Utah...just passing through!

Well this is nearing the end of a very long trip..yes..I heard a lot of "Are we there yet??"... and I told Todd to be patient! ha ha! Brett was really great on the trip--no whining (I detest whining children)...the funniest thing I remember him saying is when Todd showed him an old Mountain Dew (start praying Mormons..they drink the DEW!! the sinners!)bottle and explained that he and Brett were to use this as their "pee jug" because we did not want to make too many stops. Brett looking a bit pensive then asked "but where is my poop jug?"

Wyoming to Utah...phase 3 or is it 4?

HOWWWWWWWWWWDEE! What a simply beautiful state. Loved the different landformations!! Notice the bug splatters on the windshield in the first picture....appetizing! Brett is here begging for a treat..again! to this day I cannot look at a Subway, Wendy's or McDonalds without having a "gag" reflex.

Trip interrupted--Oakley Kansas..not a place to visit or stay!

well..we got up early and were on our way..just relaxing enjoying the scenery and the 70's music on the radio when Todd thought we ran out of gas. I found this peculiar, but the BMW slowed down as he veered off the exit. Thank goodness we coasted down the hill and made the first turn before we came to a complete stop. Todd, suffering from gout, pushed the car just a few feet when a good Samaritian came to help push it into the gas station just a few feet away. We filled up the tank, got some snacks, and I started the car. It started just fine.Except for one problem--it would not go into gear. We pushed in into the nearest parking spot and prayed. We started calling around for rental cars, etc. We were 80 miles from the nearest--anything!I noticed a lot of pink fluid on the ground where we pushed and parked the car. I realized it was transmission fluid and figured that the tranny went out. $3500 was the quote we got from the nearest dealer...and the local guy "was out in the fields till Wednesday" his Daddy said. We priced rental cars and uhauls..renta car=$535 a day (no joke)and the Uhaul was over $1,200. We knew we would have to spend the night. We were relieved that two hotels were right across the street! God blessed us!! I called the new looking one only to find out it did not open for 24-48 more hours!! So we had to stay at the fleabag.We pushed the car across the street into the motel lot, and then we had to empty the car ..which was packed to the gills! We also had to pretend that our cat was a baby to smuggle her in the room. It was a sleepless night!We were grateful to have a place to stay and shower.The Lord watched over us..and darn it..He has a great sense of humor! My awesome brother-in-law drove from Idaho through the night to get us, and we dropped him off at the Denver airport, so he get home to do a surgery! We will never forget his generosity. He even put up with our cat! We drove in luxury the rest of the way in Summers car!!!

Move PHASE 2--From Kentucky to Kansas--- Hills to Mills..

The Bluegrass state was left behind in the wee hours of the morning...and we hit Kansas...I found the windmills that lined the landscape quite eye pleasing!

Family pictures and visit with Aunt Mary Ann

Sometimes you just can't wait for a bathroom!
Uncle Louie and Brett

Brett, Dustin, Jacob, and Aunt Mary Ann
My Aunt Mary Ann is my father's favorite sister. She also is the matriarch of our family. She is one of my favorite aunts (I love all my aunts!!) She is the first American relative that I met, and the mother of my closest cousin, Fawn. She is also sassy...which I adore! We had to shorten our trip to Indiana, and Judy and I had to get back to my sick husband and Dad. I heard she was not feeling well so Dusty wanted to visit her too.


Darren and his wonderful wife, Melissa!

Familiar landmarks in Indiana....

Darren, Melissa, Jacob and Brett enjoying Huber's ice cream!

Arni's pizza..one of a kind! Had to bring Dad and Todd back their own pizza! They were too sick to join us on this excursion.

This is my elementary school St. Mary's of the Knobs.

Virginia Libs house..I spend many summers there in her orchards..and with her grandsons!
This is the church on Atkins Road where my Mom is buried.

My Indiana Family!

Cousins! Brett and Jacob Rocky (Dustin's son)they became fast friends!

The Move Phase 1 Kissimmee to Indiana--These places and these faces are getting old...I am going home!

I'm staring out into the night
And trying to hide the pain
I'm going to the place where love
and feeling good don't ever cost a thing,
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain
I'm going home to the place where I belong
where your love has always been enough for me
I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home
The miles are getting longer it seems
The closer I get to you.... babe
I've not always been the best man and friend for you
But your love remains true and I don't know why
You always seem to give me another try
I'm going home
To the place where I belong
Where your love has always been good enough for me
I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me
But these places and these faces are getting old
Be careful what you wish for
cause you just might get it all
you just might get it all and then some you dont want
be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it all
You just might get it all
I'm going home to the place where I belong
Where your love has always been enough for me
And I'm running from.. you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me'
But these places and these faces are getting old
But these places and these faces are getting old
I'm going home
I'm going home

Maybe it is corny to add this song from Chris Daughtry, but it says everything I felt when we were moving just a few short weeks ago. Here are some picture of my old home which has been renovated and does not look the same at all. Other pictures are of the landscape, view from where I lived, and my precious family that still lives in the surrounding area. It had been 7 years since I left Indiana. I do not regret leaving because Heavenly Father and my husband have given me more love and spiritual growth than I could have ever imagined. Yet there are always the memories of a mother, first love, the sweet sting of death, and friends that will stay with me always. I will always be a Hoosier!

Farewell Party

Our wonderful church friends threw us a farewell party. It was a bitter sweet event! We were really touched and felt loved by our church family..the family that has really grown with us spiritually...this type of growth really helps me to understand Heavenly Fathers glorious plan, and how these people truly are our brothers and sisters. We have felt closer to them than our own relatives at times.