C (2:29)

Yeah, it is Funny, because it's like we get to ride at the tail end of summer and then they finally start to sleep in.

B (2:37)

How are we ever gonna wake up so early? I'm like, well, you did these last month.

C (2:42)

Yeah. You did this for half the summer. More than half.

B (2:45)

All your life. Yeah.

C (2:47)

They wake up whenever the sun's up. But then two weeks before school starts, they start sleeping till 10.

B (2:53)

Yeah. Yeah.

C (2:55)

You're in for a rude awakening.

B (2:57)

I told him at breakfast today, I was like, listen, I was like, hey, we gotta get moving. We got it. We. We gotta get to school. And it's first week of school, so it's extra trafficky. Like, we got it. We gotta leave early.

C (3:08)

Trafficky?

B (3:10)

It's a word.

C (3:11)

Yeah. Is it?

B (3:13)

Yeah, a lot of traffic. So I don't know what I was saying. Oh. And I said it's going to take about two weeks for your bodies to get addressed at two weeks. M. That's forever.

C (3:30)

Forever.

B (3:30)

Like, no, no, it won't be forever.

C (3:33)

But two weeks of blink in this house. All right, so we're going to take a little break for our sponsor today, which is Cozy Earth.

B (3:40)

Cozy Earth. Okay. So do you have. I know I do. Do you have one spot in your house that you just Is like your retreat spot? Like, you go to it and you can just sink in and just have that moment of, like, quiet, no one touch me, bother me, anything. I mean, I would normally say my bathtub, but since Cozy Earth has come into our life, it is definitely my bed. First week of school all started, kids, new school this week, and it was an overwhelming sense of emotional day. And I was like, literally got home and I plopped on my bed in my cozier sheets with.

C (4:24)

After getting all the kids to school. Yeah, Yeah. I remember going. I thought you left. And then I walked into the room and I flipped the light on and I was like, oh, crap.

B (4:33)

Yeah, I was with my, like, my bubble cuddle blanket. It's just this organic, hypoallergenic, comfortable, soft, silky, breathable, cooling blanket. And I just had to just be alone. I had to be alone. And I just needed to be in the solitude and quiet in the comfort of my, like, little comfortable retreat. And so I know that's for me. And so I think that everybody needs to find a place to call their retreat. And why not make it your bed? Why not make it Cozy Earth sheets, Cozy Earth blankets, cozy Earth PJs, loungewear, they got it all. And I'm telling you, it's worth it. It's worth the investment that you put into these products because they're unlike anything else that you have ever tried. Guarantee, Guarantee. So we have a code here, it's called more than. And you can get 40% off if you go to cozyearf.com so get you bubble cuddle blanket, get you cozy air sheets and go retreat in your bed.

C (5:38)

There you go. There you have it.

B (5:40)

Thank you, Cozy Earth, for sponsoring this.

C (5:42)

Podcast from a stressed out mom.

B (5:45)

Yeah.

C (5:46)

All right. Thank you, Cozy Earth. And now back to the episode.

B (5:50)

Talk about a whirlwind of, you know, I think moving and like experiencing this summer and knowing that new schools and all that, it's been like, like accepted by everybody in the house. But then it's like it's here and it's real and just. I don't, I don't know. I don't know. Like, I didn't know, like, what my emotions were because I'm like back in like that schedule mode and gotta do this, this and this and just been really stressed out with all the things prepping before school. And then it's here.

A (6:29)

Let's talk photos. Not just storing them, showcasing them. You've got images that matter. Whether you're a photographer, a business updating your followers, or just someone who wants to share life's moments the right way. So why hand them over to big tech's one size fits all cloud? Big tech companies are the fast food of photo sharing. Quick, easy, but not exactly gourmet. And what about your data integrity? Jalbum.net is the photo sharing solution that puts you in control. Want to host images on your own server? You can want a layout that actually reflects your brand or style. J album's customizability is unmatched. And if you're a business sharing regular photo updates with your audience, this tool was built with you in mind. But don't just take our word for it. Over 230 million web pages have been created with Jalbum, and it's got stellar reviews on Trustpilot to prove it. So head to jalbum.net to download your free software and try it out. When you're ready to upgrade, use the code podcast for 20% off.

B (7:24)

You can.

A (7:24)

Your photos, your layout, your rules. Jalbum.net and then I was feeling weird.

B (7:32)

About, like, dropping them off, but then they all were fine. And so I was like, oh, I'm fine.

C (7:37)

Yeah.

B (7:39)

And then it was like, okay, now we gotta get Blake and then bring her to high school. And I was like, do you want me to walk you In.

C (7:48)

Yeah, right.

B (7:50)

Like, no. Are you taking the van or the car? Yeah, you can drop me off if you're taking the car. If you're driving the van, I'll drop, I'll walk block, you know. But we just had an interesting, like, first week and first. So we've been so, you know, everybody knows the buzz bus, it's one of a kind. I'm about to burn the thing down because it.

C (8:11)

Oh, God.

B (8:12)

It. I. I don't know. Like one. It's, it's a blessing. We have the family van and we'll always have the family van and it carries us all, so we will always have it. But the last two weeks, it's just been going through one of its growing pains too, where it's like, I don't want to work. And that is very complicated for us as a big family because if it really needs to go to like the shop, it's so complicated to get like a loaner car that fits us and all the things. So I think last time we ended up renting a car out or something insurance like paid for us, like rent a car out while the shop. It was like in the shop for like a month or two. But it's, it's, it's one to give us a little bit of extra excitement.

C (9:05)

The past couple weeks, it's. We've had. I think it all centered around the battery, which I was like, thank God.

B (9:12)

The battery. We've had two of them. It's been replaced.

C (9:15)

It's just been the battery. But it's, it's funny because it's like this ongoing saga with the battery in the van because I don't know if it just has to do with. Because it's a conversion van. It's got the TVs, it's got onboard power inverters so the kids can plug in all kind of stuff it. And so I don't know if it just. It gets finicky with like the electrical system or whatever, but.

