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A
We are actually going to. That's the first time we're ever doing this. It's a different type of summer vacation for us, which I'm really excited about, because it's not a typical, like, summer vacation. It's. We're going to family camp.
B
So we decided.
A
Actually, we did not decided this.
B
This may be the craziest. It could be the best thing that we've ever done, or we could be at the end of this, we're like, why did we ever do that? So it seats exactly 14 people. We're bringing 14 people. And then we have all of our luggage. And so we'll see. We'll see how this goes.
A
This is More Than Reality podcast, where we dive into all things from faith, family, and marriage and share that there is so much more than the reality that you see on the surface. Welcome to More Than Reality with Adam and Danielle Busby. Hello. Hello.
B
Welcome, guys. This is episode 84 of more than Reality podcast. This is Adam and Danielle Busby. And we're here. Yeah, we're here on a different day than we normally film just because we're trying to, like, get ahead. We actually have to get ahead of a couple podcasts because we're going to be going out of town. And so we're prepping the house, prepping clothes, prepping everything. Full on prepper mode. Or call us preppers.
A
Call us preppers. Yeah, it's been like, laundry, laundry, laundry all day. And I told the girls, I was like, things that you normally wear that you want to wear to school, you're not gonna wear them this week because, like, there's all their, like, black shorts that they want to wear, like, every day. I'm like, we want to pack those. So you're not wearing them. Because I'm not washing again.
B
I never. I. I had no clue how many pairs of black shorts we had until y' all are at the trampoline park on Sunday. And I stayed home. And you're like, hey, whenever those clothes finish in the dryer, like, pull them out and then lay them out so they don't get wrinkled. And I freaking started pulling it. I swear. There's 20 something pairs of, like, black athletic shorts.
A
Yeah, there is a lot. And they're all, like, different kinds and brands, and some of them are newer, like, over the last year, but a lot of those are just. They've kind of stayed in that size.
B
So, you know, I mean, honestly, the quints. And when it comes to shorts, the quints could probably wear Blakes. It's like, like shorts you get. They're a little bit like because all the girls are real thin. So as long as they're like waist isn't really growing that much. I mean you can wear the same shorts for five, six years plus.
A
Yeah. They've just kind of been in that phase where kind of been stagnant in like size. But I purposely kind of buy bigger in like the shirts and stuff because they're just growing.
B
Because they're just growing taller and they're
A
like in a sense.
B
Yeah, yeah, they're growing. They're growing like little baby giraffes right now.
A
We are. I'm tired from the laundry all day. I think I'm tired because like my mental capacity is like just when I haven't had any caffeine today. Like I am just like in process mode of like what all we need to pack preparing and I woke up tired and I'm still tired but you know. Hey.
B
Yep. So this weekend we had.
A
But I did get my like list done. My like task list done today. I feel accomplished for all the things I needed to do like computer wise working at home, like laundry and like pre pack like all of it. I felt accomplished. So like that's good.
B
Good.
A
I don't feel like that every day. It's not normal to like accomplish the task on my list every day. Like I know usually there's always things rolling into the next day but it's
B
usually always like on Mondays and Tuesdays I'm kind of busy up at the good rancher's office for most of the day and but like like constantly I just felt like, man, I feel like I need to be home to like get ahead on the stuff that I would normally do through the week. Because we leave on Thursday.
A
Yeah.
B
And so like it's like shortening my week by two days and I'm trying to like figure out what I need to move up. I mean some of that, some stuff because we're going to be on a road trip and so some stuff in
A
the computer, some stuff I can work in the car. Vayner.
B
But also you just never know because of the nature of how we're going to be traveling. I just don't know how much work I'll be able to get done in the car.
A
It's like a 12 hour trip. I'm sure you'll get work done.
B
Yeah. But also I don't want to feel like a jerk for working because it's
A
not just like, it's not just me.
B
Yeah. Because like you're ignoring them. You will, like, listen to like, a book or a TV show or something like that. You'll just be like, have it in the background. And so I don't really necessarily feel bad about, like, being in my laptop and working. You know, I have to work and try to get something done while we're traveling. But we're going to be doing something actually. So we. I hinted at this the last week, but also, like, I want to talk a little bit about, like, the weekend first before we get into this whole travel thing, because that's what we're going to talk about today. But so Saturday we had the quints. So last week we had Parker's the week before we. Competition, gymnastics competition. Because Parker was the first or the only girl, only quint that wanted to actually compete in the gymnastics whatever you call showcase. And. And so this week was like, kind of like the, like the parent, like, show your parents. It's like, like, if you go to like, dance or anything, it's like your recital in a sense for, like parents to like, see everything that you've done.
A
It was nothing like a recital.
B
I mean, but that's like, there would be the equivalent to it. So it was like the end of semester, like, hey, look what we learned.
A
Yeah.
B
And so then it was Ava, Olivia, Hazel and Parker, which we've already seen what Parker can do. And even, like, for the showcase, like, Parker did less than she did at the competition. I feel like Parker was just kind of going through the motions, that she's like, I just competed in this last week. Like, yeah, she was just kind of.
A
But we didn't know that when I signed them up for, like, when I said, oh, yeah, we want to watch them. I didn't know that back in January, Feb. Or February when it was like, hey, yeah.
