We were busy yesterday. It was fun spending the day with Scott and our kids. First, we drove to Columbus to drop off the broken lap top. (Please, don't ask. But feel free to read this if you have any doubt as to who broke the computer.) We had the opportunity to visit with Roberta. Roberta is my Mom's first cousin.
My Mom died more than fourteen years ago. Even though I can't physically visit with her anymore, I still have Roberta. She's as close to my Mom as I can get without the real thing. She means so much to me and I'm proud to be her neice (I mean cousin). Aunt Elaine (really she is another cousin but I call her Aunt Elaine), Lee, Stephanie and Gabe joined us for lunch as well. Here are some pictures of our time together.
This is Aunt Elaine on the left and my Substitute Mom, Roberta. It was so good to see Roberta feeling well and enjoying herself.
This is Stephanie and Gabe. Stephanie is Lee's daughter and Roberta's granddaughter. Gabe is, of course, Roberta's great-grandson. I think that makes him my 88th cousin, or something like that. I've given up understanding how that all works. I could ask our neighbor, Shelby. Somehow she always knows how this cousin thing works. (Those German Baptists know everything! ;-)
This is Lee and Gabe. Thank you Lee for joining us and for helping me get to and from the airport a while back. I appreciate you.
And finally, this is Grant. My "Honey, honey". Okay, so he's Shellie's "Honey, Honey" as well. This does not stop me from enjoying being called "Honey, Honey" or from enjoying our vist. I think that Grant has called us Honey, Honey for years. I have no idea how many. I just know that I love it when he says it. I love you Grant. Thank for making sure that you saw us today. That meant a lot to me.
After visiting in Columbus and then going back to pick up our computer we headed home. We regrouped and headed back out after a big long emotional period of time for me. ("Please let me go and see my baby!" Did I say that I'm better today? I am.)
We went to Bob Evan's for dinner and then to Wal-Mart. I would look like a bad Mom if I shared with you that we had the kids at Wal-Mart until 11:30, so I'll keep that to myself. We went to Wal-Mart to shop for school supplies. But we ended up having so much fun that we pulled the shopping list out for our China journey and went to work. We laughed and enjoyed the time together.
Here are some pictures of our evening. Some are from lunch, some are from dinner, Wal-Mart and finally, Jaden's bedroom. Better known as Packing Central.
Okay, so I know it doesn't look like much. Give me a break -- we don't even have TA yet.
Actually, I look a little behind the eight ball when compared to my travel mates. Check out Julie's progress or Perrin's intimidating progress. It looks like I have some work ahead of me. Heck, I'm just happy that I have almost everything on my list in one spot. Anything else is bonus!
Keep up the good work Perrin and Julie. I envy you right now.
How do you like the glow of the L.L.Bean bookbag?
Now that I've showed my mess, I mean progress, I'll get off of here and get started on the next step.
Look out China....we're comin' at ya'.
