Kansas Trip Part 1

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Visiting my in-laws in Greensburg Kansas for Thanksgiving.

Our flight to Denver was set to take off at 7:50 am. I woke up a few minutes before my alarm went off at 4:25 am. Even if I'm all prepared for a trip, it always feels so chaotic to me. If it was up to me, I would take my time doing all the extra stuff that needs to be done and not have to speed through every task. I had to make sure the cats things were in order, all our treats/snacks properly stored and placed in my duffel. By the time I'm done getting ready and doing everything else I am hot. I don't like to get hot, so it felt so good to step out in the cold. We left the house by 5:35 am. Our son Nathan drove us to the airport. He was tired. Poor guy had worked the night before and had to wake up early.

There was a light sprinkle as we headed to the airport. 

I always overpack. I'd rather be prepared for any type of weather or in case I get dirty, so when it was time to weigh my suitcase, it went over by 3 lbs. So, I had to take out about three clothing items and put them in my duffel. And why is it that airports bring out the worst in some people. People just cutting you off or bumping you. There are a lot of rude people out there. It is never right to treat people mean no matter what you're going through in life. 

I like to get the window seat only because there's more room. I always pull down the shade. I really don't like to look out the window initially. 

Jacob likes to get the isle seat. As long as these two are snacking they are content.

Me, on the other hand I have to concentrate on keeping myself busy during a flight. I'm not keen to flying so I make sure I bring my headphones, something to read, and a word search to help pass the time.

My ears kept popping and I felt a lot of pressure in my nose this time. It was quite uncomfortable. There was slight turbulence which seemed similar to going off-roading, lol. My head also felt a little weird. I definitely was looking forward to the landing.

We landed in Denver at 11:20 am, rented a van and headed East.

I don't like to be in a plane for longer than two/three hours. That's the reason we landed in Denver. Besides, a road trip is more fun and relaxing. Given that we were in the middle of the pandemic Denver was on lockdown so dining in was out of the question. No matter. Eating in the car isn't so bad. Plus, we get to listen to our choice of music.

It may be nothing but hay fields and wind turbines but I prefer this over flying 100 percent!

We stopped in Kennedy Colorado to pick up a ham at the Honey Baked Ham Company for Thanksgiving. We also got some dunkin donuts. 

We saw geese flying. I love their honking sound. Their silly comical calls make me smile every time.

We crossed over to Kansas at 7:57 pm. It was my turn to drive so Jacob could take a break. We stayed in Colby, KS for the night.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Didn't really get good sleep but we were ready for the day. Up, ready, and back on the road by 10:50 am.             ☺☺ Kansas is as flat as a pancake. ☺☺

We saw cows, hawks and sheep. I love seeing farm animals and birds! They are so lovely.

These tiny towns you drive through are quite bizarre. We didn't see not one human, cat or dog when we drove through Cimarron Kansas.

We stopped in Dodge City in time for lunch. Tacos Jalisco has pretty decent Mexican food. This was our first time eating here. We'll definitely come back whenever we're in the area. It was nice to see that they weren't sticklers when it came to wearing masks.

We arrived at the in-laws at 4:12 pm. It felt good to finally be able to relax and to take things slow again.

My in-laws have been enjoying living in their little town in Kansas. Although Kansas is a blue state as well, these small rural towns tend to be conservative, and they are definitely liking that.

In 2007 Greensburg was devastated by a horrific F-5 tornado that wiped out 95% of the town killing 12 people and injuring 63.

Most of the people left but some stuck around and began to rebuild. It's a cute small town. We like it a lot. We feel it's such a peaceful town. Everything is within walking distance if you don't mind walking. They even have a decent size library, an ice cream shop (very nostalgic looking) a small grocery store, and a hospital, among other small businesses. 

Here is my father in law showing us their storm shelter.

In laws graciously treated us to pizza for dinner then we went back to their place to wind down. So blessed that they have a guest room that has a full bathroom even if it's a tiny one. This makes for a much more comfortable stay.

Monday, November 23, 2020

They're into puzzles so that's what Jacob did for a while. I brought books and my journaling things to keep me occupied as well. Journaling tidbits of uplifting information brings me so much joy.

Riley missed several days of school, so he made sure to get online whenever possible to complete his work.

My father in law also plays the guitar so Jacob kept himself busy with that too.

Driving to the next town over takes us about thirty minutes. That's where the nearest Walmart is located and several food chain restaurants whoever it's still a small town but way bigger than the little town where my in-laws live. 

There are fields of cotton along the way.

Lots of cotton.

Being at my in-laws house was always relaxing. Life is slower there. Small towns offer comfort and that small pleasant environment. For me, this type of lifestyle (the slower lifestyle) makes me so much more aware of my blessings. You tend to live more intentionally. The scent in the air and sounds are more pronounced out in the country since you're away from all that city noise.

While we were here for Thanksgiving, we also celebrated my MIL's birthday.

After dinner and cake there was more guitar playing. I love the way Riley is looking at his dad, with so much love and admiration.

Will continue our Kansas trip in my next post. Just thought I would break it up in three posts because I wanted to share quite a bit of pictures to and from our trip.