B (9:39)

Or it's getting to be like years old already.

C (9:42)

Secular batteries that we've been putting in this fan. I mean, it's like a big he heavy duty battery. It's huge because it's a big van and we've had to warranty the battery out, I think two to three times.

B (9:56)

Three times, two in the last like six months.

C (9:59)

And I have. And I purposely bought the. The top of the line, best battery that they had for the van. Thinking, okay, we're not going to have any issues, like bought the whatever, the platinum, whatever Best battery they have for this fan.

B (10:13)

Wait, this is very much Adam right there, what you just said. I bought the top of line to go and show you that sometimes top of the line isn't the best. Well, in this case, it wasn't.

C (10:23)

We'll see with this new battery.

B (10:26)

But. So. So we are. We are. We're taking back to the very first day of school. We are. The first day.

C (10:31)

No, it's, like, a few days before the first day.

B (10:33)

Yeah, but I'm talking about the van.

C (10:34)

Left us stranded out in the dark.

B (10:36)

Yeah, but this was the. But we didn't have. It's not like we were like.

C (10:39)

We went to the. We went to the very first, like, Friendswood community event. It was like this pep rally that we went to.

B (10:48)

It was our first. Not the first of the.

C (10:51)

Our. The first one that our family attended. And it's like this under the oak thing where they had, like. It was like, a community pep rally that had all the. The local, like, organizations and stuff. They all had tables and stuff. So you. Schools with their, like, meet everybody and stuff and stuff. Yeah. And so we ended up. You know, we took all the kids, let. Let them watch, like, the cheerleaders and stuff, do their thing. The band played and all this stuff. But we got to talking with. We met the superintendent for all of Friendswood, which was super pleasant guy. Very nice conversation we had with him, and we ended up talking to him, like, late into the event. And so by the time we were walking out to the van, like, pretty much everybody had left.

B (11:34)

Yeah.

C (11:35)

Lights were out, and we're walking out to the van. Get in. The van doesn't start. You got to be kidding me. So we. We had parked on the street, and van just dead in the water. Nobody here. A guy, like, passing down the road, he stopped, pulled out his jumper cables. Jumper cables weren't even working. Weren't even starting the van. I was like, oh, great. Here we go. Cop pulls up, turns his lights on. He's. He's been super helpful.

B (12:06)

Well, we had a little jump box.

C (12:07)

Yeah. And we had a jump box to.

B (12:09)

Carry with us the last, like, couple months.

C (12:11)

Yeah. Because you just never know. So we keep it in the back of the van. So, like. And ultimately, we ended up. It was something like, I was connecting the jumper cables where you're supposed to connect to, but it wasn't charging, and it wasn't starting the van. And so I ended up. We shifted the cables around and put it, like, directly onto the wires. We've finagled the wire the wiring harness to where you could put the cable right onto the wires. And got the van started. And so we're like, let's get it off the street, get it into this parking lot, and let's see if it's gonna stay going. So we pulled it off the road, pulled it into this dark parking lot, and then.

B (12:50)

No, you're forgetting some of the funniest details of this. I'm like, you're usually all in the super descriptive, like, black to red, blah, blah, blah. But in the meantime of like, it, like, we got it to the cop was like, okay, we had our little box. It started it, and Adam wanted to take it off right away. And the cops like, no, just leave it on there. Let's make sure it goes. And Adam's like, oh, should be fine. And he takes it off, and the van. The van dies. So the cops like, this is why I say leave it on. I was like, oh, just a jump box. So. So we do it again. It starts up, and we leave it on for a few minutes. Perfect. Great. All right, we're good. We're good. Blah, blah, blah. And the cop's like, I'm just gonna. I'm gonna just hang around, make sure that y'. All.

C (13:35)

It.

B (13:35)

It stays going or whatever. So I'm like, all right, kids, get in the car. Get in the car. And Adam's like, thank. Thanks. Whatever's still outside. And Blake hops in back. She's like, mom, turn the air on. I go to turn the air on. The main dies.

C (13:48)

Great. Why did you turn the air on?

B (13:50)

Oh, man. I was like, dang it.

C (13:52)

Because it was, like. It was like, 8:40, and the auto part store closed at 9, and so I knew, like, we need to get there quick so I can buy whatever I need to buy to, like, fix this. And so.

B (14:09)

So he jumped it again, got it started, and then pulled it off the.

C (14:13)

Side of the road.

B (14:14)

Yeah, he's holding the jump box. And I pulled in to, like, the parking lot area, and I've just parked the car, and it's still running. I didn't touch the air. I didn't touch anything. And Adam's talking to the cop, and the van dies again. It's just sitting there on, and it dies. And at that time before, I had already texted a group of, like, of our friends with friends, and I was like, oh, my gosh, we need some help. We're stranded. Can someone come pick us up? Probably need two vehicles. There's a bunch of us. So in the meantime, when I Said that two friends were like, okay, yes, we're on our way. Their husbands were on their way. Well, then we got the man started and moved it to the side of the road. And I was like, oh, no, we got it started. No problem. Thanks anyway. We got it. Then it died again. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. I will not be asking these people again. Like, get in your car. Leave. Get in your car. Like, I was like, I'm not doing it. So then I called Corley. I was like, okay, we need help now. Like, now you're going to come. We need your help. You're going to come get us. Because now it's died. It's started. It's died. It started. People are going to pick us up. We told them not to. They're going to come. We told them not to. So I'm just going to call one person. Come. Come get us. And so, yeah, it was funny because he thinks Corley's coming to pick us up. And I'm waiting for him to. Just before I called her, I'm waiting for him to come jump the car again. And he's just hanging out back there talking to the cop. And I'm like, adam, it's dead. It died again. Come jump it again. He's like, the jump box is dead. I'm like, oh, my gosh. He's like, are they is or cor them come to get us? I'm like, no, because it started. He's like, well, call him again. Call him. So it was. It was interesting.

