Thursday, March 25, 2010

Loving the small-town life

I was brave (or dumb) enough to make the 12-hour car trip alone with the boys since Manuel had to work all week. Several friends said a portable DVD-player is a must for a long trip with toddlers, but being on a budget, we did without, and things went better than expected. (However, if I have to hear "This Little Light of Mine" from Bryce's Baby Bible Songs CD one more time, I just might pull my hair out.)
We spent one day and night in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with my dad and stepmom on the way to Iowa, which was a much-needed break from the car and a sweet reunion with them. (I have only known my biological father and stepmother since 2006, and we have been enjoying getting to know each other over the last few years. But that is another story.)



Once home in Iowa, we spent time at my Grandma's house enjoying her cats and her home-cooking. I also putted around town with my sisters, Jenine and Amber, and my nieces and nephews. A highlight of the week was stopping in at South Side Drug Store (built circa 1919) for a cherry Coke at their old-fashioned soda fountain. My mom used to fill our prescriptions there when we were kids, and she'd always buy us a cherry Coke while we waited. That was always the best medicine, and I'm proud that the little drug store continues to thrive today.




We also spent time with my mom and her new husband Dennis at their home in Centerville, Iowa. They arranged an Easter egg hunt for the kids, which ended with me eating too many miniature Twix bars. Back at Grandma's house, Bryce and cousin Abby had fun baking Easter bunny cookies and dancing in the living room.






Then it was back to Nashville for us, where the daffodils in our yard are in full bloom. That was a nice Welcome Home. Manuel and I planted them in the fall of 2005, four months after we were married, and they pop their pretty heads out of the soil very faithfully each spring.
We are having fun getting ready for Easter and anticipating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

1 comment:

Brenna Gentry said...

wow... I can't believe you did that trip alone!!! IMPRESSIVE. I am glad you made it there and back safely. Oh...and you look like your Dad!!