There and Back Again!

Monday we woke up to a winterwonderland and a snow day for the boys.

Thomas was so cute...his first snow day since attending school and he was so excited. Having the boys home for Elle's last day before moving was a blessing. She brought the rest of her stuff home, Gary and she packed up the van and her car and the boys and I ran a few errands and I made sure all was organized for Granny's stay with the boys.

We ended the day around the table enjoying a simple meal of pasta and garlic bread.

Family meals are my favorite and having the chance to do this ordinary thing one more time before Elle left filled me with joy!

We hit the road about 7:15 and made our first stop at an exit right before Dayton. Our plan was to drive straight through but since the decision was made for Elle to take her car out we opted to stop for the night in Lawrence Kansas. We are fans of the Hampton Inns with their clean rooms and complimentary breakfast and free stays with our credit card points. 

Neat story. When we arrived at the hotel there was a car on a trailer in front of the hotel. A 66 Malibou if I remember correctly. At breakfast Gary was trying to figure out who the owner was. As it would turn out they left the same time we did and Gary made a comment to the gentleman. The man then proceeded to tell us that he and his wife drove his father's 66 Malibou for their wedding car and the couple had decided to find and buy this kind of car to help celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. He shared they bought it in Illinois and were returning home to British Columbia! I was excited when we passed them on the highway and I had the chance to take a picture.

                                             First sunrise in Garden City, Kansas.
                    I decided to walk in the morning and was treated to this amazing sunrise.
                                         I woke up Elle so she could experince it too!

Elle's recruiter Jill and her new boss Larry gave us a tour of the hospital. It is a wonderful little hospital and the chapel has perpetual adoration and Mass on Wednesdays. What a treasure to have Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament in a place where so many are in need of healing and others are there in their time of need. In the chapel behind the Blessed Sacrament the entire wall was a window with trees and plants. I had such a feeling of peace here.

                                                                  Thank you God!

                                   ...and thank you to all those who are praying for our Elle!

Our biggest challenge of the week was to find Elle a place to live. We spent most of the first couple of days driving around and talking to people on the phone. The places we had seen online were really bad. We did get some leads at the hospital but nothing was panning out. Elle's boss did know of one of the other new nurses at the hospital that might need a roomate and Elle was set up to talk to her after work.

We made a quick stop at St Dominic's Catholic Church and were greeted and welcomed by 2 lovely ladies that were in the back of the Church setting some things up. They were so kind and gave Elle some info and encouraged her to come to Mass and told her she would love Fr. Reggie! Elle liked the puppy at the feet of this Saint...not sure if it is Dominic or not?

On day 3 we were all in need of a break and decided to visit the zoo which is located downtown and is free. It was amazing how close you can get to the animals. The weather was beautiful, the zoo uncrowded and spending time just enjoying ourselves was just what we needed.

The cats were fascinating. The pumas, a mom and 2 young cubs put on quite a show for us. The mom was putting the young cubs in their place as they chased each other and her. I don't believe I have ever seen anything like it.

Next door to the zoo was there natural history museum. I wish we had more time. It was very well done and lots of interesting paraphanelia. The funniest was the world's largest hairball which Elle's boss had told us about.

Thursday night we went over so Elle could meet the nurse, also named Michelle, that she could possibly move in with temporarily. Gary and I sat in the car and prayed that if this is where she belonged it would all work out and if not that we could help her figure something out. It seemed to go well and later that evening Michelle gave Elle the green light to move in if she could not find something else on Friday. As it would turn out we did find 2 places on Friday. One was a beautiful duplex that was a little expensive and no pets. The gentleman was very nice and had just come from morning Mass. The 2nd place was a one bedroom, clean and in a decent neighborhood but also one year lease and no pets. The lady pretty much told Elle there was no chance she would find a decent place that would allow pets which made her very sad. She felt like if she was going to be all by herself it would be nice to have a cat. The decision was made for her to move in with Michelle and so Friday night we moved all her stuff in and met Michelle. First impressions were great and the 2 seemed to hit it off.  We were alll exhausted so we bought Subway and went back to the hotel, ate, and crashed.