C (16:02)

So finally, so they brought two cars, one for Danielle just to take the kids home. And she just left the car with her. And then me and Ben went straight to the auto parts store to beat there before they closed. And so I just. I literally bought everything to fix this battery. And I mean, even tools, because I didn't have tools with me. So I buy everything. Ben's brother meets us there. Corly was with us whenever we got.

B (16:31)

To this, and they had some of their kids.

C (16:33)

She left to bring the kids home in Ben's car. And then we rode back to the van with all the stuff, all the supplies.

B (16:41)

Three men in a truck.

C (16:43)

Me, Ben and Jay and Ben's brother.

B (16:45)

Did you get a flashlight?

C (16:46)

No, I didn't buy a flashlight. We just had iPhones. And so we get all the way back to the van. I pull the. I pull the bolt off the van. And it was just funny because, like, the wiring harness slides into this boot. And whenever I pulled the boot off the battery, I Could just, like, fold it over. Like, that's not right. And immediately I was like, oh, crap. All these wires are, like, broken or something in here. What's going on? So I pull the boot all the way off, and the wires were intact. And so I just took the wires, and I just touched it straight to the battery. And then Jay was able to start it up. I was like, that's weird. And so come to find out, last four months ago, whenever we warrantied this battery out, the guy that changed it at the auto parts store, he slid the wiring harness into the boot, and instead of overlapping the washers, he just butted them together. And so the wiring washer that was attached to the boot was just connected, and the other main wiring harness was just kind of touching it.

B (17:51)

To all you women listening out here, we have no idea what he's talking about.

C (17:54)

And then that's why, over the last couple of years, weeks, every now and then, the van just randomly wouldn't start, because if it got kind of wiggled loose or whatever and wasn't touching all the way, it just wouldn't start. And so it's just baffling.

B (18:08)

So we got that fixed. That was on, like, Saturday.

C (18:11)

Yeah, a Saturday started fine.

B (18:14)

First day of school's Tuesday started fine.

C (18:16)

Going to school, we get the kids dropped off to their new elementary school.

B (18:20)

And we were walking them in, so we parked, and you actually made a.

C (18:23)

Comment, what if I should just leave the van on?

B (18:26)

Yeah, you're like, oh. And because, like, Blake was not done getting ready, so she. The goal was she was going to ride with us. So we just go straight to drop her off afterwards. Because I'm like, it's first day of school. It's gonna be traffic.

C (18:37)

And this was, like, the first time we drove in the van since I fixed it. So I was like, I wonder if I should just leave it on.

B (18:43)

And I ended up turning over on Sunday at the tennis stuff. Oh, yeah, it was working fine. Tuesday. I mean, it's Sunday. Monday. Monday is when I went to target, and I'm like, I was my last stop. All those school supplies. I was missing one little headphone. I was like, last thing pulled in, and I'm like, stupid man. Won't start. And I'm by myself with, like, three kids, and it's hot. And so here I am. I'm like, I'm going to do this. I'm like, all right, Adam. Black on black, red on red. And so, thankfully, it started because it took, like, three times, but it finally started.

C (19:18)

Yeah.

B (19:18)

Got home and the next morning, it's school morning. We get to start it, get to school, and walk the girls to classroom. No big deal. I didn't know how I felt because I was like anticipating a little bit more anxiousness and tears and very good, I think, because a lot of people were like in fifth grade, they kind of were already all sitting down and everybody else, it's like its own, like kind of little wing and pod. And so there was a lot of other kids, like still getting to their classrooms and stuff, but fifth grade was kind of already settled and they felt kind of like, oh, no, we're late. Which we weren't really late, but anyways, get them dropped off. I'm like, okay, this is good. Now we gotta hurry up and get back. Traffic's horrible. Got. Gotta get Blake. Gotta get her to school. It's gonna be horrible. Traffic getting her to school. Get to the van.

C (20:11)

Dead, dead.

B (20:13)

Will not. Will not start at all. And now it's doing this clicking or doing something. I'm like, oh my gosh, like, Blake's gonna lose it. She's not with this area.

C (20:22)

Our very first, like first day, this new school. Vans parked out on the road at the street and Busby's vans dead in the water.

B (20:33)

How embarrassing is that? And then it was funny. It's like I saw the Busby van parked out in front of the street school, like, yep, yep.

C (20:40)

So luckily, luckily, there was one of the girls that comes over our house every single day. Her parents were leaving at the same time and they tried to jump at once. It wasn't jumping. And so I was like, look, just. Daniel's like, can you just bring us home? I got to get Blake to school. And so they just gave us a ride back to our house.

B (20:59)

That's when I popped in my bed, cuz I'm like. And then I hurry up and I got, I got in the house. I was like, blake, let's go. Got in the car, brought her to school, which took like 45 minutes.

C (21:09)

Yeah.

B (21:10)

Got back and I'm like, oh my gosh. Like, I am so overwhelmed right now with these things called emotions. And like, usually I don't experience those because I never allow myself to like, have enough time to like, think and process because I'm always busy. But I don't know, I just like got home and I was like, I. I don't know. I don't know if I want to cry, if I'm excited. There's so much to do. Like, they're in school the daytime, there's so many things that still need to get unpacked and stuff in this. But I was like, I just gotta go to Costco. Like, just all these things sink in. And I was like, I have to just have like a moment. I need a moment of just like, nobody talk to me.

C (21:55)

Yeah. So I grabbed all my tools, jumped in my truck because bands just stranded out on the side of the road. So I drove my truck all the way back over to the van and what was weirdest thing, like, I grabbed the jump box like we tried to do earlier, put it on there. Van started. Huh? So stupid. And so then I. I'm like, okay. So I just turned my flashers on on my truck, locked my truck, and then I drove the van straight to the auto parts store. Had them tested the battery. They're like, the battery's bad, it's defective. Like, okay, well, that's at least a good sign. I mean, the battery's under warranty. And so they're like, we can give you a full refund for the battery. And I'm like, well, do you have another battery? And then they're like, well, that battery that you have, I can't, I can't give you the same one because they discontinued it. I was like, yeah, because it's horrible. And I was like, do you have anything that's better or more powerful or whatever? And so they had this other battery that's. It was like $100 more. I'm like, well, I'll just pay the difference. Bought this new battery.

