And Back Again

As I contemplate the numerous blessings of this whirlwind short and sweet trip 

I'm realizing that I could feel greatly thankful if even just one of them had come true . . .

but there were more.

Maybe I can attempt a small window view into my time
on this thawing prairie land.

A morning visit to my bedroom . . .  all four of us tucked under one big blanket.

Story times on the couch or before bed.

Baking times. 

As I prepared for the class I had two helpers wanting to share the counter with me.

It took some concentration, trying not to forget about what I was doing, 

while watching little hands

 . . . so eager!

The anticipated morning with the moms brought on a shower of blessings 

through Kari, the ladies who planned the morning and the eighty ladies who came.

It was a delight to meet young women behind the scenes 

of the reading of the blog and the cookbooks!

Another blessing was to observe the bonding that took place between the oldest and youngest of our eight.

Teddy could not stand to have 'ehya out of her sight.

A precious moment I think of is when Ben came home from work one day and

Lacey, in a round about way, told him of how he had missed trying one of her buns.

With a big smile of awareness on his face, he asked her where they were?

"I ate them!" she announced with glee.

Just being there gave me a real live view of activities that make up the week, 

such as Lacey's art class and both girls' gymnastics classes. 

Ben showed me some of the homes they've built 

and Kari took me to a favorite bagel place in town.

I've come to realize that as this season of life continues to open up new challenges 

there is joy in following through on them,

be it stepping up to the podium or traveling with a granddaughter -

both an opportunity to meet wonderful people, more than willing to 

encourage or to lend a helping hand.

Tehya, it was so much fun to do this trip with you!

It makes me wish for more!