Here are a few pictures from this week.

Big Fun in Birmingham!
We are having a great time. Brent is in 9th place going into the final day of the competition. It is a long shot for him to be crowned the Champ...but not totally out of the question. We are very proud of him and he has worked hard and done his best this week. I will try to post some pics tomorrow from the last few days. We have been to the Science Center, shopping and hitting the zoo tomorrow. Not to mention endless hours at the hotel pool, outdoor show and weigh-in. (and hours and hours and hours at the weigh-in.)
A few side notes...
Brent will break into the million dollar club for BASS tomorrow. This is a huge accomplishment and I am very proud.
My hot water problem has followed me to the Sheridan. the camper is all fixed and now that I am in the high-dollar hotel--the boilers were down all day and I took an Ice cold shower.
My son thinks the outdoor show is like trick-or-treating for lures and souvenirs.
My city slicker friends from LQ had to rough it in the camper last night and couldn't figure out how to turn on the heat. They were freezing all night (except Bob--he had the 'master suite' and slept just fine.)
Thanks to all our wonderful friends and family for supporting Brent. We are blessed.

Things are lookin' up. We are having a great time at the Classic. The kiddos are loving the indoor pool and we are having a good time catching up with old friends. We had our "Classic Dinner" last night. Brent starts competition in the morning. It is a little stressful around here! But, we are excited and hope Brent can maintain his focus and come out on top. While he is working hard to provide for his family...We will be at the Science Center playing. It supposed to be incredible. I will post pics after our trip and let you know how Brents tournament is going.

I am trying to stay positive!

OK, my last post was Thursday night. I called the service guy Friday morning and worked out the problem with the hot water heater. Silly me---I need to turn it off by the breaker whenever we are not going to use hot water so it doesn't just boil over. Well, Duh! Everybody knows that. right?

OK, my 'fixed' water heater does work and I can do the redneck steps to keep it working until the part comes in. It will all be properly fixed when the part comes in this week.

It is kinda comical... I have been in Birmingham 5 days and been snowed on twice since we got here (plus in Nashville on the way down.) Crazy cold weather. You know what happens when it is suuuuuper cold? Your locks freeze on your camper and you get locked out until the sun warms the door. I AM COOL! I know. Don't be jealous.

OK seriously, this week has been a little challenging. But It made me pause and remember that I am living a dream with my husband, great kiddos and pooch. As we sat down to dinner tonight, I wondered how many families actually sat down at the table together and enjoyed each others company. I really do have it good.

In between all the crazy mishaps the past week. We have also had some great ones. On Saturday the kids enjoyed a Valentine party with all the camping buddies. Mason and Makayla had a blast at the party with Laker and Oakley Howell, Jordon and Spencer Martins, Hudson, Harrison and HelenClaire Faircloth, Cal, Hunter and Hannah Lane, Lexi and Bobby Lane. The mommies had some fun too. Robin, Leslie, Holly, Angie, Madeline, Jimmye Sue and I all went and had lunch at PF Chang's and then shopping. I love my friends form the BASS fishing world. I haven't seen them since the end of last season and it was so good to be together again.

Then on Sunday, the kids and I went over to hang with the Jones family. We went to Desoto Cavern and did the Cave tour. It was really interesting and the kids loved it. Then we came home and made a special Valentine dinner for Brent.

NOW- The Classic is upon us. We checked into the Sheraton and the kids are in heaven. A heated indoor pool and a sport show. We are set.

Brent is working hard and I am trying to offer tons of support and encouragement. He is a great man and I am blessed! ---on that note- I am reading "Power of the Praying Wife." It's great and I recommend it to everyone!

This is a big week. I will keep you posted.

OK--Seriously. I do not consider myself a whiner...but come on!!!!
Sunday- drive 8 hrs.
Monday- read the preceding blog entry! Be very afraid.
Tuesday- wrap is 3 hours later than expected so I have to hook up the camper in the cold wind by myself. Not that I am a wimpy girl...but I do not like hooking the camper to the truck and hauling it alone. Brent catches up with us and we get to Birmingham by 6pm. no hot water.
Wednesday- still below freezing temps. The hot water heater is not working in the camper so I have to hook it up and take it to a local dealer for repairs. The kids and I do this while Brent gets work done to the boat. They "FIX" it and I haul the camper back to the campground, level and unhook. 3 hrs later---NO WATER. The hot water heater is not "Fixed"-- off to the public showers.
Thursday- Brent goes to prepare for the Classic. Service guy comes to us at the campground to "FIX" the hot water heater. At 12:30 (after many problems and a minor fire) we think we finally diagnose the hot water heater problem. We "FIX" the problem and he orders parts to finalize it. YEAH! all better. I hang with kids, squabble with a beloved colleague over some minor work problems, and take a shower in the camper. This is a major accomplishment.
6PM- water starts pouring out of the side of the camper from the "FIXED" hot water heater.
Tomorrow-Friday- call service guy and bury my head!!!!!!!!!
And I haven't worked out since Saturday.
Don't mess with me people. I am close to the edge.