B (23:01)

And was it a top of the line battery?

C (23:03)

Oh, it was.

B (23:04)

Oh, dang it. I thought you were gonna say no.

C (23:06)

It's like the batteries that they use in like the people that have like.

B (23:09)

Is it like an RV battery?

C (23:10)

Really? No, people that. And I used to have one whenever, back whenever I had that show car. But it's like these high power batteries, Optima battery or whatever that they use in like sound systems and stuff. And. And so I'm like. And he's like, it's better for like cars that have like a bunch of accessories and stuff. Like our van does.

B (23:29)

It does.

C (23:30)

So I was like, okay, great, I'll buy that one. And so I went ahead and changed this one and, and got it, got it. Changed van, started right up, no issue. Like, okay. Drove the van home, dropped it off, had a neighbor drive me back to my truck, got my truck, drove it home. So I think the van's square. Plus we have a three year warranty on this new battery.

B (23:54)

So I'm I am glad it's still.

C (23:57)

Just a van and batteries. I don't know what the deal is. It just eats them.

B (24:01)

I just was scared. I'm like, dude, I mean, is it like, you know, like. I know what I'm talking about. The alternator, the starter, the things that I hear people say.

C (24:11)

Well, I was starting to worry about that.

B (24:12)

It's just been the battery.

C (24:13)

So last time we changed the battery, I was like, can you just test the alternator? And they're like, our alternator is great. It's working fine. So I'm like, okay, well, I guess it's just the battery.

B (24:23)

Yeah. And anyways, if anyone's listening to this and, like, wants to somewhat speak, Sponsor us with a new Busby van. We will upgrade 2.0 Busby Van 2.0, so we don't have to get stranded on the side of the road.

C (24:38)

I don't know if I'm gonna ever buy another conversion van.

B (24:41)

Yeah, I don't know either. But I think eventually, I always think, like, you know, in a couple years, like, everybody will be driving, like, will we keep that van then?

C (24:51)

Yeah, we'll probably, because we'll keep it for grandkids. Either a regular van or just get, like, a SUV that's got three. Like, three. Like, a bench seat in the middle.

B (25:00)

Will we keep that van for, like, grandkids and stuff? I feel like we should.

C (25:04)

I told Danielle I'm gonna drive it to the Wills Falls, but it's been on my last nerve lately.

B (25:10)

And so it's our. It's. We call it our. It keeps us humble van. Yeah. Because even from the. The trim.

C (25:18)

Yeah.

B (25:19)

I'm like, put the trim back on the van.

C (25:22)

I know I needed. I needed.

B (25:24)

And it's so embarrassing.

C (25:26)

I have the pieces for the fiberg pieces to put it. But we had a. We had a babysitter that stayed with the kids over a weekend, and she had to bring the kids to school. She ran into a Monday morning. And I mean, that. That van, you have to.

B (25:39)

Babe, you love rocks. I like rocks.

C (25:43)

She made. You know, in that van, it's like, such a big van. You have to make wide turns. Well, she didn't do that. She's not used to driving it, clearly. And she hit, like, this side swipe. This big boulder took off that piece of trim corner in our neighborhood, and both trim pieces just, like, flew off of it at the bottom.

B (26:02)

But we have the trim. And it's been years since that happened.

C (26:05)

I ordered. I ordered the trim pieces.

B (26:07)

It actually took a Long time to get.

C (26:08)

It's just kind of a pain because they're not painted and so. They're not painted. They're gray.

B (26:14)

Oh, I thought they were white.

C (26:15)

No, they're gray. And that's why I haven't. Because I'm like, I'm gonna have to bring this to a body shop. It's going to sit there for two, three weeks, and so I just haven't done it. So. Okay, I may just bring it to a body shop and say, hey, can you just paint these? And then whenever they're ready, just see if we can just bolt them on. Even though it's probably not going to match perfectly. But whatever.

B (26:32)

You know what?

C (26:34)

Better than just having missing panels.

B (26:38)

That is true. So maybe we should just paint all the panels, like, pink.

C (26:42)

No.

B (26:46)

However, talking about vans, I am obsessed with that new Volkswagen ID Buzz. It's called the Buz Van ID Buzz.

C (26:55)

Yeah, it's kind of cool.

B (26:56)

It is so cute.

C (26:57)

I'd probably. I'd probably trade my truck in on it.

B (26:59)

No, you wouldn't. I can't see you driving that. I just think it's so cute.

C (27:03)

It fits all my camera stuff pretty good.

B (27:10)

That's Adam Busby, media van.

C (27:13)

Yeah.

A (27:13)

Let's talk photos. Not just storing them, showcasing them. You've got images that matter. Whether you're a photographer, a business updating your followers, or just someone who wants to share life's moments the right way. So why hand them over to big tech's one size fits all cloud? Big tech companies are the fast food of photo sharing. Quick, easy, but not exactly gourmet. And what about your data integrity? Jalbum.net is the photo sharing solution that puts you in control. Want to host images on your own server? You can want a layout that actually reflects your brand or style. Jalbum's customizability is unmatched. And if you're a business sharing regular photo updates with your audience, this tool was built with you in mind. But don't just take our word for it. Over 230 million web pages have been created with J Album, and it's got stellar reviews on Trustpilot to prove it. So head to J album.net to download your free software and try it out. When you're ready to upgrade, use the code podcast for 20 off your photos, your layout, your rules. J album.net what color would you get?

B (28:16)

The orange one.

C (28:17)

I've never seen one in person, but I watched. I actually got.

B (28:21)

They have the blue.

C (28:22)

Whenever there's anything new or like, like, I've researched it, like, on YouTube and, like, see, like, reviews and stuff, and there was one. I've never seen it at a dealership, but there was a guy that reviewed one that was, like, gray and red, and it looked really cool. It was like. It was like a metallic silver, like, gunmetal color. And then the. And then the accent colors where it would normally be blue or green or orange or whatever was red, and it actually looked really cool.