B
But it was good to see, like, I mean, all four of them were there and we're like, doing the showcase and. But they went to, like, each one of their events and they kind of did, like, a few things at every event to, like, show like, what they've learned over the last few months. And I don't know, maybe I shouldn't have seen Parker compete last week before I saw, like, just. Because obviously it was like, a lot less. Well, what you said, a lot less
A
intense was exactly what I tell you that, like, Parker shows a drive and an interest in doing gymnastics. The other girls are just doing gymnastics because we like to keep them active in activities. And at least one, they have to. We've always said, like, they need to be doing something every like semester, like one thing. And it can be dance to piano, to art, to like whatever it is. Like just some extracurricular activity.
B
But it's, it was interesting because like Parker knows that she's good at it and so she doesn't mind competing in front of people. Like she's confident.
A
Yeah. That's what has changed a lot.
B
But it's, it's funny seeing the other three and they were like a little bit more like super cool.
A
Well, they didn't want to do it.
B
They didn't want, they didn't want to compete or didn't want to like perform.
A
They didn't want to do it in front of other people.
B
In front of a bunch of other people. And there's probably 100 people there. Ish. And, and so you could tell they were like kind of nervous about it. But I mean it wasn't that big of a deal like what they had to do. I mean it's not like.
A
And it's like stuff they do every day at home, like on all their gymnastics stuff. But you know, I, I feel like it's a good, it's a good thing to like, like make them do it.
B
Yeah.
A
Like you're gonna be in situations your whole life where you're like having to do things and perform or speeches or classroom thing like in front of other people and it's uncomfortable. So you got to give them a little like.
B
I know like Hazel, Hazel loves to
A
dance, but she won't go dance anymore.
B
Yeah. But you know, gymnastics is a little bit more like technical.
A
I don't think, I don't think she's going to stay in gymnastics after this.
B
I don't, I don't think it's quite her cup of tea for one thing. Like Hazel, Hazel's kind of like Riley when it comes to like. Being limber.
A
Yeah. Well, Riley's watching them out there going, I could do that. And I'm like, oh really? She's like, I could do that.
B
We're leaving. Riley's like, I should have got an award for having to watch all.
A
Yeah, that girl.
B
I should have got an award for having to sit through this whole thing. It's funny. All right, Real talk. At one point, I feel like our morning routine turned into a full on supplement routine.
A
Oh yeah. Like collagen, protein greens, probiotics. I had a whole lineup on the counter and still wasn't even sure if it was all working together.
B
And with everything we've got going on with six kids, work, life you don't have time to overthink that stuff every single day.
A
That's why we started using Momentum. It's basically one shake that replaces 20 plus supplements in a single scoop. And it's focused on the stuff that actually matters as you get older, like energy, joint health, and even mental clarity.
B
I mean, yeah, I noticed that it's not that jittery energy, it's just steady. Like the kind of fatigue that sleep doesn't fix. This actually helps with that and it
A
actually tastes good, which, let's be honest, it's not always the case when it comes to health shakes.
B
Big win.
A
It's just simplified everything. My mornings don't feel like a production anymore. I just make a shake and I'm good.
B
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A
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B
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A
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B
One thing that we've both been paying more attention to lately is what's actually going inside of our bodies. Between raising six girls, work, travel and everything else, you just can't ignore how you're feeling anymore.
A
Especially with hormones and energy and autoimmune stuff. I realized there was just so many things I felt, but I didn't fully understand why until I actually looked into my lab test.
B
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A
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B
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A
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B
$365, go to functionhealth.com more than or use the gift code more than 25 for a $25 credit towards your membership. Like, obviously like Hazel struggles a little bit just with like, you know, just because of her, like eyes and everything. Just like with balance and stuff. And so like that's normal. That's.
A
She's done really well with it. But I think just even with like the show, like parent showcase, it's like, still it's intimidating. You've got like all these people just like watching, staring at you, you know, and they're all on different. They're all on different. Like, different parts of, like, what do they like doing the most at gymnastics? And so.
B
But I feel like, you know, like,
A
it's a very small smidge of, like, what they do every week.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, a little glimpse of, like, hey, here's, like, a quick second on this thing.
B
Ava did surprise me, because usually, like,
A
Ava, if Ava put the. The drive into actually doing, she would do it. Good.
B
Yeah. Because Ava has, like, really, like, she could care less. Like, has not. Doesn't really have, like, a drive to, like, she's just there, like, just wants to have fun.
A
Yeah.
B
And. But she isn't like, Parker. We're like, no, I'm gonna do this perfectly every time when she's in that
A
moment, like, she has it in her where she were. Like, she could do the posing and, like, she's.
B
For a long time, she's kind of a natural, and she's very poised, and she. She has great balance.
A
Intimidated.
B
Like, at the very end, they had a handstand contest, and Ava won.
A
Well, everybody knew Parker was going to win. And then the little girl next to Parker's, like, legs hit Parker and it made a fall. And April's, like, Parker would have won that, but that girl hit her on
B
accident because all the girls had to do it, like, super close together.
A
It's like, who can hold their handstand the longest?
