Still soaked in the wake of the joy of last week, I'm here to share my trip!
Travel Tuesday!
Raegan, Anabelle, Danni, and I flew the 6 hours from Kona to Seatac together on a Tuesday, and aside from a few moments near the end, it went very well. Danni blows my mind. We had to say goodbye for now to our sweet nanny, as she was needed back in Tacoma on Doctors orders. So, suitcases all around, and tear drops falling, we said "bye for now" on the Arrivals sidewalk outside of baggage claim.
Whirlwind Wednesday!
Since departing for YWAM just after Christmas, this was the first time I'd stepped foot in our home or hugged my friends in 7 months. And I had one day. We are renting to one of my best friends' twin sister and her amazing family! How small does this world get at times? I underestimated how emotional this day might be. Turns out, it was incredibly wonderful, and incredibly difficult all at once. It smelled like my house, but with somebody else's candle and soap choices weaved in. It looked like my house, yet it was full of another families belongings. It was packed with the same best friends running around, but I didn't know the answer when they asked where to find the cups. It was bizarre. Yet so comforting and so fun.
When we left Washington, we thought we'd be back. So we threw everything we own into our office/storage unit out back and locked the door. It didn't take us long to realize we were made for this, we love traveling, and we wouldn't return long term. But that left a HUGE mess behind. So my parents are rockstars. They've been loading up our stuff one car at a time over that past months in an effort to empty the room. It's getting there!
I was so overwhelmed by the love and service everyone showed me that day. My dad packed up the car, my mom played with the kids, my friends made food, held kids, talked, listened, and cried when it was over. It was like a big hug of a day- how loved am I. THANK YOU!!!
Casey, Candace, Susanne, and I with all of our kids (sweet Baby Elliott was snoozing away in his car seat and opted out of the photo)
My sweet Susanne and her new baby Elliott!
Thankful Thursday!
Raegan went home with Gramma for the sleepover of a life-time, and I joined my dad with Anabelle for wedding week in Minnesota! My dear cousin, Tiffany was about to tie the knot to an awesome guy named Robert, and it was a big ol' family reunion!
Anabelle getting juice at the airport, ready to fly again!
My cousin Liesl and I at family dinner, fresh off the airplane.
Anabelle fell asleep in the car, so I unbuckled the whole carseat and carried it right into the restaurant. Big sister didn't quite do things like this as a toddler, but this second child took a nice little nap, nuzzled between the tables...
Ol' Friend Friday!
At lunch with a great friend of my dads from his college days at Purdue.
And back in Ellensburg, Raegan played with Ava, the daugther of my old friend, Megan!
We stayed at White Bear Lodge, and Anabelle loved the bears everywhere. Her animal sounds still mostly all sounds like monkeys, but we're working on it...
And on to the wedding rehearsal and pizza dinner! Anabelle made fast friends with the flower girls, who turned out to be quite the dancers as well. They kept each other company all weekend.
Here's my uncle Dave giving the groom a big hug as he pretends to give away my cousin.
Ceremony Saturday!
My dad cared for Anabelle much of the wedding day, so I was able to do my part in the wedding. Cousin Matt accompanied on guitar as I sang "The Wedding Song" during the couples lighting of the unity candle. I almost made it through the entire thing. As I was finishing up the tag at the end, Tiffany peaked over from her spot as the bride and teared filled my eyes- what a joyous day to celebrate!
All 7 cousins! (Plus Robert!)
Tiffany chose purple in honor of her monther, my Aunt Ruth. It was her signature color! So all the bridesmaid wore purple, the guests were asked to wear purple, the flowers, programs, and cake had purple. It was a sea of purple-
On the table at the reception were these photo cards, telling guests that instead of party favors, a donation had been made in Ruth's honor. Beautiful.
Scorching Sunday!
Nearly 100 degrees out, the Minnesota humidity rolled in thick for the Twins game. Some family traveled home, and some of us hit Target Field. It was Anabelle's first baseball game, and she enjoyed it so much, she even fell asleep in the stroller. She was such a trooper on this entire trip.
Mommy Monday!
We hopped the plane back to Seatac, where we all reunited, and Raegan was excited to tell me all about "Gramma Camp"- her amazing weekend with Gramma.
I've got the best parents in the world. I feel so blessed.
Thank you for the most wonderful time.
Triumphant Tuesday!
When I was pregnant with Anabelle, Raegan and I flew alone, but that was the last time I'd traveled without an adult companion. Until Tuesday. TWO kids. ONE mommy. SIX hours. I felt like supermom. Thankfully I found favor with the ticket agent, and although they were also juggling stand-bys, she still somehow arranged to put us in the last row, all to ourselves! So, with 3 seats, we made our way home. And we actually had some fun!
My helpers, blazing by in the airport!
And as soon as we got home, we jumped back into the "Circuit Riders" training school we are staffing right now. It has been a very memorable summer thus far, and it's only the middle!
Love to all my old friends and new friends and my amazing family.