B (28:52)

But total hot dad car.

C (28:55)

Yeah. Yeah. Slam. And put big wheels on it.

B (29:01)

That's hilarious.

C (29:02)

Anyway, get me an optima battery put in it and put some sound system.

B (29:08)

Some glow sticks. Yeah, not glow sticks. What's it called? Glow. Like the lights.

C (29:14)

Neons.

B (29:15)

Yeah. And puka shells.

C (29:17)

Heck, yeah. Be like old times.

B (29:20)

Anyways, first day of school is like. Or the first week of school. It's like, everyone is pretty much, like, above all, I've been very, very proud of how they've kind of, like, responded and adjusted, especially Blake. With, like, going into the high school.

C (29:39)

And, you know, new high school, new friends.

B (29:42)

That's just scary. It's scary overall, even whenever you do know friends in there. But.

C (29:47)

But yeah, Blake's been. The one that we've been most concerned about is just because it's. She's going into high school. It's her first year of high school, and we're moving to a new town, so it's just like, you know, she's got to meet new friends and all this kind of stuff. But a big boost was two weeks before school started. She had a tennis camp, which was. All the freshmen girls and boys did this tennis camp. And then the next week was tryouts, and she made the team.

B (30:14)

Yeah.

C (30:14)

And that was, like, a huge confidence boost for her, knowing that, like, she's coming in this new school. She's already on the tennis team. She's already made friends within the tennis team, but also made some friends through other friends that we've had.

B (30:28)

Yeah. Who's like, oh, my God, let's connect her with such and such. They have a freshman or. Which. That's been really.

C (30:34)

The community here is really great with the community here. Unreal. Just, like, super welcoming, bringing, you know, their kids, coming and introducing themselves, like, inviting Blake to Bible studies.

B (30:47)

Yeah.

C (30:48)

We've had a. We've had a friend, which her daughter's like, an upperclassman and has. She's come and picked Blake up, and they've gone and done stuff, and she's brought other friends and kind of done matchmaker with her friends and stuff with Blake. And matchmaker, like, friend matchmaker, like, she's like, oh, I have a friend that's going to be a freshman too, blah, blah, blah. And she's like, you know, they all kind of linked up and so it's been super cool. And then Blake's been, I mean, really great about just like putting herself out there and just super timid and not wanting to do it. Like, she's like, okay, and she'll just go.

B (31:27)

It's really. She's really, really pushed herself to be uncomfortable.

C (31:32)

Yeah.

B (31:33)

And I think because she's finding that there are a lot of other girls that are a little bit more. More like minded like her. And that's made her just kind of be able to connect a little bit. And so she's met a lot of people and now she's just trying to figure out, like, who are like, who's going to be like my crew, you know. But it's been, it's been really good to see her, like, kind of like walk through that season. I know she's was really worried about it and just telling her, like, when we do hard things, it helps us grow and, you know, learn perseverance and stuff. And so she's really been like, pushing through all that, which has been beautiful to watch. But on the other hand, it's kind of like, you know, the quints. I've worried about them adjusting and starting a new school, but not as much as it has been on the thoughts for Blake because the quints are together. They have each other. They're.

C (32:34)

Yeah, I haven't really been that concerned about the quints because they always have each other no matter what.

B (32:40)

But we do know always like the first day jitters, but with higher order multiples.

C (32:44)

Like, we're allowed to kind of dictate what. Just multiples in general, what girls go into a class with each other, how we pair them up and all that kind of stuff. So, like, we know going into it, they're always going to have a sister in their class or two. And so I haven't. I haven't been that concerned with them because, you know, they always have kind of a security blanket because they have their sister. And this is really like the last.

B (33:10)

Year that they can have that too.

C (33:12)

Yeah. And so it helps a ton because even if they do feel a little left out or withdrawn, they always have their sister by their side.

B (33:20)

Yeah.

C (33:21)

And, you know, that's what I've always preached to them. Like, you guys are a little wolf pack and you take care of your sister. You Defend your sister, you know, and I've always told them, like, you know, going through and being in groups of friends and stuff like that, like, if I ever find out that you are complicit with, you know, another group of friends making fun of your sisters or bullying your sisters and stuff in front of you and you did not do anything about it, you gonna be in trouble. That is how you get in the most trouble in this house.

B (33:53)

Yeah.

C (33:54)

Like, you always come to your sister's defense and you never, like, will stay silent whenever. If somebody, you know either picks on or bullies or anything of your sisters. Like, don't ever let me find out that you were complicit in that or that you've kind of stood on the sidelines with that. You always come to your sister to the fence. And so I haven't been that concerned with them because I know they always have each other. And so that's why, like, most of my focus and attention has just been like, on Blake and like, how she's going to do, how she's going to adjust and. And she's, yeah, just completely exceeded expectations.

B (34:36)

But this week has been hard, very hard. Because, you know, we've talked about in the past and you've also seen like on outdaughter too, like our seasons of like, Parker, when she was a lot younger, like, so like had anxiety and like walking through that and how we helped her. Well, we always, we've never really had experience any of that with any of the other kids. But we do know Parker still has like, you know, when it's a big change, like first day of school, like, there's a little bit uncertainty, like what's to come. So a lot of prepping and like reminding and saying, like, but you're going to be with this sister and this is what this is going to be. Like we went and toward the school and classroom, meet the teacher, like all those things. And we know she still has those experiences of like a little bit of anxiousness and whatnot, but she's been very well learning how to like, cope and manage it even as like a 10 year old. But on the other hand, we have Riley, who is very like strong headed. Everything's like black or white, full of like.

C (35:48)

Well, Riley, her biggest thing is she doesn't like change.