B
I think Parker was probably mad about that. But Ava won. And Ava was, like, super well.
A
And out of our girls, they knew Parker would win, but Ava won it.
B
But I went back and I was, like, looking at the photos because, like, whenever they went up to do the handstand, I just, like, held the cam, held my trigger down on the camera, and it just took a burst. But, like, Ava was, like, like, compared to everybody else.
A
I mean, she's. She does. She can do it. She just doesn't like showing it off. Yeah, in a sense.
B
Yeah.
A
But I remember even when she was in dance and stuff, she was so pretty when she was in all of, like, when she did those performances and stuff. Like, she's actually really good at it. She just doesn't. I don't know. She doesn't like to do it on a level the same as Parker, you know, which is fine. Just fine. It doesn't bother me that she doesn't want to, like, seek it more, because I feel like she'll find what it is that she actually, like, wants to do.
B
Yeah. I mean, yeah, I never wanted to be that parent that, like, forces them to go, like, no, like, if you want to do this, you'll do it. And if you start it, you got to see it.
A
That's the only kind of, like, forcing, like, we.
B
Yeah.
A
Push on our kids. When we sign up for something, we're committed and we're not just going to give up. So we're going to stay for that, you know, the remainder of, like, how
B
long, whatever the semester is or season, whatever it is. But yeah, because if you sign up for something and say you want to do it, you're going to follow through and you're going to stick with it until the end. But once it's over, then it's so
A
very hard when you get. You can decide and you're like, oh, it's only. There's only one left.
B
Yeah.
A
Or this is only this. Like, you know, it's over now.
B
Yeah.
A
But it's like, no, we. We said we were gonna do it, so we're doing it.
B
And then Sunday we've been. It's funny because, like, the Quint's birthday was like a month. Over a month ago. Yeah, way like a month and a half ago. The Quinn's birthday was. And. But we've been traveling and doing. Have had stuff like, every weekend and then just trying to coordinate because all of their friends are in sports and all this kind of stuff. So we're trying to figure out, like, what's the best day to have, like, a birthday party that, like, their friends can actually be there. And so finally, a month and a half later, they just did like, a little birthday party with their friends.
A
Call it like a month.
B
It was a month and a half ago. They went to. Well, it's been every day.
A
It's been every day. Like, mom, when are we doing a party? And I just kind of thought, like, man, I don't know if we're gonna be able to get to doing anything. Which has been so off for me because I'm not this. When it comes to, like, their parties and birthdays and stuff, it's usually theme and elaborate and all these things. And this, this one was just weird because I think because we weren't home originally for their birthday and we. We were like coming back from Cinnamon Shores, and then it was. Everything was just different this season of birthday season. And it literally was something every weekend. And so I promised them like in April, I'm like, I promise you we're going to get it done. We're going to get it done. I know school's coming. We're going to do it before school gets out. And then Thursday Came around. I'm like, oh, my gosh, we aren't here next weekend. We have to. I have to do it. So I literally was like, here's the friends. Here's the friends. Like, now we've got, like, League City, like, their friends that they've known their whole life, and then, like, their new friends here.
B
And so was that an interesting dynamic?
A
No. I mean, because they're League City. Like, their original friends have, like, come over to the house before and played. And so it. Honestly, it's fine.
B
I mean, there's, like, competition between, like, old friends and new friends.
A
No. And I think. I think if it would have been at home in, like, a smaller proximity with everybody just, like, on top of each other.
B
Other.
A
But we were at the trampoline park, and you got five girls and 10 other girls, at least. Not everybody come, but there was, like, 10 other girls. So they're all pairing up and different and doing different activities and running around and switching off, like, who's with who. And so I just. It was fun for them. And, you know, it's a. It was a good. They were excited to do it, and it was just. It. I still am, like, feel weird about it all. Like, I just ran to heb, picked up cupcakes. It was, like an impromptu birthday party play date.
B
Yeah.
A
But it worked. They were excited to finally, you know, have it. And it was good. It was worked out.
B
Yeah. That's why I didn't go.
A
Missed a couple.
B
It's gonna be like. I knew it was going to be, like, a ton of kids, and so it's like.
A
Well, and plus, I did it on Sunday.
B
If I go, like, they're not. There's so many kids that they're all, like, entertained. And so they don't necessarily need me to go, like, run and play and do stuff with them. And so, like, I'm just gonna be, like, sitting there anyway, so.
A
No. And then it's like, majority of it's going to be like, the moms either dropping off or them or mom staying. And that's what it was. And so, like, you know, we didn't barely saw the kids the whole time until it was time for, like, pizza or whatever.
B
You know, those outfits that the second you put them on, you're like, yeah, I'm wearing this all day. That's basically Danielle with the cozier jogger
A
set right now, literally, the brushed bamboo jogger set is one of those things that I reach for constantly because it's crazy soft, lightweight, and still looks put together enough. If I have to run errands or leave the house.
B
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A
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B
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A
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B
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A
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B
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A
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B
Text more to 64,000 but it was
A
a fun time and got back and well after that we had to go. I was like oh my gosh, the girls need one piece swimsuits for vacation where we're going this year right when school gets out. And so I know we have some at the house but I could not guarantee what they looked like, how dingy and hand me downs they were because
B
we don't then we don't necessarily have a swimming pool right now where whenever they just go outside with their bathing suit they just go play in the pool. But like now at our new house, they're usually out, like, in the sprinkler or, like, slipping, sliding on the outside.
A
So. So many veins, like, they're ruins. Just mud and gross. And I was like, I will not be bringing those. That'll be look so tacky. But. But I knew we still had some because we had gone to Cinnamon Shore, and, like, some of them picked out, like, one or two of them had, like, purple one or whatever. But I wanted them to be, like, more conservative. And so I was like, I want to get one that I know to have cutouts on the side or, like, in the middle or, like, whatever. So I was like, you know what? I don't want to have to deal with it this week after school and all the other things, planning and getting stuff done. So let's run a target and go get a swimsuit. So then we got home later, and. Yeah, I don't know.
B
Yeah.
A
So I don't think I ate dinner. What did I eat? Leftover.
B
Like, I didn't even eat last night.
A
Yeah. It's just weird.
B
We had a big lunch. Like, we went and tried this New Mexico.
A
Oh, that's what it was.
B
Mexican place.
A
I thought it was great, but everybody else didn't like it.
B
I've had indigestion, like, all day today.
A
Really. I had tostadas, and they were the best toastados I've ever.
B
But then we also had Mexican again. We had, like, Torchy's tacos today for lunch.
A
Oh, well, that's what it was.
B
No, but I was. That was. I had indigestion before we had tacos. I had, like, two.
A
I don't think it's too big necessarily, your Mexican tacos. I think it's just your age in
B
a row, so I've been. I feel like I've been bloated and, like, indigestion, like, the last two days now.
A
Yeah. So all this prepping and stuff. So we are actually going to. That's the first time we're ever doing this. It's a different type of summer vacation for us, which I'm really excited about, because it's not a typical, like, summer vacation. It's. We're going to family camp in. We're going to Pine Cove family camp. And Pine Cove does do family camps in Texas, but why stay in Texas? We can go somewhere else.
B
So we may be doing, like, the craziest thing. I mean, this could.
A
No, we are. This could be to South Carolina is where this camp is.
B
And so there's two other families here in Friendswood. One of them that we've met at church. And now we do like a small group with them. But they have nine kids. Yeah, I don't think all nine of them are going because one of them is actually working at the camp.
A
Well, she got one graduated and she's
B
now a cancer counselor at the camp. But so they go every year. And so they've been telling us about this camp and how awesome it is and stuff. And their kids love it and it's just such a great time every year. So we got the invite and so. And it's like super hard to get into apparently. Like there was like a waiting list and they pulled some strings and figured out a way for us to go, but. And so now them. And then the spells and us are the. It's the very first time that we've gone. And so Ben and Corly spell, they own good ranchers. They're super close friends of ours. Now our kids play really well together. And so we decided.
A
Actually we did not decided this.
B
This may be the craziest. It could be the best thing that we've ever done. Or we could be at the end of this. We're like, why did we ever do that? But I'm still nervous about it. So Ben. Because we were just gonna like follow each other like caravan up to South Carolina. And then Ben's like, why don't let me look. Is there like a vehicle big enough for like both of our families to like ride? And I was like, dude, that's 10 kids in one car that's straight up
A
going to camp, that's going to youth camp.
B
I was like, you need to find like an old like church bus or something or a big like coach. And so he found like these. It's like a 15 passenger sprinter van that's been like converted. It's like a big conversion van. So it's got like three rows of captain's chairs. And then in the back it's like two long benches that kind of face each other to the middle. And so if seats exactly 14 people, we're bringing 14 people. And then we have all of our luggage. And so we'll see, we'll see how this goes. The benefit of this is like me and Ben can rotate driving and so we can just go through.
A
I'm a driver.
B
I mean, you can drive too if you want.
A
But I just don't know how I'm supposed to just sit there and not throw up the whole time. That's what I'm paranoid about is all the motion sickness and like I told Adam. I was like, this sounds fun and whatever, but, like, I'm. I've never been, like, completely set on. I mean, we're doing it, but I'm just like, it's so many kids. And yes, our kids get along well and all that together, but, like, you're
B
cooped up in a car for 13 hours.
A
Eventually kids, like, our kids will, like, sleep in the car and take naps. But I'm like, they're just going to be partying the whole time, you know,
B
like a party bus.
A
So I'm like. Like, I'm not gonna have any downtime, and I need my downtime.
B
The only thing that this thing's missing is a big stripper pole in the back. Okay. It's like one of those.
A
A little bit much.
B
That's what it looks like. It's one of those big party buses, and they all have. They usually all have, like, some sort of, like, dance pole in the middle.
A
Wow. Wow. So we will be. Drive. Take. Taking the big bus.
B
Yeah.
A
With 14 people.
B
We're gonna split it up into, like, two legs of the trip. So we're gonna stay like, stop halfway. We'll stay overnight at a hotel somewhere and then drive the rest of the way the next day. But, yeah, it's gonna be super interesting. And so I don't know how it's gonna go. Like, it could be great, but it could also be.
