My Vacation from life and connecting with cousins!!

I took vacation the last two days of June til July 5th. I spent the days out in Iowa with my cousin Don and his family. I got a lot more sleep than what I get here. I don't know if it was the peaceful life or Don taking a night shower. I enjoyed it though. Alex had already been there for a week prior so she could go to camp with their daughter, Marlene, who is 8 days older than Alex. On my way there, 24 miles from Valparaiso, I ended up with a flat tire. I called my roadside assistance but they had no clue where US 30 and Indiana 39 was. After getting my tire out a couple of guys pulled up and helped so I hung up with my roadside. They were able to help me put air in my spare as well, since my car lighter didn't work for my air compressor. They then followed me to Walmart in Valparaiso so I could get another spare. I had a relaxing ride and time in Iowa. Sarah's family is so nice as well. Her grandma is like my grandma TJ, accepts you for you and takes a liking to you. I learned a new way of playing cribbage and it was nice that we all laughed when I would call muggins too early. Even though I was busy helping Sarah with kids, dishes, laundry, and Don with burning, it didn't seem like work. The days didn't seem to fly by either. HEY!!!! But when this next thing happened it was flying by. It was so funny because Friday I thought it was July 2 not July 3rd, when Sarah said yesterday was Uncle Jim and Aunt Lois' anniversary. I said no it is today,but my brain was on vacation as well.So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AUNT LOIS AND UNCLE JIM!!!! We did a pinata for the birthdays, which I also found a mouse in my trunk that ran from me. It is still in there so I stopped and got mice sticky traps but still no mouse. (I think it is my payback for killing the hamster after I found it). I am thankful for Don and Sarah's encouragement and example. Even though I didn't get to spend much time with Don, I enjoyed the talks we had and just the maturing we both have done. (me mostly)Don has been mature and loving most of his life, that I can remember. Sarah does a great job keeping order with the kids, laundry, dishes, and helping with the house. The colors are great she has picked for the rooms. Homer actually volunteered his parents to build a house for Alex and I. Before church though, Jesse reminded me of my childhood, sharing ONE bathroom with 6 people. I had to go the bathroom and thought he wouldn't take long so I will wait for this bathroom, which was the closest and most private one, but it ended up to be a forever shower. So I was glad to sit by him at church. I took all the kids in my car to church. It was a treat. Their church is small but every one there is great and you can feel God. They even sing old children songs. I even like one that I haven't heard before. It is called Obedience. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. Doing exactly what the Lord commands,doing it happily. Action is the key,do it immediately. Joy you will receive. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. O B E D I E N C E, obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
Alex got in the car yesterday after church and said mom I am so glad to be going home with you. I said why, I thought you wanted to move out here. She said yes, but with you, I don't want any brothers or sisters. I can just come visit to play with them. (this is funny because Alex would bug her dad with me to have a sibling) When I dropped her off half way to Sarah and I told her now she has brothers and sisters so enjoy. She had fun with them but as every family knows you get agitated with one another every now and then. Sarah says she kept me there for her, but she and her family is so welcoming that it was hard not to leave. I wanted to leave earlier in the week but most of me wanted to stay so I did. I probably would've still stayed and camped outside if it wasn't for me to get Alex here to camp and me to support us. Thank you for a fun relaxing forgetful week.

Don also is a godsend in my books. He fixed my car lighter (not to smoke :), and I haven't even wanted one since I got sick on Memorial Day) and my air conditioning. The air was great for my ride home. I had a headache/migraine and it was nice not to have the wind sound going down the highway and there was a spot of rain for 5 minutes. I don't know why or how I got on 80 west but I did and with the headache I had I didn't realize it til I got 3 and 1/2 hours away going almost to Nebraska. Good thing I like to drive. Besides Alex and I got to get more states on our list. This morning, Alex was off to church camp bright and early. The other parents was saying yes! peace and quiet!! and I was going please don't go!!! I miss her and feel bad I am not a parent right now.

I need to go on vacation more often. I got the mail I had being held at the post office this morning and got several great news. 1. my mortgage is lowered by $30 a month due to miscalculating escrow 2. I paid Alex's pediatrician before the insurance decided to pay for it so I got a check back for the over payment 3. A check came for the over payment of escrow 4.I called my lawyer to see how the estate is coming and I have to write checks next week but she (paralegal) asked me if I knew of a check from Walgreen's that came in that was due to Chris, I said no why?. She said a check from them along with a letter saying that this money is due to Chris from his bonus he earned. I thought they wouldn't do that because a bonus is given for how well the store does over the year ending in June. (my pharmacy manager said that is what he likes about Walgreen's is that they treat the people right.)So she put that in the estate fund. Hopefully, I won't have to pay much out of my pocket. :)

I am really praying for God's guidance. I had to return to my drama life here. Even though I was considerate of some family members to tell them I was on vacation they still called a lot!!! It was nice not to have service where I was! :) I did return this person's calls this morning but no answer. I then throughout the day get several more messages stating why aren't you returning my calls, are you mad at me, what are you doing, why won't you talk to me, what did I do to you.... (this person doesn't have voicemail for me to leave a message) I also can't call from work because this person said work should be work not personal time. I am ready to change my number. I did save the worse ones for my counselor tomorrow.I did call this person tonight after talking to my sister. This person is already asking when school will start but I am not saying because I am not having this person watch her and knowing this person this person will try to get her. I am truly praying for God to show His direction for me. I really need my space and so I am praying God will show me a way to sell the house and move away. I can just hear it now, why are you selling his house?(Alex and I want Iowa) probably Waterloo or the town that is similar to the spelling of Evansville, so I have service. But Cedar Falls and Waverly has a Walgreen's. Anyways, just keep me in your prayers that I will know God's voice in everything I do whether it is little or big or Iowa or another state. I got a smile from my pharmacy manager when I said how much Alex and I loved Iowa. He said, you and Alex need to be where there is a great support team for you and if it means leaving I will understand. I said, I am not leaving until God tells me to, you have been a great support to me. (he smiled. I had him listen to my messages and he said I need to get mean!!)I know it was a vacation, but it is so relaxed out there and peaceful and no service for my phone. Nothing to go do except for the good bonding things like kids ballgames, family time, and even bonfires.(this is a good thing) You can even burn outside. I love the smell of burning leaves in the fall and even the smell of a campfire. I do have a good life here, a house, job, family (some)and a church. I sometimes feel the church is too big though. Like I told Don and Sarah, I am not rushing into things and I am going to just see where God takes Alex and I. I hope to see them more and stay in communication with them. Now that I am more mature and have family I would love to become more acquainted especially since we have kids the same age. I love it my daughter is still saying yes mother or no mother. I said, please remember it at camp. She said I don't think I will get over it. Thank you again, for your help in molding my princess of Gods and your hospitality and your friendship. Tell Don I will hold him to his word. (I'll buy you all the coke you want) HA HA HA! Just kidding I am not keeping tabs on coke. You probably still have the whole case left that I replaced. Love you all. Miss you as well. Happy Birthday Don, tomorrow the BIG 40!!!!