Hi, Everyone! I hope you all have had a good start to your week. We had Fall Break at the end of last week and beginning of this week, so we've been trying to get back into the swing of "normal" life around here. We didn't do anything too crazy for Fall Break, but I do want to share about some of our Fall Break fun!
For the past few years, the children have gotten Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off of school for Fall Break, and that's exactly how I remember it being when I was in college and working for a college. This year, however, it was different as they got Thursday, Friday, and Monday off from school. It honestly didn't make much of a difference to us, but I do think having Monday off has made it a little harder to jump back into our regular routine.
We've spent Fall Break in Missouri with my parents during the last several years, so we decided to do that again this year. Chris went ahead a worked *almost* a full day on Thursday, and he took Brenson to the office with him so they could get haircuts together during his lunch break. While they were gone, the girls and I all worked hard to get everyone packed and ready for our trip. Chris sent me this pic of the paper chain and sign Bren made for his office. The sign says STOP, haha.
Chris and Bren got home around 4:00pm, and we left for Missouri almost immediately. We got to Mom and Dad's in time to enjoy a tasty dinner and visit for just a bit before bed.
I'll go ahead and say now that I wasn't great about taking photos on our trip. Sometimes, I try to focus less on capturing moments and more on being present in them, and this was definitely one of those times.
Friday morning, most of us had a leisurely start to the day (Dad had to work). However, G-Jo did have a small little cooking project to do, and the little girls couldn't wait to help her! They were seriously just SO excited to be at Grampy and G-Jo's house that it didn't matter what we did!
Making a pie with G-Jo
While on break, Bren had a couple of school projects to work on. One project was taking some photos with Flat Stanley and writing a letter about his adventures. Bren decided he wanted Flat Stanley to go to school with Grampy and take a photo with the students.
After visiting school, Flat Stanley went to G-Jo's work for a photo. G-Jo was off this day, but she generously took Bren up to her place of employment (and even wore her scrubs) to help with the Flat Stanley project!
After some play time and relaxation that afternoon, Chris and I escaped to go on a date to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. We went pretty early so we didn't have to be out late, and even got in on the early bird special at the Hibachi grill we went to, haha! We also got coffee, did some shopping, and just enjoyed an evening of uninterrupted talking and spending time together.
On Saturday, Mom, Bri, and I left the house fairly early to do a little shopping. We were able to go to all the stores we wanted to before lunch . . . I'd call that a win!
While we were shopping, Dad, Chris, Bren, Brooke, and Brecks went on a walk.
Brecklyn, Brooke, Grampy
We all met at McDonald's for lunch, then went to a nearby park to let the kids play for a while.
Brecklyn
Bri
Brenson, Grampy, and Brooke
We were aiming for an early bedtime that evening because we had to get up early the next morning, so we headed back to Grampy and G-Jo's after playing at the park. We really didn't have many plans or activities, and it was a nice change! Sometimes when we visit, it feels like we go-go-go.
That evening, Grampy was reading to the girls before bedtime, and it was a pretty sweet time.
The reason we had to get up early the next morning (Sunday) was because Grampy was beginning a Gospel Meeting in Harrisonville, Missouri, and we all traveled with him up there. It was about 2 1/2 hours from where Grampy and G-Jo currently live to Harrisonville, plus we had to have all our luggage and stuff packed up as we left from Harrisonville to drive home. Back in the early '90s, my family actually lived in Harrisonville for three years while Dad was the preacher for the church there. I was in middle school while we lived there, and I have great memories from that time in my life. Dad really wanted us to come with him for the start of his meeting, but I was also excited to go back to a place that was once my home.
The church where Dad was preaching the meeting was the same congregation where we were members when we lived there. It was fun to show the kids around the building and introduce them to a few families that are still members of that church. It was quite a morning after driving for 2 1/2 hours to get there, having class and worship, a luncheon, then having another worship service immediately following the luncheon. However, the kids did great! I was very happy with their behavior.
After the afternoon service was over, we drove into town and looked around for a bit. We took Flat Stanley to see the town square and courthouse,
and went by the middle school I attended when I lived there!
We also drove by the house I lived in, but by the time we got there the kids were all asleep. Brianna had actually not been feeling good at all the whole morning and had even had a fever. She rested the whole way home and couldn't wait to get in bed. For this reason, I was thankful that she didn't have school on Monday!
We saw an incredible sunset as we were driving into Oklahoma, welcoming us back home.
Revisiting a place that holds so many memories for me always makes me feel a little melancholy. I was glad we went, but I'm not always sure what to do with all the emotions and memories.
Our Fall Break was really nice this year, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to leave town for a few days. Now, it's back to the grind!
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