Just a blur

I shall try to apply myself to typing some form of comprehensible overview of our last few days... weeks? What has it even been? On this side of the "big plane to Ghana" ( as Maddie says) What will she really think of this whole deal? I feel for these sweet babies we are towing through the chaos. I'm thankful they are just this age. Not any younger. Not any older. I don't have a baby really. Even tho that's kinda something I don't want to admit to myself quite yet. My baby boy is now toddling Pell mell in one direction or another. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any volume other than extra loud, and his speed is either 0 or 100, nothing in-between. He is my cuddlebug tho. And he gives the smoochiest, slobberiest, sweetest kisses ever. My baby girl is rapidly becoming my companion. She rattles off such grownup phrases that I have to chuckle sometimes. She is a busy little person, but in a quiet (at least in comparison to her dear "bubby"), almost motherly way. She bustles around, busiily making "foods" for her babies, rocking, feeding, comforting, reading them stories, and covering them in kisses head to toe. Then she makes them little beds and hurries off to play with the kitties or "keen" . I hope she never loses her love of cleaning. She loves to paint. My little artist.

Oh I love these precious littles. They will keep me smiling even when the homesickness creeps in, I am sure.

Alaska.

So many have asked us how was Alaska?

Where you able to relax? 

It was amazing.  And yes. It was just what we needed. A breather. Laughter. Good food. The beauty of nature. Our children playing with their cousins. Absolutely lovely memories made.

And to answer the rest of you who are now wondering what alaska has to do with anything... Once upon a time.. no. I just simply can not do the full story, because what was going to be a quick update already has me quite sick of this phone screen. I can't wait to unpack my suitcases and reunite with my pen and paper. I digress. Robert's family (his parents, siblings, and of course their mates, along with the resulting offspring) SOMEHOW, after much stress, deliberation, and determination, (and possibly a few carefully selected, then cancelled b&bs at various locations) came to the conclusion that we really ought to just spend the money and do what we had always wanted to do. SEND IT! AND JUST GO TO ALASKA. We managed to all agree on houses and flights and budgets and all kinds of grown up things without any lasting damage to family relationships. This really is quite an accomplishment. We booked our tickets. Then we decided that we needed to put our names in for the mission. Little did we know we would end up leaving for ghana 1 week after returning from our long awaited trip. We got our house mostly cleaned out before we left with the help of some lifesaving friends and have now been "homeless" since the middle of August. 

We stayed a few nights in Jessie and Tasha's cabin, spent some time at Myron and Cheryls, then said goodbye to our fine red oak people. It was raining as we left myrons and I thought it was quite fitting.  It drizzled a bit , then the sun broke through, casting the most exquisite, other-worldly light on the canvas rushing past our windows.

Emerald green grass.

A patch of goldenrod.

A stand of burr oaks, how old must they be? 

An elegant two story house- whose dreams and hard work made it a reality? How many children have run through that door?

The contrast of freshly cut grass against the corn's towering height.

I will forever remember this picture God gave me when i think of leaving for the mission. Although my heart ached with the pang of separation, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. We were meant to be right here right now. God led us here.

 Scott City. We stayed at Grammy's house ( Carol ) and just soaked up our time there. My cousin Shayla got married to Jeremy Schultz on Sunday so we reaped the benifits of family being around. My little brother Ross (who is actually much bigger than me) flew in, and all my dad's siblings were out. We attended wedding activities but to be honest they were a bit of a blur, and we tried to focus on just being with my folks, sister, grammy, and Ross. Then Sunday we joined the dirks shabang and spent Monday with them as well.

Tuesday was supposed to start at 5:30, but due to my alarm not ringing, we started out an hour behind.

7:30 we pulled out onto the road. Now. On to Walmart to get our pickup order. The day was lovely. What could go wrong? I was so thankful i didnt need to go in and find all the right vitamins and cold medications and mosquito sprays and ice cube trays and plantar wart heel bandages and diapers and  alllll the daunting little things that i had pushed off until the last minute.

Oh how Satan must have been cackling.

The order was canceled.

My dear wonderful husband drove around with the children while I frantically tried to keep my wits about me and stay calm and also really hurry to find all these random things and not stress about how much it cost because it's all important stuff. You went through it yesterday tyrah. Yes. You need these vitamins. It doesn't matter that the price is unsettling. Four bottles. Now. Ummm. Allergy... where on earth are the rat tail combs? Brushs. Curly hair brushes. Curly hair comb. Wet hair comb. Wide tooth comb with random little teeth in-between the wide teeth. Flimsy Comb. Bulky Comb. Inbetweeny sized Comb with a hook end. RAT TAIL COMB???? ok. Not important.  Moving on. Mosquito spray. And I definitely need to get some..... ugh. Automotive. Too far. I'll just zip over here and.... nope. Not there. Wrong isle. And also. Wrong isle. It gotta be this one.... tents. Chairs. Blob. Grey thing. Not insect atuff... water bott-OH! there.  Goodness. So many. Do I really need this. yes ty. We've been through this. You need it. OK. This. And this. And this. Uhhh. No not that one. Definitely this one. OK. Now. Next. It's OK. Just caaaallllmmm down. Check your walmart pickup order. What's left.

Oh it felt like forever. I know. This seems menial. And it's kinda funny. And I knew that. And I tried to laugh about it but I ended up just settling for trying not to cry.

Robert met me at checkout. A baby on each arm. I felt sorry for all three. I don't think he had much more fun than me.

Then on to Lakin. A quick stop so robert could run into ems for a see you in five years exchange. Coffeehouse. It would be short on time. Oh well. At least it worked. On to folks for lunch. Granny's in monte. Then on to Josh's.  Supper. Yum. Flowers. Pretty.  Baby goats. Would they allow one as a personal item at checkin? Jam the stuff floating around the vehicle in bags. Not that one... it's 49!? pounds we have to take something out so we have wiggle room. Or wait. Now it says 46. Is the scale faulty? It will be fine. This has to be in the diaperbag.. this. Uh.. that bag was 43 pounds right?

"Oh. Yes. The kids clothes are there. Thanks." Oh I'm glad they are doing baths.... this. There. Ugh. Can I just throw this all away? Almost done. " Ivan? Umm. Sure. Milk is there in the carquest bag."  And. Back to it. And finally done.

And  we collapsed into bed. Eventually.  After showers and malaria pills and more goodbyes and maddie cuddles and "pay?" What about? Shy little grin.. " beby goats?" Of course, honey.

And I finished typing this. If this is finished.

So. We leave here way too soon so i must sleep. Here is our flight information..