"There's No Place like Home" WOW, did I just say that?

Hi everyone,

My sister will be glad I am posting a new blog, so her 50th birthday wish is not the top of the news anymore! Right Linda?

We have been back from our trip to Arizona a little less than a week. We had mixed emotions returning to Wichita. It was so unbelievably nice seeing our family and friends, and so hard to leave.

I guess it was only normal for each of us to compare the two cities, Phoenix vs. Wichita. Maybe all of you would think we would like Phoenix more, but strangely enough we were all glad to be back to our new home here in Wichita, with the exception of leaving all of you again.

It is nice to know we can pack our bags and tear off to Phx in a days notice. The drive wasn't as bad as we were afraid it would be. I for one had flash backs and terrible anxiety when I thought back to our original trip from AZ to KS. Top speed being 45 mph! And the fear that David and Dawson were going to roll off the mountain top pulling the U-Haul that was swerving all over the place. Keegan and I frantically watched them while we were following them in the other car. Plus many more crazy things that happened during our trip, but not worth mentioning.

We are so thankful to God that our trip planned to Phoeinix was during this time, since our son (Ben) in Arizona was put in the hospital just before we left Wichita. I am not going to write about what all took place from beginning to end. Only that we were so thankful to be able to be there with Ben and our family.

I shouldn't be surprised, but I was so amazed at how many people love Ben. He had more visitors in the hospital than people that I even know. One visitor after another. Even in large groups they came visiting. The Dr's. called him a chick magnet! He is such a funny guy, he had everyone laughing most of the time. He is an inspiration to me. You can tell he loves life and people swarm to him because he is such a unique individual. He is loved so much and he is such a blessing to us from God. I don't think he realizes how many lives he has touched.

The good news is that Ben is out of the hospital, and starting his road to recovery with chemo and physical therapy. Thank you to everyone for your past and continuing prayers. There is NO better medicine than the power of prayer.

I will write again soon with more happening during the kids spring break. For now I just wanted to let you all know we got home safely and David and I are back to work. After leaving AZ we are both very thankful to have our jobs. It seemed like so many people we know in AZ have been affected by the economy. Maybe it was a good thing we left when we did.

Pictures are attached of our family with Ben in the hospital. I will attach more pics of our trip to AZ at a later time.

We will be leaving for Wisconsin the middle of July. Looking forward to seeing my side of the family too.

Please know that God loves each and every one of you and He hears your smallest thoughts and prayers.

Love and {{{hugs}}} to all of you,

Marjie

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Happy Memorial Day

Good morning everyone,

I love the mornings here. The air is fresh, the birds are chirping, the flowers and trees are swaying, I have my coffee, and everyone is still sleeping. How much better could it be?

People here in Kansas don't give their State much credit. I know I am somewhat still in denial, and it's hard to admit it, but I have to say, I think... I really like it here. I only wish it were another name than Kansas! Isn't that terrible? When we were leaving AZ we got harassed a bunch when we told everyone we were moving to Kansas. Here in Kansas, we get harassed even more that we LEFT Arizona. What's up with that? I think I need to start a club here and help the people from Kansas to be proud of their State and see how nice it is here. Wichita is such a pretty city. The downtown is so quaint. Many old buildings with lots of beautiful structure, some buildings are over 100 years old. The homes here are so magnificent. Great big old mansions. In the suburbs, the newer homes are equally as beautiful. I keep thinking I am only trying to look at the bright side of having to live here, but I think I really do like it here!

David is our non stop explorer. We all know if we go for a ride with him, we are in for a long day driving everywhere. Not just Wichita, all of the small towns around us. We each nod off at different times, but it is enjoyable to have our family together exploring new territory. I love that David is learning about our surroundings.

The kids have been out of school for a week. They are both happy children. :D

I never saw Keegan smile so much. She is really soaking up relaxation. She has written several short stories, and a few screenplays in her first week off! She has been reading books that most of us would never pick up. (Literature that is too hard to comprehend) She has had a picnic with her friends. She is in a summer book club arranged by her high school. They meet and discuss their weekly scheduled book. To most of us this ALL sounds a lot like school, huh?. If you know Keegan, reading and writing is her paradise! Oh, she and I have watched a lot of movies. I did miss that we couldn't spend our movie time together during the school year.

Dawson on the other hand has been busy with his friends. They play basketball nearly every day. He is getting really good at half court shots! (I'm impressed.) Most of the time he is going to friends or they come over here to visit. He spends a lot of time on the phone with the girls! Although I have to say I am glad that he talks to them on the phone, instead of just texting them. There is nothing like hearing the voice on the other end. I think it is much more personal. I have to look at old pictures of my boy to remind me of how sweet and cute he was when he wanted to cuddle with me and loved his mommy more than anyone. (Sorry David!) Don't get me wrong, I still think he is cute, or should I say handsome. And I do still get big bear hugs from him. Actually he walks up to me often, I think he is about to hug me, when in fact he only wants to remind me that he is taller than me!! (I am now the shortest one in my family) Oh well, who cares, right? I do love how Dawson has grown into a young man. It's hard to remember he is still 13, because he acts more like 15. If you didn't read my earlier blog about Dawson's Lacrosse team, be sure to check it out.

I feel like time is going to go really fast now with both kids and it will seem like in no time they will be off on their own. It makes me so sad to think about it. I need to quickly get back into my hobbies. Before I know it they will both be gone and I will not know what to do with myself.

David's and my schedule are opposite of one another. He works evening, I work days. He's off on the weekends and I work the weekends. Occasionally they give me a weekend day off. We do this on purpose so one of us can be available for the kids. Mostly to be their taxi service! So I guess once the kids are on their own we could make our schedules mix together. Why am I thinking about all of this now? Maybe to prepare myself, huh?

Naturally I have attached a few pictures. I thought it would be appropriate to remember a special day before we left Arizona. Our family got together on a very, very, HOT day!! We had a memorial for David and Marion's father. The photo is a picture of their parents, Francis and Phyllis Hughes. We miss them both and think about them often. Even though it was so hot outside that day, it was still fun skipping rocks in the lake and seeing the entire family together.

It won't be long and we will be in Arizona visiting our family and friends. The kids are so excited to see their old friends again. I know we will be driving them around the entire time. I read on the Internet the weather was supposed to be 113 degrees by the time we arrive. Yippee, I can't wait to feel that oven blast heat in my face!

I need to close for now and get outside to enjoy my morning in Kansas! :)

Love and God's blessing to you all,

Marjie