Kansas Trip Part 2

November 25, 2020

We woke up to snow. Strong winds stopped at about 1:00 am. We stayed the morning inside cozy and warm while Jacob made us all breakfast. Moments like these are to be taken in their fullness. Anything that evokes a sense of coziness are some of the moments I look forward to in life. 

After we had breakfast and lunch we visited Greensburg's museum. Here we learned a bit of the town's history especially of the infamous  F5 tornado and the devastation it left behind.

The aftermath of the chaotic tornado caused people to leave but others stayed and rebuild.

There's a cute nostalgic ice cream parlor just before one enters the town's museum. My husband and his parents love sweets so naturally we stopped for some ice cream scoops. The library is just across the hallway. I was surprised that it's a decent size library for such a small town. I wish I would have had the time to browse.

Being here visiting family made us realize how much we cherish the power of family bonds and God's abundant blessings. Being intentional with family is what life is truly about ... creating memories.

After we had our ice cream we stopped by the town's water tower, the Big Well. The water tower was also destroyed as were most of the buildings during the May 4, 2007 tornado. It since has been rebuilt and showcases pictures of that fateful night.

This well is the world's largest hand-dug well, built in 1887. The well survived the event and remains a central attraction.

Here we are at the very top of the tower.

... here we are looking down at the well.

And here's us looking up.

It was quite an informative day. We enjoyed learning all the town's history and browsing their souvenirs.

THANKSGIVING 2020

The snow didn't stick around for long. The following day we walked over to the park to stretch our legs. Surprisingly it wasn't windy but mostly sunny and cold.

A father is respected because he gives his children leadership .... Appreciated because he gives his children care .... Valued because he gives his children time .... Loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure most -- himself.

After the park we were chilled to the bone so we got cozy on the couch and enjoyed the rest of our slow afternoon waiting for the turkey to be ready.

Now that I look back, I just realized I hardly took any pictures of the day. 

This was Riley's serving. One green bean, lol! I don't have a picture of my plate or of the kitchen with all the delicious food. 

I am sure we had some type of dessert. I just can't remember what it was.

I "borrowed" this picture from my MIL. This is the only picture that was taken of all of us on this Thanksgiving day. 

We are thankful that we got to spend Thanksgiving with family. Ultimately, it is not about the food but the gathering in love and worship for all that has been given to us.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give

thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

(Not so) Scenic Drive to Eastern Washington

May 2, 2020

A cloudy sky in the beginning of May. How cool is that?!

This was our first time visiting Wenatchee. Eastern WA is so different than Western WA. It's flat and dry with an average of 300 days of sunshine. 

There really wasn't much to photograph. No scenic stops but I did enjoy seeing farmland and the cloudy sky gave everything depth. Because of the pandemic this town was like a ghost town. 

We stopped by the Pybus Public Market that's located next to the Columbia River. Again, almost all the vendors in the marketplace were shut down, only a few were open, but they had very little goods. During normal times this place would have been bursting with locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers, restaurants, WA wines, and more. We left pretty quickly though since there was nothing to see or do.  

We also drove through Lake Chelan. 

I'm sure it would be fun kayaking here.

It was neat experiencing different types of weather one state can have. I'm glad I lived in Western Washington though. 

On the drive back home we drove through Stevens Pass. There was still snow and it was raining. It's such a pretty drive.

Driving through here made me happy. It was raining hard though, a bit nerve-wracking when you can't see the road that clearly. Thankfully, it didn't last long. 

I enjoy going on day drives so much. It helps keep one's mind stimulated. It also makes life fun by having something to look forward to and in the process new memories are created.

Life is much more than physical existence.

Fun Moments to Remember

November 2019

Seeing the beauty around you is something that doesn't come naturally for some people but for me it does. I've always been a very observant person. Stepping outside in Autumn is so enchanting. Everyone has that one special thing that makes them smile and makes them feel completely utterly happy ... well, Autumn is that one thing for me (along with a good rain or wind storm).

I didn't grow up enjoying root beer floats. That's really not a thing in a Mexican household but Jacob had them and so I wanted Riley to try one and I wanted to try one too. We went to Triple XXX Root Beer Drive-In. Goodness, the root beer floats are huge and the one we got was the smallest of the two sizes they have. Riley loved it (as you can see). I enjoyed it as well but I don't think I can finish one by myself.

We invited my in-laws and they enjoyed it as well.

I love the special bond Jacob and Riley have. I am so grateful that Riley has a good role model in his dad. Someone who'll teach Riley how to be traditionally masculine and teach him the ways of the Lord.

Good dad's are extremely important in their children's life especially for boys.

At my in-laws celebrating my mother in laws birthday. I'm grateful that we got to spend this special time together. And the chocolate cake was very good.

Late November is a good time to visit fun indoor places like the Aquarium. We always enjoy our time here, we just try to visit during the cold months when it's less busy.

Heading over to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get a delicious caramel apple.

So good!!

Took a different way home. I like driving across this floating bridge and seeing the pretty houses with large lawns that sit near the waters edge. Plus, it's kind of cool being so low to the water as one drives in the middle of it. 

It's pretty cool when we get to drive only about 45 minutes East and see snow.

The family should be a close knit group. The home should be a self-contained

shelter of security; a kind of school where life's basic lessons are taught; and a kind of

church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple 

pleasures and enjoyed.

Snow Day for Days

February 2019

We had snow for the entire first week of February. The first snow is always very exciting. One doesn't mind being hunkered down and cozy at home but by day 2 I'm already over the cold white stuff then apprehension hits when I know I have to drive out in it. I lived in TX and we went through a few harsh winters so I have experienced driving in hazardous conditions. Nerve-wracking!

It does look pretty doesn't it?

A few of those days Riley had late start. It began to snow again just before school released for the day.

Sydna works in Bellevue which is 30/40 minutes North of home, depending on traffic and during these hazardous conditions I can't help but be concerned for her safety. It's a relief once we're all home safe. By the time she got home the driveway was covered in snow so we had Nathan clear it out for her since it slopes a bit and she would have slid backwards.

By nightfall everything was covered in snow.

It's always fun for kids to shovel snow ... not so much for the adult back there. We could never live in Northern NY. No doubt we would hate it.

Our street gets pretty bad when it snows or ices over because we live on a hill and that makes driving or even walking very dangerous. However, once you make it out of our street the main streets are usually fine. After being stuck at home for several days we headed out to grab some lunch. When it comes to food we're known to go to great distances or brave bad weather for it. We take quality food very seriously, lol!

Carne Asada tacos ... ridiculously delicious!!

Once the snow stopped it took about five days for the snow to melt. Church was even cancelled. Unheard of (fast forward to March, April, May/2020 to where we are currently living this ridiculous nightmare called Covid-19 which was created in Wuhan China and the Democrats and media causing panic and still reporting Fake News. Small businesses are closed, malls are closed, dentists, beaches, state parks and playgrounds. Ridiculous! Nothing they are doing makes any sense! And it's the Governors that are acting like tyrants. Open America now!!!)

Snowy nights are cozy though. Cold weather is perfect to cozy up on the couch or in bed at night with a good book ... but it sure makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

What good is the warmth of summer 

without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.