A
I just wrong. What I'm worried about is that I feel like one. I'm more so having to, like, sit back, which is fine, but I don't do well with that because I just get easily car sick. And so even sometimes, even with Dramamine and stuff, like, I still get, like, uneasy. And I don't want to have to deal with that.
B
And.
A
But I also don't want to drive the whole time, you know, But I just think about the kids and just the noise and like, just all of it. Just all of it in one tiny little van.
B
I mean, you have, like, a big TV in the back. That's the only thing I'm worried about. Like, because, you know, whenever. I mean, for any parents out there that have kids that either, like on long road trips, either they get like an iPad or have a tv, it's inevitable that one of them could be. Could get car sick because they get fixated on a screen and then the van's moving. And, like, we've been there multiple times on multiple trips. I know the spells have recent as of recent for sure. And so that's one concern. So we need to have, like, barf bags.
A
Yeah. You bring your doggy bags.
B
Easy access. Have, like, a barf bag clipped onto their waist or something. And because they're all going to be
A
close together, hopefully keep the doggy bags.
B
Hopefully a kid doesn't get puked on. That would be.
A
No.
B
A disaster.
A
We've dealt with that. Well, I think we're coming back from the ranch one time, and we were in separate cars, and I drove in. Hazel puked.
B
No, we were driving together.
A
No, I was driving on your engine.
B
All over my camera bag, and we
A
had to pull over. Thankfully, it got mostly all on her blanket, and we just threw the blanket away. Like, I'm like, that is. That stresses me out more about. That stresses me more out than actually, like, packing and preparing for the trip,
B
thinking of everything that could go wrong.
A
Yeah. Like what?
B
Said, like, how to be prepared on this trip with 10 kids in the car.
A
Yeah. I haven't even told Blake.
B
I. I think I mentioned it to her.
A
Oh, you did?
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah. Because I wasn't going to tell the kids at all because they constantly will ask about it. And then the next day, even before, I was like, I'm not even sure I. I want to do this. Like, I feel like we should just, like, caravan, like, follow each other, and, like, we can, like, you know, swap kids off in between the two cars at times. And I just didn't want to deal with that. Mom, Mom, Mom, mom, when is this. Are we going to. Who's sitting here? Why is there. I call this seat. I call this seat first. Blah, blah, blah. And Adam, I get them from school. Daddy said we're riding with spells on the way to camp, and I'm like, oh, my gosh.
B
Well, anytime I say we might do something, they go straight. They go straight to Danielle, and they're like, dad said we're doing this.
A
I don't even know why you told him yet.
B
Because it's a possibility.
A
It's like telling. Telling them anything in advance. So far in advance. It's every single day. The questions and the. All the things about it. Like, oh, why don't you tell them? Yeah, but I know they. The kids will have fun with it,
B
but it'll be, like, the first, like, big kickoff to, like, summer for the kids. They. They get out of school. They go half day on Thursday. And so what we're gonna do, because we want to actually, like, spend some time in Louisiana also. So we're going to take our van with the dogs and drive it to Louisiana, and then Papa are going to dog sit.
A
They're going to have to board the dogs.
B
And so we'll leave our van and the dogs at my mom and dad's house. And then whenever they leave Friday morning, they're going to drive through, pick us up and all the luggage, and then we're going to go. And so that whenever we come back home, we can stay at. In Louisiana for another day or so and just like, let the kids. What?
A
Like, not just a day.
B
I mean, we'll see.
A
Stand. Plan on staying a couple days.
B
Yeah. And so just so kids can like, see cousins. They're out of school too. And we haven't been to mom and dad's in a while, I feel like. Yeah, so we'll get to do that. So we'll go straight, like a week of camp and then to Louisiana for a few days. And so it'll be a good, like, kickoff to summer. And then, you know, it was, you know, now it's like kind of we're getting into this new stage of life, going into like, homeschooling and stuff like that. And like, you know, I mean, we've always tried to, like, focus on, like, intentionality with family and stuff like that. And so, you know, usually we're going on a vacation. Yeah, we're like, with family the whole time. But this is like, this family camp is like, so much different. It's not like just sending your kids off to camp and they had. They had this experience and then you just kind of get downloaded at the end of, like, what happened. But now, like, this camp is like, fully immersive, like, with family. Like, you have like, specific times for family time. And then you have like, kids, like, play time and stuff where the counselors take them off and do all kind
A
of fun stuff adults have.
B
And then adults have their own time. Like, they'll bring in a speaker, but also just like, intentional, like just adult time. And then. And then you come back and then you have like, free time throughout the day. And then in the evening you have like, family time. Not sure what that looks like, themes and stuff, but there's like, theme nights and different stuff going on. And so it's just like very intentional, like family moments that they set up that they're super intentional about.
A
And I think what I've heard is that it's a. It's a place, camp wise, where it's like when a lot of times when parents go on any vacation or go anywhere out of town with your kids, it's so much work and exhausting that sometimes you feel like you are not enjoying it because you're making sure to be mom and dad. Right. Well, going to this camp, there's a level of like, every, like, family, I guess, is like, has like, their own kind of, like, counselor that really helps, like, with the kids. So, like, if mom and dad, like, want an activity or, like, I don't know, go jet skiing or go out on the lake and the kids want to go rope climbing or, I don't know, go do arts and crafts, like the. The counselors that's designated your family will like, go do that with the kids during, like, the playtime. So the parents can still have fun adult time, too. And so. But then they also have time where it's like, everybody does things together.