B (35:51)

She doesn't like, but she doesn't like change. So she's very much knows what she wants. She's gonna do that. And she already has thought of all the other things. That is why this is what her decision Was. And when it comes to this, even at the school that she was at for four or five years, like, even at that first day of school, it's a new surrounding. It's in something new. You know, even, like, moving to this house, it was. It was a. There was some anxiety with her there, like, some symptom, tears. And like, but what. What room am I going to be in? What bed am I going. You're going to have, you know, so.

C (36:24)

She needs to have everything figured out.

B (36:25)

She has to have it figured out, which is also teaching her that sometimes we can't figure everything out and we can't control that. And so that's. I think this week, it's been, like, the hardest for her to really start understanding that I have some physical anxiety. Like, my stomach hurts. My stomach hurts. But I don't really know what's wrong.

C (36:52)

Yeah.

B (36:52)

And I don't know how to explain it. And so it's been, like, today she, like, she stayed home today because I'm like, you know, we were up all night. All night. Lots of tears. Lots of tears. Lots of comforting, lots of praying, lots of questions, lots of talking, lots of holding hands, like, and she's never been a kid that's ever been, like, lay with me or whatever. But I could just tell, like, she was so uncomfortable, which then therefore made me, as mom, being like, man, I can't fix. I can't fix this, you know? And so then I'm emotional, and I'm like, don't like being emotional, but, like, it's hard to, like, have these feelings of, like, you can't fix that, but you try so hard. And it's something that they have to learn to navigate and walk through. And I think that's the hardest part of parenting. And though we've walked through, like, anxiety and stuff with Parker, this is very. This one is very different. It's a different. A different level of, like, how. And she's older, and she understands that Parker, like, going through, like, the season of, like, first day of school and stuff has been like. Like, man, my stomach hurts, Mom. I don't feel good. And I'm like. I was like, okay, well, these are like. We know when our stomach hurts like this, we just get really nervous. And, like, so we breathe.

C (38:15)

I mean, we want to. We try everything that we can to equip them and stuff like that, and you realize you can't do it for them. All we can do is equip them the best we can to prepare them the best that we can to tackle a situation. And there's only so much you can do as a parent. And you can encourage, you can pray with them, you can do all these things, but you can't do it for them. And she has to put herself out there and she's got to do it for herself and she's got to figure it out. And, you know, that's just the hardest thing. And, you know, knowing just her, Riley's and her.

B (38:59)

Her mindset is just very different than our other children. And so it's just. It's a lot harder to walk this, like, situation or struggle with her because she wants that quick fix, you know. And so she's also, yeah, doesn't like the way it makes her feel. And she is not understanding why she feels that way, why it's hurting her stomach, you know, and so it's just. It's because you can ask Riley any question and she's going to be blunt, out, raw, and give you an answer. What makes you happy? What makes you sad? Why does that bother you? She'll tell you. She literally will. She will literally communicate that with you. Now, through this, it's been a little bit hard for her to say. She'll just say, and this is what makes me, like, a little bit like, like, sad about. It's because she'll say, like, I don't know. Why does your stomach hurt? I don't know. Where does it hurt? I don't know. Okay, let show me. And so then you have to really just kind of break down. Like, you know, you've been. You've already gone to school, you've already experienced it. You've been in there with your sisters and, you know, walking through like, you had a good day, like, you did it. And you. And encouraging her, like, you know, and telling her like, you are or you are strong, like you're never alone. God's always with you and, you know, then telling her, like, if you, your sisters. I was like, you are in an extra special situation. Because no matter what, if you're scared, if you, if. If you feel lonely, like, you go get Parker and you go get Olivia, if it's recess, what. More than likely they're together anyway, but, like, it's okay. Like, so trying to kind of like build a little bit stronger relationships with feelings with our children is kind of like a phase that I think we're stepping into of, like, how do you connect a layer of. Of course I always want them to talk to me, but, like, I can't always be with them. And in this season of, like, y' all are together at school, how do we let them rely? In a sense, I want them to know that, like, they go to the Lord and God can bring you comfort and strength. But. And I tell Riley, I'll tell. I was like, I have these feelings too at times, and I just have to pray about it. And sometimes I feel better instantly, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time, and that's okay, you know? And so, you know, I don't know the perfect answer to, like, share with y'. All. I'm just telling y', all, like, this is what I'm, like, working through and, like, doing at a time. And I've seen some change and I've seen some growth through it, but also to say that, like, sometimes they just need a break. Like, they're overwhelmed. It's a lot. And I mean, look at me. Like, I had to come home and, like, have a timeout too, because I was overwhelmed after all the new emotions and changes and blah, blah, blah. So, like, it's a lot. They have been through a lot this summer. And so we're okay. We're okay with as parents like, that. Like, it's okay to take a break. And so, you know, I had to tell her. She's like, why do I have to go to school? And I was like, well, you're 10.

C (42:16)

So I can learn everything on YouTube.

B (42:18)

So, you know, it made me laugh. And I was like. And I was like, well, Riley, you know, this was Riley. This was this morning, too. I was like, well, Riley, I was like, listen, you have to go to school because there's actually laws in place where you have to be educated. And she's like, huh, so if I miss school because I have a fever, do you get in trouble?

C (42:43)

Work through everything? She's going to find the loophole.

B (42:46)

Yeah. I'm like, okay. Really? You know, it made me laugh. But she's incredibly smart and incredibly brave in, like, a doer and everything. But it's so. It's hard to see some type of, like, something attack like, her, you know, and, you know, it's not like the normal her. So this kind of is, like, now that I'm talking about out loud, it's almost reminding me of things God's put in the pathway of, like, homeschool and, like, talking about middle school and homeschooling them and like, all these different emotions and hormones and stuff that they experience. And so I'm just thinking, holy moly, is this. Is this going to be leading me into that and you know, this is just one new with one kid and we got five more, you know, four more who are going to eventually have some level of a different change, you know, and then when they say like, my stomach hurt, my stomach hurts. Always think Adam, every time the girls say my stomach hurt, he like, he freaks out because he's like, oh my God, they destroyed period. I'm like, you know, so it's like, let's go time. Go talk to your mama.

C (44:01)

So I have to, I'm out.