Saturday morning....our last day with Elle. I asked if we could just drive around Garden City one more time. (This time with no apartment hunting pressure!) It was a beautiful morning so we got Elle her coffee and drove downtown. My first request was this little sculpture garden right on Kansas Ave. and of course I wanted pictures. My family humors me for the most part.

We drove by the hospital again and Gary wanted to see another sculpture of one child swinging another we had seen earlier in the week downtown. We ended up parking and walking around downtown. We had a lovely time taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying one another's company.

and before we knew it...it was time to go. We invited Michelle, the new roomie to join us for lunch at IHOP. We had a lovely lunch laughing, telling nursing school stories, and getting to know Michelle. Leaving was easier watching Elle and Michelle drive off to Target together. God answered so many prayers this week and showed his presence in so many instances and for that I am beyond grateful.

and back on the road again....

Pictureless Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real!

A quiet Sunday night here at the homestead. Sitting here with a glass of wine and taking some time to reflect on this past week.

Good news...we bought a good camera. Bad news...I am still trying to figure it out and so far the SD card I bought for it will not work on this computer. I am trying to convert back to taking photos primarily with the camera and not with my phone. So at this point you will have to use your imagination for pretty, happy, funny, real!

Gary and I took John to the park last Sunday and had a wonderful time taking some possible senior pictures. John wanted to do this but pinning him down to a day and time was difficult. He was not happy about going that day but once we got there he did great and made it a fun experience. I am hoping to take the SD card somewhere this week and see what we can come up with.

Autumn is slipping away and the colder temps are setting in. I am still walking some days but alternating with doing my walk videos at home. I feel like this fall it has taken me forever to settle into a good routine but even with the craziness of Elle preparing to move I do feel some sense of routine at last. Thank you God!

This week:
~Mass at Galion St Joseph on Monday and a beautiful homily by Fr. Miller. I am really enjoying my Monday Mass at this beautiful little church.
~Election Day was a good day for the Republicans and especially those who value life!
~Gary worked 2nd shift Wednesday and Thursday  : (   I hate him being gone in the evenings but I did enjoy some time in the mornings with just he and I
~Wednesday evening I was reminded how nice it is to have the lights low and some nice quiet music playing after dinner clean up....note to self...remember to do this when possible
~Thursday 1st Reconciliation with my class. It was a beautiful evening with a potluck and then a communal service. I did not have a single student this year that was hesitant to go!What a precious gift to help these children prepare for the Sacrament and see the joy on their faces as they leave the confessional.
~Friday I started the day with an early morning Mass at St Michael in Worthington. It was a school Mass and it was exciting to see the school children nearly filled the church. In the past few years some of the Dominican Sisters of Mary out of Ann Arbor have been on staff at the school and I sense their presence has made a positive difference. Immediately following Mass they had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a Litany of the Sacred Heart and Benediction. What a beautiful way to start the day. My trip to Columbus was planned to have lunch with Debbie and Hillary LeMelle, and Elle and Colleen at LaChatelaine in Worthington. What a blessing to get together with friends after a long absence and realize 2 hours had passed without us realizing it and they had to get back to Springfield to pick up the "little" girls. Colleen, Elle, and I went into the little print shop in Worthington...what a treasure with their old fashion printing machines and lots of handmade posters, bookmarks, and other miscellaneous items. We topped off the day with some Graeter's ice cream. A bowl of Dark Chocolate and Carmel Gelato was my treat!
~Saturday: Thomas placed 1st in KATA (forms) and 3rd in Sparring in his very 1st Karate tournament. We stayed for all the events. It worked out we were able to be there for an older teen from his karate school who was there on his own and watch his event. John spent the afternoon at the tryouts for the school bowling team.
~Sunday... Mass and a belated All Saints Day parade around the classrooms with my second grade class this morning. Thomas made the decision not to tryout for the bowling team. Based on our discussion I think he thought it through and it was the right decision for him. I spent my Sunday "fun" time moving the desk Elle no longer wanted into the guest/craft room and began organizing my photo album supplies. I found myself fighting that feeling that I am wasting time. I think because I have let myself slip back into doing things on Sunday that while may not be "work" feel productive. Tonight John is at Life Teen in Marion and we just received a call that he made the bowling team. It was a very good weekend for the boys!