B
Yeah.
A
So it's a. It's a camp that's meant for families where the families have fun together. Meaning, like, like busby eights will have fun together, but then the kids can have some time together with other kids that they meet. And their camp counselors, as well as the parents can go have like a date night or like, you know, a hike just by themselves. And the kids are having a blast and not even realizing that the parents aren't there, you know?
B
Yeah. So that'll be fun. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is the forecast, but I mean, I mean, you can't. Can't control the weather. But as of right now, we're looking at the forecast for next week in South Carolina, and it's like every single day so far. Right now you can only see up to Wednesday, but, like, every day is forecasted for rain, and we're like, oh, goodness, we're gonna be out of camp and it's going to rain the whole time. Hopefully not.
A
Hey, so I'd rather rain somewhere else than it rain at home.
B
Yeah.
A
You know, at least find something to do over there.
B
Yeah. And I'm sure they're set up for that. They. I mean, this is nothing new to a camp. They're gonna have days where it rains. And so I'm sure they have some fun stuff lined up for, like, a rain day. Just hopefully that's not every day.
A
Yeah. And I got. Guess what? I picked up four puzzles at an estate sale.
B
Oh. And I. And I grabbed a new game. So, like, we love the game. Like, what's it? Catchphrase. We love the game Catchphrase. And we have, like, the electronics so
A
much that we feel like. I feel like we know, like, all the words that are on there.
B
Yeah. And so we all. Every time we do it, you split up guys versus girls, because that's, like, no brainer.
A
And.
B
But this one I saw, like, they came across on Instagram, and it's. It's one where, like, it has a handle on the bottom.
A
Catchphrase shocker.
B
And so it's just, like, catchphrase, but then instead of just the thing, the alarm going off to, like, say, like, you lost it, like, shocks you,
A
so you really know who had it in there.
B
It kind of raises the stakes a little bit. So it should make it a little bit more, like, exciting and. And fun.
A
It will be fun. Did you already fill the shop?
B
I haven't put batteries in it yet. Okay, I need to go get batteries.
A
No, listen to me.
B
I'm gonna try it first.
A
No, but don't. Don't do it first.
B
Be sure you can. You can set. Well, I need to see what. Because there's different levels you can set it at. So I need to see what these levels are. Okay, let me just crank it to 10 and just raw dog it.
A
That's what I figured you'd do.
B
I mean, of course. But, yeah, it'll be. It'll be super interesting. Like, I've never been to, like. I mean, we've done. Whenever I was younger, I've gone to, like, summer camps, mostly, like, church camps, but I've never. Honestly, I've never even heard of as a. Until like, a few months ago. Like, Like a family camp where the whole family goes together. And so this is, like, completely new to me. I don't really know what to expect. Like, I know what summer camp's like, but, like, one, like, the same thing. Yeah, but one that incorporates the whole family. Like, I just don't know. Like, we have, like, intentional, like, family time and stuff, but you have a counselor that's assigned to your family, like, pretty much at all times. And so. So you have your family that you do stuff with, but you also have, like, a college student that's, like, with you for everything. And from what I've heard from friends, it's almost like, you know, it's almost like an outreach to the college student as well. Because, you know, some of those may not have. Some of these college students may not have come from the best families or whatever, but to, like, see and, like, you modeling what. What a good functioning family is like to, like, another college student, you know, over the summer is a cool dynamic. You can kind of mentor or whatever. Who knows what that is going to look like? So I'm just, I'm going into optimistic and just super curious. Really.
A
I just like to go places, so I'm gonna have fun regardless.
B
And so it'll. It'll be like the most different vacation that we've probably ever had. So. Yeah. Stay tuned for that. That, the. That busby debrief on. On that podcast what that's going to be like. So.
A
But it will be hard because if the kids are out doing anything, I mean, like, it's going to be hard for you because you are always taking pictures and doing something.
B
Yeah.
A
And so I'm kind of glad that, like, to not have that in a sense, like, you, like, it's like you don't want to not capture anything.
B
Yeah.
A
Not take photos. But I also want to just, like, have a different experience of like, you don't need to be going around and just capturing everything. Like, just be there with us and like.
B
Yeah.
A
Enjoy.
B
And the cool thing about this camp is, like, they have like camp photographers and so everybody has access to the app. And so, like, at the end of the week or whatever, like, every. Every photo that they take, they're like, tagged in all of those. And so, like, the ones that you're tagged in, like, you automatically get access to all the photos that these photographers are taking as well. And so you have somebody shooting like high quality photos and stuff of your week so you don't have to. And so that's super cool. Even though my camera will come, but I doubt I'll. I mean, hopefully I don't have to touch it. I mean, like, we'll see. I mean, there may be a few moments of like, I want to bring my camera for this, but like the
A
theme nights and stuff.
B
Yeah, like one of the theme nights, like we're supposed to.
A
Hey, don't be giving our secrets, though. Oh, okay, people, other families might be
B
going because I need to bring my flash. I need to make sure I bring my flash. So I have a flash going.
