Off To Texas They Go

I said I was NOT going to cry. Guess what? I cried... bucketloads it seemed like. What else are you supposed to do when your daughter and her family pull up stakes, and move out of state? Now we have to get used to “a new normal“ again.

It seems like we, all of us humans, are always having to find a new normal. When a parent dies, when you lose a job, when a global pandemic strikes, or one of your children moves away. So many different things happen in our lives, and we have to find a new normal.

Maybe God wants to shake us up a bit, and keep us from getting in a rut. Maybe.

Here are pictures of them getting ready to load up in their vehicles pulling various trailers.

And you know that I was at the end of the driveway waving until they were out of view.

The trailer Weston was pulling was piled up with his lumber that he has saved up for various woodworking projects.

Packing and Purging

As I sit here in my living room this morning, sipping on my first cup of coffee, there is a flood of memories going through my heart.
First of all, since the last time I wrote, a whirlwind of events have happened. My daughters family came back from just a visit to Texas, to let us know they were moving there, in two weeks! The moving part didn’t surprise me, since God had been preparing me for it, but the timing did. Two weeks?
They already have a home, and Stephanie and Brittney already have good jobs. So a whirlwind of packing and purging began. They have been to our house for supper almost every night, since their kitchen things have mostly been packed up, and I have savored every moment.
My memories go back this morning to my parents, and how they must have felt when we moved away, because now I know. They were so strong through it all, put on these brave faces while we said goodbye, and always had a big smile and hug of welcome when we came back to visit. How many times have I seen them walk to the end of the carport, smiling and waving as we drove away?
Today is my day for that part. The Arnold guys took the first load of things to their new home two nights ago, driving through the night. When they arrived at their new home they unloaded, caught a little bit of sleep, then drove back last night. I woke this morning to all three of my Arnold grandchildren asleep in my living room. They arrived this morning around six. Stephanie and
Brittney spent the last two nights with us, which I’m grateful for.

Sleeping grandchildren 

Today they will get the last load and head off to their new home. I hope I can be strong, smiling and waving at the end of the garage as they drive away on their “grand adventure” as I’ve been calling it.

Grandma Christine came from Colorado to see them 

After a hard day of work, Weston unwound by playing  the piano. 

The packing and purging

Saying Goodbye

I'm sorry, but for me, saying goodbye even for a few weeks is hard, especially when it's your baby girl. Stephanie and her family have always been close by, and there aren't many days that go by without us seeing each other.
This Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on many businesses, and Western Sizzlin, has gone under because of it. Jason, Stephanie's husband, has managed this store for many years, and it has done well with him at the helm. But there is just no recovering from what this pandemic has done to it. Yesterday was the last day for their doors to be open, and of course, we had to be there for it. We were there when they opened their doors, and there when they closed them for good.
Yesterday was also Father's Day, and we got together at the Arnold's for a big meal. We had a great meal, and a great time visiting. They have been packing up for an extended stay in Texas to visit with all the Homestead Heritage folks. I know they aren't moving there, not yet anyway, but we also don't know how long they will be gone. They are packing like they will be gone for a long time. Sad face here.
Now, I have to say, that God has been preparing me for this. He brought it to my attention in prayer about a month ago, so I have been expecting it. Still, they won't be just down the road for a while, and that's hard.
Randy and I have been talking about it a lot though, and we feel very blessed that we have had all three of our children and all eight grandchildren fairly close for many years. We know people who have had to watch grandchildren grow up via Face-time, or just seeing them a couple of times a year.
Here are some pictures from yesterday.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin