the kids room for a heater for about a year. I've been tired off that stinking cord across the walkway! Also, there hasn't been a place to plug the vacuum in. Again, extension cord all over the little trailer. Not anymore! Thanks to my little helper Havi.

I didn't get pictures of the whole process but I think you get the point. I did use an actual RV receptacle. It set me back $10 because I couldn't find the one I removed from the wall. Here are some pictures.

Converter!...............

Converter!...........

Today (August 1st) we had no 12V power. The converter finally gave up! I knew it was on its last leg and it was only a matter of time. I was hoping to have paid off some debt before spending money on fixing anything, but that wasn't happening. All the buzzing and whining and squealing and constant noise from the cooling fan finally stopped... and so did the lights, refrigerator, most electrical outlets, and sadly, the converter is also on the circuit with the A/C and poor Bethany was in the hot, stuffy trailer until I came home. I had no idea what was happening while I was at work. Its just a converter though. Couldn't be that hard to fix....right? Right!

So, off I went looking for a 55 Amp converter. I went to State Trailer Supply here in Idaho Falls. The only one I could get, while on my lunch break, was actually slightly too big. It was meant to be a heavy duty "Plug-n-Play" type for upgrades. We just had to cut out the back of the cabinet. It slid right in...with some help...and some persuasion! Lights are back on and the trailer is now peaceful and cool once again.

I am amazed how much slack in the wire there is! Easy!

Just cut the back out so the new converter would fit and breathe.

Hook it up to 120V and turn it back on! All done.

Genesis 1:3

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Winter Is Coming (Part 2).........2015...........

Winter Is Coming (Part 2).............2015.................

Updates after the last two winters. We learned a lot! Winter time gets pretty cold, things freeze when they get cold. We did have a slight issue with a few things. So, let me show you what to look out for.

First, our "poop pipe" froze. This was easily remedied by wrapping the same "anti ice dam" cord around it that we used on the pipe from the galley. Thawed out in a couple hours with no more problems!

Pipes inside the trailer that run against the outside, un-insulated, wall froze at one point. 

This is the cabinet of drawers in the "bunkhouse" which is now our "Master Bedroom". Going to to need pipe foam and some insulation here. Plans are to remove the counter above it and make room for hanging space. Bad location for water pipes!

The kids room was our  room. We took out the queen bed and the under bed storage and the door and a wall. Rearranged and improved...but still a work in progress! The major improvement was covering the window and insulating the wall. Both ends of the trailer as well as the slide outs lack insulation.

We are framing in our windows with 1x2 lumber and will seal them with plastic this year. Last two winters have shown us this is necessary. We would have done this last winter but there were much more pressing issues like a frozen poop pipe and getting enough electrical power into the trailer! This year we have been able to add some insulation and other improvements so the windows will be a major help. Moisture and condensation are a problem. Hoping the plastic insulation helps. We can already tell the difference with the insulation on the end wall! 

That brings us to our next improvement. Last winter we had so much moisture on the walls in the big slide which ran down the side and back of the couch and caused some mold to grow....which also ruined a lot of large "floor books" that we stored in between the couch and wall. The problem wasn't so much that we had too much moisture (although it is an issue in such a small area) it was a serious lack of air flow in these tight spaces. We even got a little bit of ice build up and frost in the corners and on the wall. We have since removed the dinette benches and unfastened the couch from the floor. This allowed us to insulate the lower portion of the slide walls. Also, we are able to move the furniture so we can clean and keep air flow against the walls.

After cover the insulation up with hard board I took a few infrared photos to see the effectiveness. There is quite a difference. There is over a 20 degree difference between the insulated on non-insulated portions. There is almost 40 degrees of difference between the insulated portion and the single pane window! THAT is a BIG DEAL! Now we will be able to soak up some light and heat from the sun without too much of our heat leaking out!

wall without insulation on left. foam board on right.

Propane isn't expensive but it's annoying and an inconvenience to refill so often! We will be trying to use electric more this year cutting back our need for "propane runs".
We still have more to do to finish up before winter hits so "stay tuned" for more updates!

Psalm 127:1-2

Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Winter Is Coming.......2014........

Winter Is Coming.......2014........

Part of the point of our blog is to provide inspiration, encouragement and good stories....I also like to provide some useful and practical information. For others in similar situations, by choice or necessity, I'd like to save you some headaches by sharing our trials and errors. With the assurance that below freezing temperatures were close, we had to prepare. Obviously we had been through some cold weather already in Ohio, but this is different, and we no longer have to be mobile. One thing that HAD to be done is to get rid of that extremely irritating shaking and bouncing! I bought a set of four screw jacks and put them under the axles. I raised the wheels just off the ground and then readjusted the stabilizers at each corner. This works amazingly. 

I purchased some pipe to plumb in the sanitary line. First, I coupled the galley tank, grey water tank and the black tank and then plumbed it straight to the sewer connection. A great "anti-ice" is the black wire used in gutters and eves to prevent ice dams. Cheap and easy and works well with the plastic. No freeze-ups yet. We also purchased a heated hose. This has actually been a very amazing device and well worth the money!