A
Yeah. So that's the start of our summer kickoff last week of schools this week. And so it's. It's one of those weeks where it's like Blake's, you know, high school. So she's got finals going on, but basically just has to go to school to take a final and then she can leave whenever that's done. And then the quits, it's like they ain't doing nothing but just playing games.
B
I know. I'm like, the whole last week, I feel like of school is just like, pointless. But the kids want to go because they want to see their friends before, like, summer?
A
Well, no, because they're like, no, we do fun stuff. I'm like, I know.
B
Yeah. But it's like the last week, it's just, like, having fun and parties.
A
Yeah.
B
And so, yeah, like, on Friday, I was asking Riley. I was like, what did y' all do today? It was just like. I mean, even from last week, they're, like, not doing any more work anymore. So it's just.
A
I mean, they still do work, but it's not like it's going to get, like, graded to the.
B
Nothing really matters counts towards anything.
A
The teachers are trying to keep the kids entertained so that they can wrap up all the grading and all the. All the things that they got to do. But, yeah, that'll be interesting. So this will be our last. I told the girls, it's like, today. I was like, it's, enjoy your last Monday of school.
B
Public school.
A
Public school for now, you know, at least for a year or half a year. I don't know. We don't know. No, I think it'll be. I think that the kids will enjoy what homeschool looks like. Actually, I did buy something, like, something math and something reading, like, English reading, related to do over the summer, because I don't want them. Because, like, they're gonna just fall back and forget.
B
You don't want them to regress over the summer.
A
So I was like, you know what? 15 minutes. It's like a little 15 minutes a day.
B
Yeah. I mean, that's smart. And then, like, for.
A
We'll see how much of it we do.
B
We'll see how that goes in the car ride. Because I was talking to Riley about, like, just reading, and instead of just being like, glued to, like, a movie and stuff for the trip, to read a book. And. And so I remembered whenever we did this one thing, we got a bunch of books from this company. I'm like, oh, yeah, y'. All. You guys have never dug into that box of books yet. We. We had it stowed away somewhere, and so I went and pulled it out. But they need to come, like, pick a book out, and I want them to try to read a book. I mean, they're going to be in a car for 13 hours both ways. They can at least get through one book, I think. But there's going to be 10 kids in a car.
A
So you read a whole book in 12 hours?
B
I mean, yes, you can.
A
Boy, you'd be falling asleep.
B
I mean, I'll. I'll be in and out. I have the hardest time reading, for sure. That's why I usually need to do. If it's something that, like, I need to. If it's something that I'm doing a study with or a book study with a group of friends or anything like that, I need to audio have it in physical form and audio form so that I can do both. And I have the audio going while I'm reading it. So like, I try to. So I can absorb it better. But if I'm just reading, I'll get through like three pages and I'm out.
A
Yeah, that's what I said. You ain't reading no book in 12 hours.
B
Yeah, I've done it before, though.
A
I did too.
B
I remember every summer whenever. Because when I was younger, I didn't. My first airplane ride was whenever. Our honeymoon. Probably for you too, huh? No, no. Oh, well, my first airplane ride was our honeymoon and we road tripped everywhere as a kid. And so, you know, I read all the Hardy Boys and the, you know, all those types of books that is really Hardy Boys, like that book series.
A
No idea what that is.
B
So. And I would read. I would read like an entire book on a one trip whenever I was younger. So that was. I mean, because we didn't have iPads.
A
That also was like 30 something years ago.
B
And then later on, like whenever you're in like middle school, we had a van with a little TV with the VHS player in it.
A
I'd go on vacation or like go places with Emily and her family. And they had like the old, old Suburban and you'd like put the seats down and it was like one of those like little box TVs you'd put and you'd plug into the car lighter.
B
Yeah, we had. Anything about those days, I never forget. We had one of those Ford Astro vans. And so you would have your front driver passenger seats. And then all the other seats were bench seats in the back, but they could all lay flat. So it was literally from the back of the driver passenger seat to the back of the car was just like one big bed. And we would just like hang out.
A
Yeah, but your luggage was in there, right?
B
Yeah, it would just go under the seats. So the entire back of the van was like one big bed. Yeah, we just. We'd have blankets back there and we have the TV up front just like balancing on a seat.
A
It's a lot.
B
It's a lot. Yeah, that's like 90 80s, 90s. Like nobody cared. Like you would be driving down. I mean, whenever I was a kid, you'd be driving down the road and, like, it would be nothing out of the ordinary to see, like, a kid, like, up on the little deck behind the seat of the car, just, like, laying up there under the back glass. Or we had an old station wagon and. And I would just hang out most of the time, like a. I would just hang out behind the seat, like, in the cargo area, and that's where I would ride.
A
So safe.
B
I mean, that's what life was like back then. Like, everybody's so up in arms nowadays about car seats and all this stuff or helmets when you ride a bike and all these things. And, man, I never. I'm 43 years old. I've never read. I've never worn a helmet for anything ever in my life.
A
Please don't repeat that again to your children. It's. It's not so much like I.
B
And I used to do some dumb
A
crap, I know, but,
B
I mean, I had a little BMX bike, and we would make ramps and all kind of stuff out in the woods and.
