Trip to Missouri

This past week was pretty exhausting. I thought, last minute, to take the kids and drive to Missouri to visit my mom. My mom and I have had our issues, but I felt God's tugging to get them out there to visit with her. She is having surgery the beginning of August, and it had been 3 years since we had seen her. So, we packed up, and drove 12 hours to High Point, Missouri. My prayer was for a peaceful trip with lots of memories.

God blessed our trip abundantly!!! The kids got to meet my mom's new husband, Danny. They quickly warmed up and began calling him Grandpa. I think that would make my Dad really happy. It has been easier to accept Danny into the family because I know him. He lived in the town I grew up in, and I knew him as Bandit growing up. He was so good to the kids, and spent so much time playing with them. This gave my mom and I a lot of time to talk.

Danny took the kids fishing ALOT, and the boys had a blast. Ethan caught a blue gill, and a few catfish, and Isaac caught a catfish too! It was the boys' first time to go fishing and catch fish on their own. They are finally old enough to enjoy the sport. :) Grandma spent time with Elizabeth giving her a make-over, and lots of jewerly/make-up to take home. Elizabeth loves her new bag of goodies. David was a mama's boy, but he did warm up to Grandma and give her hugs and kisses. It was very hot during our visit, so we didn't get to do as much as we wanted, but I went and bought a small pool for the kids to play in. David really loved playing with my mom's German Shepard, Bud. Those too had a blast together. All-in-all it was a fantastic trip and the kids never wanted to leave. They had such a great time, and have memories that will last forever.

Next time we hope to get a trip in to the Ozarks...my mom lives less than 30 minutes to the Ozarks, and another trip out to Ruby's to ride the horses. In just over a week, we'll be heading back out on the road. This time Paul will be with, and we'll be headed to the Otto Family Reunion in Iowa to visit with family Paul hasn't seen since he was a child. We can't wait!!