B (44:03)

I have to always make sure, like let's pinpoint where your stomach's hurting, you.

C (44:07)

Know.

B (44:10)

But so it's this, is this just so good? It's all fit. But I do I, I guess I would just say like, I'm very thankful right now that not all five of them are experiencing this because yeah, I would be a major roller coaster. Like, I mean, it takes me back to like the beginning days of like, I can't hold all of you at one time, you know?

C (44:37)

Yeah.

B (44:37)

And last night and whatever it was like, I can be there and hold Riley. Like I can be there with her. And yeah, it's hard. Those are those, those are those mom moments that like, get me. Cuz I'm like, oh, I'm not enough, you know, but that's a lot. So.

C (44:55)

Yeah.

B (44:55)

Anyways, I'm stop talking because I'm getting emotional.

C (45:00)

This is your struggle.

B (45:04)

We're not talking about meat. Anyway, so.

C (45:08)

Yeah, we don't, I mean, we don't really have the definitive answer.

B (45:13)

Yeah. And we've used all the tools I'm working through, but.

C (45:16)

And you know, this is something fairly new. And so, you know, we're working through it, we're working with her. And as we, as we learn, as we grow, as you know, we figure things out, you know, I'm sure we'll give updates and share, you know, our insight and what worked.

B (45:35)

And usually, and usually when we've seen Riley experience like the struggle in that big change and the unknown of that big change, it's like literally, Literally, it's like a one day thing. Yeah, she's over it. She's like, oh, that was nothing. I overcame it. I'm good. But this one's different and I know that, you know, constant conversation, constant not mean like it's the only topics of conversation you have. Like, still make sure that you're engaging with normal, see around and like, okay, what's for dinner? Hey, let's go ride bikes. Like any, any of the normal things. But have those mindful Conversations in intimate times together of, like, you know, let's go check the mail. Or. And, like, just do that with her. Or, you know, I don't know. I, like, just don't let your day go to bed knowing that you didn't try whatever you could to help her or him, you know, and so I think that's what, you know, as a mom, we feel those things and saying, like, but if she's not better, I didn't do enough. And that's not true. It's not true. It's just our kids are growing older, and they're having to learn how to deal with different thoughts and emotions and things that they feel. And there are things that we cannot do for them literally anymore that they have to adapt to. And it might take time. And so, you know, in this situation, like, Riley can be very verbal, and she knows how to articulate, like, things. And so having conversations with her has been a little bit easier in a sense, but there still is a lot of. I don't know.

C (47:22)

Yeah.

B (47:23)

Like, in her. Into her. She's thinking, why does that bother me?

C (47:26)

Yeah.

B (47:27)

You know, so just making sure to encourage her and to remind her who's. Who she is and who she is and that, like, you're never alone. Like. And I. And then I have to tell her stories, to tell her that she's not alone in this. Like, I have. I have days like this. And you know what? I feel the same way. And I said, you know, I can cry about this. And in our feel. And you have to. You have to. What's the word I'm looking for? You have to let them know that their feelings and emotions are okay. I was never told that, and I'm still suffering with that. So I am. I feel like I'm very. You know, we're not like helicopter parents by any means, and we're not like, babyfied anything. But when it comes to learning how to process an emotion and a feeling, I feel like I try my best to help them expose and walk through that, because it's hard. It's hard. Your whole life. Your whole life, you know, so applying and giving them tools, and a lot of those tools that I would tell you that I use that we've learned in the past. Just with Parker, even when she was a baby toddler was breathing. So slowing down, breathing, thinking of things outside of their own thoughts. And because something that they might say is, like, I can't stop thinking about school. I can't stop thinking about what tomorrow is going to be. I Can't stop thinking about who's going to play with me. I can't stop thinking about what's for lunch. When they start overthinking all those things, you, You. You take a step down and you say, okay, let's work on breathing. Let's count our breathing to just kind of slow their process down. And then you kind of like hit your five. Your five senses. So you start with five and you say, like, let's name five things that you can eat. What is something you can taste? Let's name five fruits. And so you name five fruits. Let's name four things that we. We can. That smell good. What are four smells? And so you start working through that to just kind of slowly distract their mind from, you know, their heart rate and that feeling. So just to kind of calm them. And then honestly, I think they're all different. And what really helps Riley was honestly, she's not like a cuddly person. She just really wanted to just feel cuddled. And I remember that when I, like, was walking through, like a panic attack anxiety for the first time, like, I really just felt like, man, I think I need somebody to hold me. And even though that feels really weird to say, I remember being like, oh, my gosh, this is like, what a panic attack. Feeling totally overwhelmed. It's like I just need somebody to hold me. And so sometimes it gets to that and I'm crying because, like, I know what that feeling feels like. And, you know, it's a blessing that I felt like I could be that for her. And like, wow, just felt a good reminder that, like, man, I'm so thankful that I'm here to be able to hold her. And then it bring me all back. You know, all those feelings go back to, like, I'm sitting here just like, laying with her, holding her in bed, just like thinking about all the days of the NICU that I didn't get to hold her. And God, I'm a mess. Hello emotions and hormones. So it just was. It was good for my soul to just be still with my busy body. A little child, you know. So anyways, it. It. They really just bring up a lot of beauty through some of the struggles, and I believe that. And I believe that beauty comes from pain, no matter who it's for and what we go through, like, it's kind of beauty on the other side. So, yeah, really gonna stop talking now because now I have a crybaby face.

C (51:28)

Yeah, it'll pass.

B (51:29)

It'll pass. And we were. We will get stronger. We will Grow and we will learn to use our tools. And it just might take a little bit different time. Everybody's different.

C (51:38)

Yeah.

B (51:38)

And we got six. Little difference. Anyway, that went on a craft fest. It's been a couple. It's been a couple episodes since y' all seen me cry.

C (51:51)

Couple.

B (51:52)

I think. So last episode, you were fired up about the Hazel stuff, so we didn't crown that.

C (52:00)

No.

