Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Home safe and tired

We spent every minute that we could with Jessica the whole week we were there. It was precious time, and we tried to make it count. It was everything we hoped it would be, and still not enough. On Friday we took her out to dinner and then to see the Shaggy Dog. Afterwards, we had to say good-bye. It was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. We all kept hugging her goodbye, and we were all crying. I haven't been able to post about it because it is still so raw. It was so wonderful to see her, and we cannot wait to all be together again. I think it was good for all of us... I don't think it was just a reconnection, I feel like it was a strong bonding for all of us as a family. We cannot wait until June so we can see her again, and hopefully by then we will be able to all be together on a really regular basis. It was so wonderful to have had this time together.



On Thursday we went to the park again to take some new pictures. I have a lot of others on my SLR, but I can't get to those discs right now. I am just uploading some from my digital camera at the moment. The next time we are there, we want to get a really nice family photo where we are all wearing coordinating clothing!




There is very little to do in the town Jessica lives in. We drove around the historic downtown one day to see the old buildings and sites. Todd loved the "Superman phonebooth." We took the kids back to play at the park while we waited for Jessica to get out of school one day, and I caught this one of Jack and Beth on the slide.



On Saturday morning we headed up further into Arkansas to visit our good friends Billy and Johanna. We got to their house, and then took the kids into town to meet up with Billy for dinner. We were tired from the drive and the emotional week we just had, and I think having a chance to spend some time with such good friends was exactly what we needed at that moment. (I am sorry we didn't call yet, Johanna! Time got away from me today!)




On Sunday morning the kids had a blast playing in the mud with Sarah and Rachel while exploring Billy and Johanna's acreage.
!


Driving home was an ordeal of sorts. The kids did NOT want to get back in the truck for another 20 hour excursion. Mapquest gave us the wrong directions, so we ended up popping into Missouri for a few minutes before we could get turned around the right way. We drove through some high winds and thunderstorms that became a couple of tornadoes a few hours later. When we got into Oklahoma, there were wildfires that were making the air thick and hard to breathe. We pulled over for the night, and when we went through Texas the next morning there were still a lot of residual fires that we passed being brought under control. We crossed over into New Mexico and found piles of snow and the roads covered with a lot of black ice. We pulled over again for the night since it was so hard to see, and finished coming home today. Before we left this morning, I let the kids go out and play in the snow a little bit. It was funny to me that I had taken pictures of them making mudpies one day, and snowballs the next. Maybe I am just too tired... :0) We are so glad to be home safe and sound, and now that the crazy weather is behind us we are laughing about it. A tornado hasn't been in that area in 36 years, and the day we make an offer to buy a house there one makes an appearance!

I had an assignment due tonight, so right after we got home I got to work to get it done. I still have to pack and get all my paperwork for my job in order to leave tomorrow. I am heading up to Portland for the show. I am anticipating sleeping all the way to Oregon! :0) I am looking forward to seeing my friend, Sarah, and I am hoping she has her baby Elise tonight or tomorrow so I can see her too!

The page I made today will be up on Scrap Village in a day or two most likely. I used some of the photos I took of Jessica this week, and it was wonderful to scrap about her again using current photos! It will be in the City Planner feature if you want to check it out while I am gone!

Have a safe weekend! See you when I get back!

11 comments:

Johanna said...

I'm glad you're home safe, but I miss you already. It's chilly here again. They say "if you don't like the weather in Arkansas, stick around, it will change."

I knew I shouldn't have let you take that picture! Somehow I had a feeling it would end up here.

Have a good trip, and I hope you get some rest on the way. I can't wait to see you in Orlando!

Katrine said...

Wow! You've been busy! I'm glad you made it home safely.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you made it home safely. See you in Kansas next week!! xoxo Oh, and I'll bring the paper and stuff you left behind in San Jose. ;)

Hi my name is Marjorie said...

Love your new banner Jenn...what an exciting trip...and emotional I bet...glad your'e home safe and sound...

Anonymous said...

Please email me. Since you are moving to Arkansas we should get together. I am opeing a scrapbook store in just a few short weeks. Maybe you will be close to me!
Teresa Wilkins
Russellville, Arkansas

Anonymous said...

Oops, my email is tawilkins@cox.net
Teresa

Anonymous said...

Wow Jennifer-you guys had quite an adventure. And I bet you were pretty close to my neck of the woods. Glad you guys are home safe and sound. And I can't believe y'all (get used to hearing that) might move here!

Anonymous said...

Oops-last comment was from me! Cindy Curtis

Jennifer Stewart said...

Hey, Jenn! Your new banner is gorgeous. :)

So glad you had a safe and fun trip. Your photos are just great! Have a safe trip to Portland. I sure wish I was going!

Jennifer :)

Anonymous said...

Only just started to read you roller coaster story re your dd. Very emotional. Just loving your banner, gorgeous photo.

Jennie from UK x

Tracey Odachowski said...

I'm SOOOO happy that things went well for you! I hope you get in the house ok! Glad you made it home safely!