A week ago yesterday we left the wonderful heavenly land of Iowa and started our journey (a straight 26 hours in a car) back to Arizona. While the reason for our trip back home was not for happy reasons, we are ever so thankful we were there and got to spend so much quality time with family.
As we still miss and morn Grandma Hazel, in a way, the time she gave us with family, celebrating her life and remembering all of her love, was truly a blessing.
When we decided to leave for Iowa, it was a very quick decision. Jarrett had been out of the state for much the previous days and with the family giving us the updates that it was time to come back, we decided to go and left less than 24 hours later. We loaded up the car, and hit the road.
Here's Isabelle's reaction when I told her she had to sit in her car seat for 1740 miles. Yes, this was even before we had backed out of the driveway. For anyone who knows Isabelle, sitting still is NOT something she likes. So when we started thinking we might have to drive back to Iowa, one of the first things I did, was started praying. I prayed for God to have a safe trip,and I also prayed to God to make the trip bearable for Isabelle, which in turn would make it bearable for the rest of us.
While I worried and prayed, it turns out God answered my prayers, because the kids, all of them, even Isabelle, were wonderful. They never complained about how long the ride was and after outlawing the question, "Are we there yet?" less than 40 miles from home, the boys were satisfied by simply asking us what state we were in. There were some times when Isabelle asked, okay begged to get out, but popping in another movie or distracting her with snacks, seemed to work really well.
We said all rules were out the window on this trip, and that meant if the kids wanted sour cream and onion chips at 7:00 a.m, than that's what they were going to get. And they did.
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| Isabelle, just hanging out., yes that is still Kansas in the background. Man that is a LONG and BORING state. |
In the decision of leaving so quickly, we also made the decision to take Jack with us. He hadn't been feeling very well the week before we left and without knowing exactly when we were going to return, we just thought we'd take the whole crew. Jack insisted on sitting shot gun, THE ENTIRE WAY!
As we passed the hours by in the car, we played games, watched movies and to the kid's surprise we decided to have Christmas in July. Because I had so much extra time to pack up everyone, get school shopping done and close up the house, I decided the night before Jarrett got home that we'd give the kid's their Christmas presents from us on the way to Iowa. That way they'd have a few new toys to keep them busy and it would help make the time pass faster.
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Dad, was amazing and drove most of the way, allowing me to sit in the back with the kids to keep them entertained.
After 27 1/2 hours we arrived in Iowa at almost midnight on Sunday morning. The next morning after getting a few hours of sleep the kids enjoyed playing at Grandma and Grandpas.
One night during our stay, my family got together for dinner. Being that we are the only ones who live away, it is nice to spend as much time together as we possibly can. It has been a while since we took some family shots, so after dinner we decided to take some. We've changed a bit since the days when we were Gabriel and Michael's age. I'm the oldest and yes, still the shortest.
Of the 8 plus days we were in Iowa, we went to the most popular restaurant in our hometown almost every day. On the third day straight of going to Klunders, Michael finally asked, "Mom, why to we keep going to the same place?" I started laughing and said, "Michael, this is really the only place in our hometown we can go." He was shocked, looked back at me and said, "REALLY?" You could tell he continued to process the reality that I was telling him the truth throughout our entire breakfast.
One of the times we went to each at Klunders, the boys snapped this picture of them with Uncle Nolan. I love this picture of them!
Another big chunk of our time spend in Iowa was spent outdoors, enjoying the wonderful weather. We went to our favorite park in town where we got to spend time with Kat and Claire from Chicago. The kids LOVE playing with the girls
They spent a lot of time in the wheel barrel, one of the toys I remember loving as a kid too!
One night while we were there, we got to to to Waterloo to see MaeLyn and Arron's new house.
MaeLyn was working at the hospital til late so we went out for dinner first and then went to their house. Below is a shot from dinner, I think is funny.
On another trip to the park, Grandma rode the bus while Isabelle drove her to school.
One night the kids got to sit on Uncle Jonas' Harley. Its my hope, that this is the only motorcycle they ever ride. One parked comfortably in a safe location!
Back at the park, the family arrived in the day before Grandma Hazel's services, and many gathered at the park to say hi and catch up. Here's Dad with beautiful cousin Kat.
While he gives it a thumbs up...
Isabelle couldn't keep herself the right way up!
What we really fun for everyone, was that the kids got to play with their AZ cousins in Iowa. That has never happened before, so of course I had to insist on a few pictures. The kids wanted the merry-go-round as fast as it possibly could. When uncle Nolan thought he could fulfill the kids' wish, he ended up flying off the merry-go-round. Below is the action shot of him hitting the ground...
Getting to see family we don't always get to see was so nice, even though it was for sad circumstances. Here's a few pictures we took of the family while at the park.
The next day we had to say our final good bye's to Grandma Hazel. The service was held at the Church she attended as a child, the place she was married, and watched her children and grandchildren get married in. Being that almost the entire family was present, we decided to take a group shot on the steps of the church as we didn't know when the entire group would all be together again.
Like I said earlier, while we are very sad and miss Grandma Hazel so much, in a way I couldn't help but think, she was smiling down on us from Heaven, knowing we were all together. I know she would have LOVED that her family was all together.
Speaking of chickens, sadly the day we had to leave arrived but before heading out of town we had to go eat at the SAME restaurant with the big white chicken. Yes the same restaurant we had dined at daily. Isabelle demanded she get to ride the chicken. I'll love showing her this someday when she's 16.
After finally getting everything loaded up, we were off again. Our wonderful Aunt Donna and Uncle Rick packed us a goodie back with some snacks and drinks in it. The kids got their own juice drink and thought they were so cool!
I've decided driving across the country definitely had some perks. Yes there are some drawbacks, but driving 1700 miles gives you plenty of time to take in the landscape. And boy do we live in a beautiful country... Here's another picture at 4:30 a.m. I love the innocence, purity and beauty of the sun's first rays hitting the mountain countryside.
As we got closer to home the kids got a case of the sillies...
And we welcomed it.
As we pulled in the driveway, we thanked God for a safe trip, for the many memories we created on our trip and for getting to celebrate the wonderful life of Grandma Hazel.
While she is missed, we will be ever so grateful for the final gift she gave us. This trip will never be forgotten, just as she won't either.
Until next time,
Angie