ARE YOU KIDDING??????????????

Some days require a trip to Baskin Robbins. Today is one of those days!! We drove 8 hours yesterday. This is with two trucks, one boat, one fifth wheel camper, one tired mommy, 2 cranky kids, one dog with too much energy and Brent. If that sounds rough...Wait till you hear about today. This was a Monday to remember. We got up and rushed to leave Paducah by 7:30am so we could stay ahead of the snow. We made it to Nashville...No problem...and drop off the boat and truck to have some work done on the wrap.

Here is where the Chapman fun begins. We pull in and start to set up the camper at Yogi Bears campground in Nashville. (For you non-campers---there really are Yogi Bear campgrounds.) As we start to unhook--- Brent realizes the 50 amp power cord is in the other truck! This means no electricity for the camper. Soooo, Mason and Makayla and I have Brent drop us at OpriMills Mall for lunch while he drives the 20 minutes back to get the power cord. The kids and I had a great lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant and head to feed the stingrays. We do this every time we go through Nashville. It is really overpriced, but where else can you sit with 350 fish in a giant aquarium and then hand feed stingrays. Mason got drenched by the rays as they splashed him.

By this time Brent made it back, hooked up the camper, left the GPS and headed over to meet us at the mall. So far---- not really too bad.

We are peacefully shopping for new shoes for Brent while yelling at the kids to behave. I am on the phone trying to approve the truck wrap graphics and Brent's knee swells up to 3X normal size in about 1 minute flat. Okey Dokey.... Mason says it looks like an alien laid an egg inside Daddy's knee. Mason said it won't hatch for 25 years, so not to worry.

So we text a pictures to our friend AJ and his awesome bedside manner is "That looks terrible!"

So we rush out looking for the closest urgent care. This is not easy since Brent took the GPS out of the truck. We finally find a place after blindly driving around the suburbs of Nashville. No problem. We leave Brent and the kids and I hit Petsmart for doggie treats. Penny is viscous to everyone we meet...shocker.

An hour or two later, Brent gets meds for his ruptured Bursa Sack and we get the RX filled. Did I mention we are in Nashville??? Did I mention that it is now snowing in Nashville??? Are you kidding? I just left the KC snow.

Ok. I can hang in there still. Just get me back to the camper for a hot shower and relax. Yeah right Bobbi!!!

We get to the camper and the water is off in the campground. Brent and I have to pack up 2 kids and walk in the snow to the public shower house in campground. IT'S SNOWING!!!

Bring on the ice cream or something stronger!

It's now 9:00 and I am finally sitting. So for those of you that think this is glamorous...think again.

Recap- drive three hours+no power+stingrays+injury to Brent+alien incubating+mean dog+snow+public shower facility=ICE CREAM.

I cannot wait to see what is in store for tomorrow.

Mason and Makayla partied all day while Brent and I worked tirelessly to pack the camper. I am exhausted!!!! Gigi took the kids to T-Rex and let them dig for bones and play. Then Mimi and Papa took them to jump on the trampoline at the mall and out for dinner. We are excited and tired and sad and happy and tired and missing friends and looking forward to seeing travelling friends and tired...(Yeah...I am tired!)

We are going to try to stay ahead of the KC snow and get to Nashville. Let the FUN begin.

And on my selfish note---PLEASE let Brent win the Classic

Feb 2???
Wow, where did January go????
Don't ask if I am overwhelmed...Just assume it is a YES!
Brent's bringing home the camper today and it's time to get busy. I am sure there is a giant dust bunny inside the door. I will open the door and it will roll out like a tumble weed to attack me!
No problem. I am ready for it.
This week is going to be so crazy. I have way to much work for one week, but I am going to manage some play time. Tomorrow I am going to lunch with two of my closest friends and then out to dinner with about 15 of my closest friends from the lake. I am sooo excited. I can't even tell you how much these girls do for me and how blessed I am to have all of them in my life. I will be missing my friends and can't wait for summertime at LQ.
Got fifth place in the big Texas Hold em Party last Saturday (doesn't sound nearly as cool to announce that I am the big 5th place winner.) I am holding out for the BIG WIN in Birmingham. I will give it to Brent. I can see us taking the victory lap around the Colosseum. This is Brent's 9th BASS Master Classic. Hopefully it is his year!
I am so excited to go see my fishing friends. Robin has been cracking me up lately. Every time we talk I hang up feeling... I don't know... refreshed and happy. I can't believe she is not my next door neighbor!!! It would be great!
OK. Off to get kids ready fro school. Mason has a follow-up with the asthma/allergy doctor today. We are working on our management plan and trying hard to keep him feeling good. I would like to avoid urgent cares this spring.