The thin beast

After getting back from another trip to Iowa, and starting to get some semblance of normalcy, I figured I'd throw some tidbits up on here.

The trip back to Iowa was super smooth. Evan only cried when he wanted his paci, or was hungry, and the other kids were good enough as well. We drove straight through, taking about 18 hours, leaving at 3:30pm and arriving at 9:30am the following day.

We did all the usual running around, starting in Des Moines, that most of you know we end up doing every time we go back. Seeing all the family and friends was great as usual. Hanging with Stan was just like old times. Hit F&O's for pizza, even hit some Tasty Tacos one time, but couldn't get together for a movie. I hung out with Erik Sr for a whole day which was nice. Sam and Heather (my half-brother and sister) were able to come as well, so it was fun to get to spend some quality time with them. I'm really excited to see that Heather really has a plan for her future and it looks BRIGHT! Getting to see my friend Kris & Doug and their families is always a highlight of each trip back, but getting to hang with Doug for an entire day was a pleasant surprise! We'll have to make that an every time thing (hopefully adding Kris if he can). Another surprise was talking to my cousin Ryan who just got back from a missions/internship trip to Morocco. Hearing his experiences just made me beam with pride. It made me wish I could go along with him. He really has a heart for the mission field, and wants to get back there as soon as he can. If you'd like to read his blog which talked about his (and his wife's) experiences in Morocco, you can read his blog here. We stayed with Jim and Shelly like we always do, and I can't say enough for how much they do for us. Having the whole downstairs to have to get away and unwind after a long day is just the perfect setting for our trips back. If we didn't have that, I know it would make it harder for us to come for so long like we do.

The second leg of our trip was up to Cedar Rapids to see B's fam. Her brother Tanner is getting married again in October, but neither B nor I had met his fiance Trina. Well, we give our blessing now, for whatever it's worth. She seems like a really nice girl and I pray she and Tanner are blessed with the happiest of marriages! We stayed with Tyler and Taya at their house, and just like Jim and Shelly's, we had a whole floor we could go to and get away at the end of the day if we wanted to, but with B's fam, both nights we were there we stayed up late around a fire pit and talked. The weather was awesome the whole trip...70-75 during the day and mid 50's at night. Staying there made me miss growing up in a small town for the first time that I can remember. I really like staying with Jim and Shelly in Carlisle, but when we stayed with Tyler and Taya in Lisbon, it really made me think about the town I grew up in, and how quiet and peaceful it was. It's sad that how in our youth, we don't appreciate that peace and quiet. I need to get that point across to my children. I would sit on Tyler and Taya's front porch with a book and listen to the wind that passed through the corn, or the train in the distance, and could have stayed there all day. Tyler made some Starbucks coffee, and even though I've had that same brand/flavor many MANY times before...it was some of the best I've ever had. Those last three days were the perfect ending to this vacation. Getting to see Brad and Pat, Tyler and Taya (and shorties), Autumn and Reed, and Tanner and Trina is always something I cherish.

We've talked about moving back to Iowa in the past, and we did again this time, but the location has changed for me. If God wants us back in Iowa...I pray that He makes it a possibility to get us up in Lisbon or some area around there!

The ride back was just like the ride to. The kids were good (all things considered), and Evan was just as amazing. We are blessed!

The only downside to the entire trip was that the Olympics were going on. Any minute I had free, I was watching the Games. The opening ceremony was breathtaking. Words cannot describe them. There will never be another one anywhere close to as good as what was shown. I pray you all witnessed it. The events have been amazing to watch. Not sure if it's just me, but this Olympics has been the best "I've" ever seen. Phelps is just sick (and yes, the most amazing Olympian ever)! I think all the US swimmers must be some robotic dolphin or something. The sand volleyball duo Rogers/Dalhausser have been a blast to watch (I'm watching them right now in the Gold medal game against Brasil! GO USA! First set to the US...second is 11-10, US right now). Haven't caught a minute of the Men's basketball "Redeem Team" yet, and am bummed, but hoping to catch their next match. For the first time I've been interested in the track/field events, and have watched the US choke at almost all of them. The gymnastics competition was amazing, and it was cool to see Shawn Johnson get a gold. I don't remember how many days are left, but I hope I don't burn out my DVR!

Driving to and from Iowa is always long for B & I since we don't get to sit in the back and watch movies, or play video games, but for me personally, I found something that work better to pass the time than just listening to my mp3 player........listening to podcasts! Listening to something that is about 2 hours long, and is interesting, just made the time FLY by...at times. I'll have to find some for B next time.

Well, that's the recap for this year's trip. Not sure if we're driving back next year or not. We've contemplated checking out Destin, FL next year and taking an actual family vacation where we can drive half the time, and enjoy a getaway of downtime and fun, instead of running all day, every day. We LOVE coming back to see everyone, but it takes a toll mentally since we can't truly relax...and monetarily with all the driving we do.

I need to get stock in whatever gas company we use, before we head back next time.

Werd.