Wednesday we packed up the minivan, boarded the dogs and began the 12 hour journey back up to KC. Stopping at our usual place in West Memphis for the first night (4 hours into the trip). Lunch in St. Louis with good friends the next day (4 more hours) and then just 2 short hours to Columbia (Grandma and Grandpa's house!). I hadn't been to my dads house since the day we left for Alabama (literally). It felt so good to be there. So comforting and relaxing. I think E actually remembered being there (H was just 4 weeks old the last time). The kids settled in well, thankfully, and Grandma and Grandpa were getting ready for a weekend on their toes! They offered to watch E & H for the weekend, while Dr. M and I cleaned out Grandma K's house in KC. This was bittersweet for us. It was our first weekend kid-free together (since before E was born), but had so much to do and very little time... We got in to KC Friday night and spent the evening laughing with old friends (much needed). The next morning, after a quick trip to Panera, we started the massive job of cleaning out the house. Making piles of what we wanted and things to donate. GG and Aunt Kaps came up that afternoon to help and we really got a lot done! We spent Sunday doing the same thing...making hard decisions as we sorted through so many memories. I headed back to Columbia Sunday night (to relieve the grandparents) and Dr. M stayed to keep working. He met the movers the next morning, loaded the U-haul and met me in Columbia. The next day we stared our journey back down south...the kids and I in the van and Dr. M in the truck. We drove slow...and eventually made it home in time to meet the movers Friday morning, who helped unload all the beautiful antiques and family heirlooms from Grandma K's home. Everything seemed to fit so perfectly into our house and bring so much richness and comfort with it. It almost feels like Grandma K is here with us, among her things...like she's moved in and watching over all of us (just like she would have wanted to do). It was a crazy week, almost a blur....but it began with a boost of encouragement and support. Just before we left we received an amazing and generous gift from Grandma K. For the first time in our lives we are able to live debt-free! Truly a life-changing gift forever.
SO glad we have this van and DVD player!
Loungin' in the hotel, watching a little Dora.
Skipping rocks at Grandpa's lake...
Picnic at the park (Max too!).
Lunch at Schlafly (we miss Maplewood!).
Mother's Day! The kids made adorable handprint flower pots (at G and G's house) and Aunt Sarah sent me these beautiful Gerbers....my fave!
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