Nathan Turns 20

September 2020

Nathan, my middle child. He's responsible, kind, and a hard-working young man. He's always had a quiet demeanor maybe that's why he was easy-going and respectful when he was a child. He was very obedient and enjoyed playing with his toys/cards and liked to read.

Now that he's a young adult he spends most of his day at work and at the gym.

It baffles me on how much Sydna and Nathan have changed from when they were kids. Also, they've been told that they look like they could be twins. I can see that. I can also see myself in both of them especially in Nathan. 

Nathan has favored the chocolate chip cookie cake for years now instead of a regular cake for his birthday. 

This picture makes me happy. I love them all so much. (Missing my two angel babies. The 'What could have been' thoughts surface every now and then still. I hope they never stop.)

Such a sweet moment. I love it! They are ten years apart and they look so different from one another. Riley looks up to his big brother though. He wanted to get Nathan one of his favorite candy, M & M's. He bought it with his own money. What an endearing gesture. 

Nathan, in a single moment in time, you can make a decision that affects your entire life. So, live your life wisely. 

When you don't know what to do, when you don't know the answer, you need to pray. Go to God in prayer and ask Him to help you make the right decision.

You are capable of more than you know. You are the right one to handle

your life. And, you are never alone in your journey.

We love you!

Tamale Making and Cookie Baking

It is tradition in many Hispanic households to make tamales for Christmas. I remember watching my mom make them every Christmas when I was a child. She would make about two hundred when it was our turn to host Christmas Eve dinner (that's another thing Hispanic families do, we gather on the 24th and open presents at midnight).

In my family everything is scaled down a lot! It's just us living in WA so we tend to celebrate more on an intimate level consisting of us and two of our children that like tamales. Riley doesn't eat them.

I've eaten tamales with no vegetables in them but my mom would make them differently. She would add a green olive, a slice of jalapeño and a slice of potato. That's how I continue to make them except I use black olives. I believe this was our second time making them and although they came out decent they weren't great, not like Mom's. It was the masa. It needed more salt and needed to be softer which means I didn't add enough lard. At least I know where the problem is that way next time we make them we know where to focus on.

Sophie ever so cute wearing her Christmas collar. She really does like it because she doesn't try to take it off or bite it. 

I've been blogging for a while now. Gosh, I think I started when we moved to Tucson which was thirteen years ago. Crazy! I especially enjoy blogging when it's cold and cloudy outside because I like to put on a good movie and get cozy on the couch. One of the cats is always bound to be laying next to me. Just a perfect combination.

As I'm reading back on my agenda to help aid with my blogging I can't help but get melancholy about what I was experiencing back almost three years ago. On Dec. 20th I wrote, " It rained all night long and hard too. Rain kept hitting the windows. I love falling asleep to rain".    - how cozy does that sound!

Later that same day Jacob and I decided to start a new family tradition, cookie baking! Like baking more than just one cookie. For our first year we chose to bake three different cookies.

They were; Pumpkin-Praline with brown butter icing, Minty Chip Chocolate, and imitating Hello Robins Mackles'more cookie.

For the record. I help prep but Jacob is the baker in the family. Maybe one day I'll start baking myself.

Riley's such a willing helper ... only because he would sneak chocolate dough bites every now and then, lol! He looks a lot like Nathan when he was this age.

And here are the cookies. They were all sooo good but we definitely made too many. Even after gifting some away we still had a good amount of cookies left.

It was fun making different varieties of cookies. Looking forward to next years cookie baking.

Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.

Riley Turns 9

 December 7th, 2019

Every birthday my parents will call the birthday person and sing Happy Birthday in it's entirety. So, Riley was just listening to them sing. Funny. This is definitely a sweet memory to have of them.

He wanted to spend the day at Family Fun Center. His older siblings came along too. 

After he had his fill of arcade games we walked over to the bowling alley. He's got the moves down and everything .... looking like a pro.

Cute!

But as usual, Jacob ends up winning 98% of the time. He's so competitive. He didn't even let the birthday boy take the lead.

Riley also wanted to go to Red Robin for dinner. Once home we sang Happy Birthday and had some yummy Baskin Robins ice cream cake. 

My parents birthday card to Riley arrived two days late. I also took video and it was so funny seeing him freak out when he saw all the dollar bills my parents gave him. My parents do spoil our kids on their birthday. They give them more money than they give me. Lol. I think it's funny. I really wish they wouldn't spend so much money on us and I've told them many times too but they say that they are glad to do it. They say that there's nothing they need might as well spend money on their grandchildren. Well, if spoiling them makes my parents happy as well then so be it.

                Thanked God for blessing Riley with another year of life. We're thankful and grateful.

Feeling Like Fall

2018
By the beginning of September the weather had cooled and it began to feel like Fall. It seemed like Fall was itching to make itself be seen and felt and I totally welcomed it.

To acknowledge this fact we spent the day outdoors and this time we brought my in-laws along. We had lunch in Issaquah and then visited the hatchery. This one is on the smaller scale but it's always interesting seeing the salmon swim upstream. Such hard work and sad since salmon die during or shortly after they're done spawning. But, it is what it is.