B (52:01)

We kind of wanted to fight anyways. What else you got? Anything for first day of school weeks? First week of school, first days of school?

C (52:12)

I don't think so. I mean, I think that. I mean, for the most part, I mean, other than just this new change with Riley, I mean, I think the other girls have handled everything very well.

B (52:25)

Yeah.

C (52:26)

And. But, I mean, there's always things that pop up as parents that, you know, just catch you off guard and, you know, make you want to slow down and.

B (52:37)

Yeah.

C (52:37)

You know, this is, like, one of those things that. But, yeah, and it's just the. You know, it makes things hard just because the busyness of the house and there are five other kids and that you gotta attend to. But you. Whenever you have one that's struggling, you know, sometimes they just need it more. And.

B (52:57)

Yeah, and. And what's. What's so beautiful and revealing to me through this is just thinking of what we have transitioned through these last couple months. And, like, you know, God, telling me, like, you need to. You need you. I need you more present now than ever with the girls. And I'm like, man, we are. I feel like we're very present parents. And we've always had a heart to be present with our children. And not understanding, like, what does he mean when he says, I need you to be more present? And, like, I get it. Like, I'm starting to really get it. Like, the. The girls are getting older, and it's like, a different level of need from a mom, I think. And so it's a lot for me, and it's a lot to, like, adjust to and, like, try to learn myself, because I didn't grow up with, like, that mom that was, you know, there to do anything that I just said to help you through any struggle or ask questions or talk to you or whatever. And so it's very, like, healing for me, I guess, to be able to do this with my own children, but also, you know, having to learn to, like, really lean on, like, okay, God, I don't know what to do right now. Like, please help me. And just being able to really say those things out loud to you. But Also to be in that moment with my child and be like, you know, we just need to pray about this right now because, like, I really don't know how to help you anymore. Like, I've tried. Let's just pray about this. And you know, even if they don't understand, you know, the depthness of prayer, it's good for them to hear it. It's so good for them to hear it.

C (54:43)

And, and just to normalize, you know, for your kids of, you know, whatever they're struggling with or whatever fears that they have, they can lay it down at the feet of Jesus.

B (54:54)

Yeah.

C (54:55)

And to have confidence in that, know that he's near to the brokenhearted, he's going to fight your battles, he's going to go before you and to have confidence and faith in that and to go to that.

B (55:09)

Yeah.

C (55:09)

And to just model that for your kids, you know, that's what it's all about.

B (55:17)

Yeah. I think one of the best things you can do for your kids is to have conversations with them.

C (55:23)

Yeah.

B (55:24)

You know, the hard conversations, the easy conversations, the funny ones, the, the, the sad ones, the emotions you never want to your kids. You don't. The ones they don't want to talk about.

C (55:34)

You never want your kids to feel like they can't come to you with anything or to be scared that how you're gonna react to how they feel or something that they've gone through or something that's happened to them. You never want your kids to feel like they can't come to you with anything. And, you know, that's just comes from repetitions of just being open and honest and letting them re. And reassuring them that they can come to you for anything.

B (56:06)

Yeah. And, and I think I've seen that.

C (56:08)

That gives them, that gives them confidence, that gives them peace, that gives them security.

B (56:13)

Yeah. Yeah. And just reminding them that, like, you're safe, like you're safe and it's safe.

C (56:19)

And it's okay to have feelings, it's okay to not be okay. And you know, coming to a mom or dad with, you know, a fear or anxiety or a feeling, I mean, that's. It's normal, you know, and no, it's not normal.

B (56:37)

It's not normal to go. I would say it's not normal for kids to go to a parent. It should be normal, but it's a hundred percent.

C (56:45)

Yeah, but that's what I'm saying, like to, to reassure them that this should be normal for you to be able to come to me.

B (56:51)

Yeah.

C (56:52)

Whenever you're feeling this way and to know that we're gonna, we're gonna be by your side and we're gonna support you and we're gonna love you and we're gonna encourage you and we're gonna help give you the tools, and we're gonna sit there and pray with you, and we're gonna do all these things, but don't feel like you can never come to my for something like this.

B (57:12)

Yeah.

C (57:14)

Yeah.

B (57:15)

So I just think having conversations and every, every family is different. And, you know, our dynamic is very different than a lot of people's given. We have six kids, you have to make. I mean, it's hard to fit everything in the day schedule, and there's never enough time. Right. But you have to really, really put down what's on your plate to be present in that moment of whatever that need is. And that is the role of what we should be doing as parents is saying, my kids in need, I'm, I need to help them, especially if they're coming to you, you know, So I, I, I think that we have a lot of life lessons that we will continue to be able to walk through, cry through, struggle through.

C (58:07)

Yeah.

B (58:09)

But I do know that I'm not the only one and we're not the only one walking through something like this. I actually had to call a friend this morning and just say, man, I remember you used to talk about walking through anxiety with, you know, your child, and, like, what did you do? Like, how did, how do, how do you, how this is what I've done. And they're like, you're doing all that you can do. Like, they have, they will have to learn this. And it takes time. And, you know, you just continue to pray. You pray with them and help them with these coping mechanisms and how to learn how their reaction is and what makes them feel this way and why and blah, blah, blah. So it's okay to seek advice as a parent for how to parent and certain things, because you don't have it figured out. I'm telling you, you never will. We try our best, and we're going to fail at times, but God is a God full of grace. And so we need to give ourselves grace. And, you know, it's the most rewarding and beautiful, beautifulest gift you will ever receive. And, you know, as hard as the days are going to be, like, being a mom is hands down, like, the biggest blessing that I could ever receive, you know, so very, very thankful. But I need Jesus every day.

C (59:44)

We all do. All right, all right.

B (59:48)

I'm tired of crying. I'm done. I'm done. Let's wrap this up.

C (59:54)

Thank you guys for sitting and with us on another episode of More Than Reality podcast. Hope you enjoyed it, and we'll see you in the next one.

B (60:03)

Bye, guys.

C (60:04)

All right, we love you.

B (60:10)

Sa.