summer vacation: homeward

Our long vacation came to a close on Monday, July 7. The night before, as I stood in the kitchen of some second cousins, I found myself in tears. We had just journeyed back to civilization after the last day on the farm, everyone piled into their house, exhausted, not wanting to move, not wanting to be the first to say good-bye. And I certainly didn't want to start the process, but our littles were tired and admittedly, so were we. The drive back home awaited us the following morning. It was time.

You see, it's just that these people are so darn special. Every hug brought the lump further up my throat until I got to one of my mom's cousins and the lump changed to blurry eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

Get over it, you're thinking, it's every three years! How can you be so choked up with these distant relatives?!

I don't know.

What I do know is that when we see each other, there's a familiarity that never leaves despite the space in time. I've done this reunion 13 consecutive times, since I was months old. When you grow up with such value based on one particular event, you just. show. up. You do. For two days, you hug with sincerity. You settle in. You invest. And you find yourself eager to do it all over again.

And we will. Our family photo never remains the same, but that's part of the connection, part of the bond. We've shared this journey, this thing we call family. You can bet that I'll do whatever it takes to continue the ride.

Monday morning: so long for now, Missouri.

summer vacation: Friedheim reunion

Every three years, the family of my maternal grandpa gathers in the small place that is Friedheim, Missouri. I've blogged about this special weekend before (here, here and here), and am happy that I get to do it again this year.


















The house in which my Papa was born is still in the family, but for the first time ever, we merely visited the property. The reunion itself was held at the Lutheran church. A change, but one for the better in terms of weather, kitchen facilities, bathroom availability and land on which to run and play. While our physical surroundings were different, there were many things that remained the same, things that we've come to expect and love and cherish... an abundance of food, story telling, one remarkably long hayride, family pictures, and lots of sitting around.

End of Saturday.

My Papa's branch of the tree represented

I've said it before, but it merits repeating  - this trip, these people, the long drive - worth every minute, penny, sacrifice. What is it that binds this group of people together? Why this side of the family and not my grandma's? It's hard to say. God brought the right mix of people together, people who pick up the conversation where it was previously paused, people who don't feel awkward doling out hugs and prayers, people who save the date without thinking twice, people I love. Can't wait to see what our family looks like three years from now.

summer vacation: St. Louis

On Thursday, July 3, we hit the road with Joel and Kelsey, but before the caravan could begin, we needed to make a special stop.

We spent the night in Salina, Kansas before heading to the reunion in Missouri. It was nice to have hotel rooms next door to each other so the kids could get to sleep in one, while we goofed around in the other. Until bedtime, of course. Scott and I did return to our own room with our children! And we did have a monitor during our separation! We are responsible parents.

Our convoy pulled into Linda and Jerry's Friday afternoon, and it wasn't long before I became the designated parent in their pool. It was unseasonably cool in St. Louis for the 4th - an overcast day, and not ideal for outdoor swimming in chilly water.

Morgan and I attempted to reenact this pose from six years ago.
Not quite the same!

Although this table set-up is very much the same with my favorite story-teller captivating her audience with another riveting tale from the past.

Matthew is all... "Don't mess with us!"

I have so many pictures of Saturday and Sunday in Friedheim. To be continued...