A
Yeah, but nowadays everything is.
B
We have these. We'd have these huge hills in our neighborhood, and we would, you know, ride without touching the handlebars, see how long we could ride without touching the handlebars. But then we would go down these big hills, and we would not touch the handlebars, but then stand up on the seat and just, like, put our arms out and just, like, balance going like, that was so freaking dangerous. Like, I can't believe we've ever did that. No helmet, probably barefoot, probably no shirt on, and just little boys still alive, still alive, still alive. That's what childhood was like back in the 80s and 90s.
A
Yeah.
B
Did things different then. Like, now you can't. Like, as a parent, you kind of get anxiety of your kids playing outside without checking in ever so often. But, I mean, whenever I was younger, yeah, you told the girl, sun up to sun down. Like, if my. And if my parents were going somewhere and needed me, like, no way of getting in touch with me, they would have to drive circles around the neighborhood with their window down, just screaming my name, hoping. Hoping I would hear it. Like, my parents had a very distinctive whistle, and they would try to just, like, whistle, and hopefully, like, they would know that or I would know that that was them.
A
That was the call to come home.
B
And I would come. But I mean, other than that, you had no way of getting in touch. They'd call my friend's house, but I'm with them, and we're off out in the woods. Somewhere or three neighborhoods over out in the middle of the woods.
A
Here you are with a bunch of girls that you don't want doing any of that.
B
Yeah, I know. Like, they're like, can we ride our bikes down the road to the gas. To the gas station? Even though I did it, I did it a million times whenever I was 8 years old. But like, no, there are way too
A
many creepers out there.
B
It's the age of the Internet where. Because when, before, whenever we were kids, you didn't have the Internet.
A
No.
B
And so you didn't hear about all those bad things that could happen or even like all these fake stories. Really. It's a lot of fake stories that people are just like, scared.
A
Did you hear stories? Of course. They're fake stories. And so every day about us.
B
But now, I mean, you have access to the Internet and you see every possible thing that could go bad all across the world at all times. And so now it's like you, you have just this heightened fear of everything bad that can go wrong because you've seen it all.
A
Well, it's just a layer of like wanting to protect that.
B
Yeah.
A
Zone a little bit more because. Yeah, because we have access to see all the horrible things that happen around the world. So our eyes are more open to saying, okay, girls, here's a little bubble. Yeah, here's some rules, xyz.
B
Yeah. So I don't know because I'm all for being like somewhat of a free range parent and just like letting the kids go from friend's house to friend's house and go have fun. But yeah, they still need a check in. You like, you're glad they have like a phone or access to a phone where they can check in at least once every hour. So just so you know where they're at or you can track them. But yeah, I mean, we live in a different, different time for sure.
A
It's not the 80s and 90s anymore.
B
Yeah. So that's it. We're headed off to family camp.
A
That's it. Last week of school and off we go.
B
Well, we'll definitely have a fun debrief once it's over here in the next podcast. Within. Probably within the next month. Probably two, probably two podcasts from now. We'll probably have an update. I would imagine. So. Yeah, that'll be at the end of this week. And then honestly, the day that this podcast comes out will be the day that we're leaving. So we need it. Yeah.
A
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with everybody.
B
Yeah,
A
they don't care.
B
Get word. That was for me.
A
I'm like, they don't care.
B
All right, guys, thanks for tuning in to episode 84, more than reality podcast.
A
Thanks for listening to the blabbing episode.
B
We'll see you in the next one. All right, we love you guys. Sam.
Episode 84 — Our Craziest Summer Road Trip Yet
Date: May 21, 2026
In this candid and entertaining episode, Adam and Danielle Busby—famed parents of America’s first all-female quintuplets—share their ambitious plans for the family's most unconventional summer vacation yet: a cross-country road trip to attend Pine Cove Family Camp in South Carolina. Driving a massive 14-person van alongside close friends, the Spells, they openly discuss the logistics, anxieties, and excitement of traveling with 10 kids (14 people in total!). The episode also reflects on recent family milestones, the chaos of end-of-school-year prep, past childhood freedoms, and how parenting standards have shifted over time.
First Ever Family Camp Adventure:
Travel Setup:
Parental Concerns:
Managing Kid Expectations:
Gymnastics Recital and Confidence-building:
Delayed Birthday Celebrations:
Prepping for the Trip:
Reflecting on School Routines:
Road Trip Nostalgia:
Modern Parenting Realities:
Balance Between Freedom and Protection:
Unique Camp Setup:
Parent Relief and Enrichment:
Hopes & Concerns:
This episode is a humorous, heartfelt behind-the-scenes look at the Busby family as they prepare for what might be their most unpredictable trip yet. Highlighting the realities of organizing for a large family, the importance of building intentional memories, and how perspectives on parenting have evolved, Adam and Danielle keep the discussion light, real, and relatable. Their mix of practical advice, self-deprecating humor, and nostalgia makes for an engaging listen—especially for parents navigating the chaos of summer break with their own kids.
Listeners can look forward to a follow-up debrief on how the family camp experiment actually turns out in a future episode.
For more candid discussions and plenty of Busby family anecdotes, tune in each week to More Than Reality.