Since the trailer has a 30A/120V connection and we have a full 50A/240V available I made use of this. With winter coming and the possibility of needing to run additional space heaters and the fact that we are occasionally short of electrical power to run all the necessities I made some adjustments without converting the trailer to 50A. I built a temporary service box with a 30A receptacle and a 20A receptacle. This runs the trailer power plus the heated hose and the drain de-icer. Also, I ran another cord in the outside shower access to the inside of the trailer for a dedicated heating circuit. Even if we run out of propane we will be able to heat and cook with electricity! No freezing this winter if I have anything to say about it!

Although our trailer is equipped with an enclosed under belly for cold weather it's not going to be energy efficient long term. Most "residential RV's" require some sort of skirting. This helps cut down on heat loss and trailer movement due to the wind. It also creates somewhat of a storage "shed" underneath the trailer. Looking at our many options and the pros and cons we really ended up with a couple deciding factors. The park didn't want anything tacky (and rightly so) which rules out the plastic or canvas types. Also we are on a tight budget. A very tight budget. Turns out the cheapest way to skirt the trailer is with 2x3's and OSB! A coat of white paint and it looks great! Without putting thermometers under the trailer I can't say how significantly it has helped already but I can say it has helped. I can tell partly by the rate of propane consumption and by how little the trailer shakes in the wind!

Propane... This is our main heating source. We have the standard 2 30# tanks and then we purchased a regular grill type tank. This way we can always have a tank hooked up and make better use of our trips to the store for refills. Its also a very comforting backup because I know the small tank will heat and cook for at least two days!

**********EDITED TO ADD....AFTER WINTER OF 2014*********

We froze a couple times on extremely cold days. The poop pipe froze once. The fresh water pipes froze twice and I couldn't figure out where at first. For a couple days we only had water running from the "bathroom" sink which is right next the the fresh water inlet and is heated. Our next "Winter Update" post will talk more about this and what we've done since 2014 to keep our trailer from freezing!

Genesis 8:22

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Life Is A Never Ending Loop...............

…Life is a never ending loop
Your Yesterday was Today and your Today was Tomorrow
Your Tomorrow will become Today and Today will become Yesterday
The only thing that is constant is Change
Don’t be afraid to change
Get comfortable with change
Life is constantly changing
So keep changing!
Life is a never ending loop…
     ~Vincent Eke~

Broadway Ford......

Broadway Ford.......

Luke is now starting in on his 3rd month at Broadway Ford here in Idaho Falls. We are still all living in our travel trailer...with only another 14 weeks give or take before we get to meet our newest arrival. Luke is still working on his GET Business Solutions plans before his first official attempt at selling/starting, although it has been very hard (and a little frustrating) with how little time he has to invest in something that he wants to pursue. Life is kinda feeling like it does right before a big change....normal and "in a groove" (not to be confused with "in a rut"!...thats not what I mean). Im excited to see what God has for us next....even if it is just life as we know it currently.

Broadway Ford has been very surprisingly and pleasantly a great fit for Luke....so far! At Smith Honda they talked the talk but when it came down to it, they were NOT walking the walk. It got overwhelming feeling like the only way to advance is to become a back stabbing, sleazy, dishonest, car salesman. Obviously, Luke wanted no part of that. God very quickly and obviously closed doors...slammed them...right in front of our faces. It was a good thing while it lasted though, it gave Luke the inspiration he would not have had in a "blue collar" job. It gave him the ideas and motivation and even passion to pursue GET Business Solutions. So, the experience over all was a good one...but it was just time to move on...and very quickly. We weren't hoping to end up in another car sales job but that was just what happened. Luke had put in about 50-60 applications elsewhere and only a couple actually called him back but they didn't feel right. It is very obvious *sometimes* when God doesn't want something to happen. There is an uneasiness and restlessness....we pray for peace in situations and for any decision we are faced with and when its not there, that is a good indication that we are not to proceed further. Sometimes, its easier to "feel" than others. Thats where more prayer for discernment and wisdom come in...lots and lots of prayer!

So, Luke had a quick errand to run on Ephraim's birthday (July 2nd) and was only going to be gone for an hour or so and then would be back to celebrate. Well, as he was driving back he decided to "swing by" Broadway Ford just to see if they were hiring (they were about to be having a Grand Opening after completing their brand new building) and since he hadn't had any luck so far from anywhere else for going on just over a month he figured "why not?"! He walked in, asked if they were hiring, got interviewed on the spot, then got interviewed again by a higher up manager and then was talked to by someone else that would have a minor say in whether or not he would get a job. They all agreed that "he was the man they needed" BUT the actual hiring manager wouldn't be back till the following week. So, they told Luke that he was as good as hired but that they would have to get him "signed on" officially after the hiring manager was back. So, that was it! He started the following week! God's hand was there and it was in a very unexpected way.

Luke took 4 days getting certified (there are guys still not certified after months of being there). If you are not certified it means that you have to split your commission with another certified salesman. So, in Luke's mind it only makes sense to become certified as quickly as possible! Not only is he Ford certified but he also has been taking every available certification class that Ford offers. He is finished with or currently working on commercial sales, management and leadership training, finance certification and Ford's Sync Technology and a whole bunch of other certifications as well! Praying that his dedication and willingness not just to learn but excel are not taken lightly, for granted or taken advantage of, but rather used and appreciated and end up paying off.

