Time in Arkansas

Josh and the kids were with us for a few days and then I followed him back to Arkansas.  I thought maybe I could help him out a little since Staci was in Israel.

Before getting to Fayetteville, we stopped about an hour north to visit with my Aunt Betty and Uncle Bill.  Aunt Betty is my Dad's youngest sister, 10 years younger.   Aunt Betty just went on hospice that day.

We didn't stay real long, as Aunt Betty was not up to much visiting.  

But we were so glad to have what time we did have.

When we got to Josh's, the kids showed me their pets.  They are kept next door at their other grandparents' house.

Except for Joby.  He stays with them.

This time, I slept in Elijah's room.  Eli slept in his daddy's room.  In the early morning, there were deer outside Eli's window.

Eli's best friend lives next door on the other side.  They played every day!

This is their fort.

It rained one day, but the days were getting nice and we even ate out on the deck.

Emeri loves to read.  A LOT!

And Eli loves his nerf guns!

One day I took them to Hobby Lobby to buy some crafts.

Elijah got a log cabin to paint.

It was a house for his mice!

The mice have tunnels under the bedding with exits here and there.

Emeri purchased 5 canvases that were on sale.

She loves to paint!

I treated the kids to Braum's.

Eli showed me his drone.

He flew it up onto the ledge.

But dust began to fly everywhere!

Well, who dusts up there where no one can see, right?

Time to get out the vacuum!

Walking the dog and getting the kids out to exercise.  

And then time to make cookies!  Emeri likes to bake! 

We watched March Madness and checked our brackets each night.

Sad to see KU lose!  Boo hoo.

When the tv wasn't on, various pictures scrolled through the screen.  

My favorite children!

So very grateful for time with my son and his family!

Museum of World Treasures

We went to the Museum of World Treasures with the kids.

Part of the Berlin Wall that was torn down.

Not the most beautiful lady now, but perhaps in her day.

Check out the pointed shoes!

Height of fashion, but would make for difficulty in running away from the enemy!

Afterwards, we went to Jimmy's Diner, an old hang out of ours when our kids were younger.

They have the best shakes!

They give you the shake and the container it is made in, so like, double shakes!

You can make up any flavor.

My favorite is chocolate, peanut butter, coffee. 

Nostalgia

After visiting the salt mines,  we headed out west of Hutchinsons for good Amish cooking at the Dutch Kitchen!

Fried mac and cheese!

The fries and pie were to DIE for!

We went on a nostalgia tour -

first past the farm where my Dad grew up.

Whoever lived here made the house into a larger 2-story house.

Dad and his 3 sisters.

His 4th sister was born when Dad was 10.

Looks like Dad had already had his front teeth knocked out by this time.

He always liked to make us laugh by sticking his dentures out!

We drove into Pretty Prairie to see the houses I lived in when on 

furlough in the 8th grade and then when we moved here from Japan

during my last 2 years of high school.

This was the parsonage while my Dad was the pastor at the First Mennonite Church.

Al and I enjoyed swinging on the porch swing.

Next, we drove the kids out to the farm where their Papa grew up.

His brother and wife live there nonw.

They have added on to the house.  They made the kitchen larger and added a living room to the west side of the house.  The old living room became their master bedroom, and his parent's bedroom became the master bathroom!


Al's mother, Kathern.  My dad used to call her Kitty, which was her nick name when they went to school together.           
                                                                                          "Papa" as a little boy.



Grandma Graber with Jill.  How we loved to sit on that front porch!

I had told the kids I used to mow our "lawn" in Japan with a push lawnmower like this when I was growing up!  I don't suppose Al used one like this, but am sure his Dad did, and perhaps this is that very lawn mower.  This one belonged to my sister-in-law's grandfather..

The boys did a little target practice.

Papa teaching Eli.

 We all (including me!) were able to shoot the coffee can!

Emeri preferred reading her book.

Next we stopped by the First Mennonite cemetery to

 see the folks' tomb stones and some of our ancestors' too.

What a fun day of nostalgia!

"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past."  Deut. 32:7

The Israelites were told to remember the faithfulness of God to the generations past, and Al and I remember our past, and our ancestors and how God faithfully led us through the years.  He has been so very good, even in the difficult times!  He never leaves us nor forsakes us.