A fallen leaf on the ground adds beauty to it. I just get so giddy when I see signs of Fall. I truly love it and it makes me so happy especially when I feel the crisp cool air on my face and the smell of firewood burning or the smell of hay and wet earth. All this just screams cozy and comfort to me. And the best part of it all is all these scents and the cool Fall air are given to us at no price by our Creator. It's just wonderful!!

One of the pumpkin patches we go to each year has their annual corn festival in September and we make sure to go to it because Bob's roasted corn is so delicious. It's crisp and sweet. Oh my gosh I can't wait to go back. We also bought corn to take home with us.
Jacob and his dad

Even Riley requests his own roasted sweet corn.

They have several activities for the kids. This time we had Riley participate on shucking some corn, lol.
Growing up I would visit my grandfather's ranch and I often played around the cornstalks. My mom would pick corn and had me shuck them but I didn't like doing it because I would often find a caterpillar in the corn. That always freaked me out and that's probably why I detest anything that crawls or slithers. I'm not afraid of them I'm just disgusted by them, repulsed.

Poor Riley had no clue how to shuck. As you can see he was holding the corn the wrong way and trying to shuck it that way. Good thing Jacob helped him out.

I had to make a quick stop at Panera to get a baguette and once inside my car I saw super dark grey clouds. I remember it rained very hard and even thundered three times! That's big news here since thunder is quite uncommon. Once the rain diminished I rolled down my window and drove home with a constant smirk on my face, lol!

It rained on and off and once home I noticed that even Sophie was sitting next to the window and was taking it all in.

Going to craft stores in September is fun because of all the Fall and Halloween decorations. I think I've accumulated a nice collection of Halloween decorations so for next year I will try not to buy much but I do need more Fall decorations however. I do tend to buy the neutral tones though. Too many bright colors just screams chaos to me and I definitely don't like clutter so I have to plan accordingly.

There is a quiet beauty found in nature when it rains.

Summer 2018 Road Trip - Day 8 & 9

July 6, 2018 - Friday

Anxious to head back home. We left the hotel at 9:20 am. We left Santa Cruz just in time before the weather got too warm.

It was around this time when Riley began to listen to Michael Jackson non stop so when we decided to take a break from MJ's music Riley wasn't too happy .

Stopped in Fairfield ... If it wasn't for the boys we wouldn't need to stop for potty breaks every two hours. They must have a bladder the size of an infants.
About 40 minutes later we stopped in Dunnigan for lunch. Just before leaving Santa Cruz we stopped by the grocery store and picked up a few lunch items for our trip back. I made turkey avocado sandwiches and ate them with chips and root beer, yum. Sometimes a picnic can be more delicious than eating out.

I helped with driving for a bit. I'm more of the sightseeing type driver so obviously when I take the wheel I tend to go slower and at times I pull over to take in the view. Jacob's probably not too thrilled about it but since he needs to rest his eyes he doesn't complain.

After driving for almost three hours we pulled over at the rest area in Weed. It was 84 degrees by 4:09 pm. Jacob and Riley threw the frisbee around for a bit to exercise their legs.

Shortly after Weed we came upon the Klamathon Fire which extended from Northern California into the Southern Oregon border, scorching 38,000 acres. A 32 year old man was arrested on suspicion of recklessly burning debris which spread and caused the Klamathon fire.

It's always sad to see all the destruction and knowing that wildlife was affected as well.

It was very cool to see a firefighting helicopter dropping water on to the burning brush and trees. At one point Riley rolled down his window and the smoke immediately came inside the car. Not smart! You know he got an earful.

Thankfully firefighters were able to save this barn structure. Pretty cool indeed!

By 6:00 pm we were in Medford Oregon and had dinner at Jaspers Cafe. They serve classic and exotic meat burgers (buffalo, boar, elk, red deer, camel) plus hot dogs and shakes! And of course, we had to stop at McDonald's to get Riley some chicken nuggets because for some crazy reason this kid doesn't like hamburgers.

We stayed the night in Medford.


July 7, 2018 - Saturday

Woke up with a bit of a back ache. We had breakfast at Buttercloud Bakery & Cafe. The bacon and eggs were fine but I'm not particularly fond of French press coffee (besides, I read that drinking coffee this way is unhealthy because the filter doesn't filter out the cafestol. Cafestol is a substance that causes the body's LDL levels to rise).

We did more driving, very uneventful which is good, that means that nothing bad happened. Praise God!

At 2:40 pm we stopped in Tualatin for a late lunch at Cracker Barrel. There's always something good on the menu here but by the time we're done with our food we're too full to indulge in dessert.

Whenever we're on a road trip and we're about an hour from home one can't help but get excited! We finally arrived home at 7:40 pm.
So thankful and grateful for God's protection and for God's provisions.

And aside from missing my kids, I also missed this girl right here! She missed me too. She laid on the bed the whole time I was unpacking. So cute!!!

Well, this is the end of our 2018 Summer Road Trip. I hope you enjoyed all that I shared and hope you get to visit some of these locations at some point.

Find the good and praise God for it.