Psalm 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! 

Our Much Needed Extended Weekend.......

Our much needed extended weekend.....

         Luke had an appointment about getting an office space on Thursday so we went to make sure we knew what building exactly he was going to be meeting in. We had some time to waste before his meeting and just happened to be around the corner from the mall so what to do to waste time at he mall with littles?? Ride on the Ice Cream Truck and Fun Bus of course! lol All 3 kids loved it...its been a while since they've gotten to ride anything like this and Daddy was feeling very generous with all those quarters burning a hole in his pocket! ;)

          Next up...the indoor playground. There are no pictures of Ephraim because he was too busy (and fast) playing with a new friend.

          Havilah fell in LOVE with these ride on stuffed animals! She wanted one SOOOO badly! I have to say, I agree with her....these things are awesome! The lady giving rides actually let Ephraim have a free ride and we will definitely be going back so all the kids can have a ride! One of the coolest things about these are the weight limit is close to 300lbs so I can ride on one with a couple kids and Luke can ride on one with another! I think it was only $5 for 15mins too so that will be a cute birthday present for all three kids for mid to end of July sometime!

       

         We relaxed and had some quiet family time on Friday and finished up the evening by going to the movie theatre (I had previously won free tickets...score!!). We went to Cinderella. Havilah is still too young to have any interest in watching movies BUT she did SO GREAT sitting through and actually paying attention about 90% of the time....the other 10% she was occupied by a granola bar! Jireh loved watching the "princesses dance and their sparkly dresses"! Ephraim isn't quite at the age where he can tell the difference between a "girl" movie and a "boy" movie so he was glued! Sadly we didn't get any pictures of the fun time we had that night...oh well, maybe next time! :)

         On Saturday we went on a day trip to Caribou National Forest. Its only about 1.5hrs South of us, 2hrs if you consider all the driving through the mountains or rather up the mountain we ended up doing! We went to several different campgrounds to hike the trails. Cherry Creek was nice because it has a paved path through dense trees and lots of flowers growing all along the path. You walk alongside a stream too so theres always a bridge to cross or water to splash in! Snail shells are everywhere and it became a game for all three to see who could find the shells!

One of Ephraim's favorite things to do....make a wish and blow the dandelions. 

So gorgeous walking through. I'm always amazed by Idaho's massive geological changes. You can be in a desert and then forest and then on a mountain or in a cave or flat farmland or rolling hills. My goodness...so much varying landscapes! I love it!

My best friend, my husband, my love! 

My most favorite Ephraim Paul!

Aren't those girls just the cutest things ever?? 

All my loves through the bridge railings. 

Ephraim and I did a little "off trailing" and he found a cool "L" shaped tree 

that he wanted his picture taken on! 

Me and my Havilah Joy! Yes, she is smiling through her binky.

                                                                                             Cool kid....always finding "treasures"

                                                                                              We love our wagon and haul it all over the place but sometimes Luke finds himself pulling it while its empty. But thats ok....wait 5mins and there will be a tired kid wanting a ride! 

If Havilah finds a bug...ant, spider, worm, beetle, fly, etc....she FREAKS OUT! lol Its actually hilarious listening to her. It takes a little coercing to get her to keep walking past it! 

This girl LOVES picking flowers! 

This hill is a lot steeper than it looks in the picture...Havilah couldn't walk up by herself at all! But they had to find the snail shells that were hiding out up there! 

Decided one flower wasn't enough...she needed an entire bouquet! 

Yes, we love each other....*shocker*

A snake Jireh came across...we haven't looked up what it might be yet. 

Cute-y Pie! 

Sisterly LOVE! They love each other so much and Jireh especially is always trying to help Havilah. She is a VERY good big sister! :)

Me and my Jireh Shalom!

Selfie!

Our attempts at a family picture....we always forget to bring our camera (which has a tripod!)...grrrr!

After leaving Cherry Creek Campground, we drove up to Scout Mountain and had some lunch.

Just a little scenery....that we enjoyed while eating our lunch! Absolutely breathtaking!

Havilah is now a flower picking addict as well....

THIS! This is where our next camping site will be! Huge, flat, secluded, close to the road "just in case" and a gorgeous view.

Her and that little tongue! 

 

More family picture attempts. 

More hiking....good thing our kids LOVE it!

Ephraim is obsessed with climbing. Really steep gravel hill and that was as far up as this Momma would let him because although he is great at going up he still needs practice coming down! 

Daddy, however went all the way up and picked flowers for us girls and took a rock from the top for EP. What a guy! :)

The flowers Luke picked for me.

The water was really cold but felt soooo good! 

       

Fun in the creek while Daddy and Havilah watched from dry ground. 

Havi was completely tired by the time we were walking back to the van to head home. We all were, but she was the only lucky one who got to be carried back! ;)

Isaiah 55:12
"For you shall go out in joy and be lead forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."