Short Trip to Kansas City

I finally made it to Kansas City. Rumor has it that the third time is a charm. Rebecca and Bill were going on a 3 week vacation to Chorpus Christie and Bill was in Kansas City on some other business. Rebecca wanted to meet him there and continue on their vacation.

I had been watching the long range weather forecast to make sure the weather was going to be okay - all showed good weather so we took off after lunch/staff meeting on Thursday afternoon on the February 14th. By the time we all finished having lunch for Rebecca's birthday, it was snowing - hard! We did finally drive out of it and it was a beautiful day. We did not get away until two o'clock so we stopped in Hays KS and stayed overnight. On Friday we arrived in Kansas City around the lunch hour so we had lunch before I dropped her off by the Country Club Plaza where Bill was staying. Three weeks is a long time not to see Rebecca.

Since Kansas City has changed so much in the 17 years that I have been gone, Bill loaned me his GPS - it was a life saver. They both have GPS on their phones so they did not need it.

When I got to Betty's house (my cousin) we just talked and talked for the rest of the day. Lisa and Darin, Reagan and Roman, stopped by to say "hi" - Betty's daughter's family. So long since I have seen them.



Betty, Sister Johanna

Sister Johanna was going to come down from Omaha on Friday afternoon but at the last minute found out that she had a meeting Saturday morning that she had to attend. She did not get there until Saturday afternoon and had to leave Monday morning but at least I got to spend some time with her since I did not go to Omaha this year for Christmas.

Me, Shalom, Cheyyenne, Callie, Felicity, Brooke

SaturdayBetty and I went to Shalom's house. I met Kevin for the first time and of course Callie. She made up with me right away. She is so much fun. Brooke and Felicity have met me before but I don't think they remembered me. I have not seen them for many years. My niece Cheyyenne, who is 16 now, was coming up from Oklahoma just to meet me - for the first time. Cheyyenne did not get to Kansas City until late so we will meet for breakfast. She is so pretty. I must say I have gorgeous nieces. Valetta had to work and was not able to come up. Hopefully, I can see her next time. Yes, I plan on there being a next time.

Sunday - a very busy day! We left early in the morning and got back late at night! Betty, Johanna and I went to church. Then we went to have breakfast with Shalom and her girls and to meet Cheyyenne.

Me, Christopher, Kimberly, Hannah

Then went to see my nephew Christopher Crofford and his family. I finally got to meet Kimberly who is an absolute delight and so good for him. He makes a wonderful daddy to his one year old daughter Hannah. She is so precious and so photogenic. It was so good to see his mom, Tammy. It has been a very long time since I have seen her. She is fighting a battle with cervical cancer and I pray for her daily that she is winning.

Johanna, Me, uncle Larry

Then we headed for Kansas to see my uncle Larry and Johanna Schwed. We met at Houlihan's and had a wonderful dinner. Uncle Larry is 94 years old and sharp as a tack.

Melissa, Jillian, me, Stevi

Monday
Betty and I went to Independence to meet with Melissa, Jillian and Stevi. My first meeting with Stevi - she is now three years old and Jillian is five.

Tuesday
Had to cut my trip short because of the snow storm coming into Kansas City so I left a day early. I was supposed to meet with Connie in Salina to have lunch but since I had to change my date of departure she was not able to meet me because of a doctors appointment.

Once on the road I heard nothing but bad weather report from every direction. It was a beautiful day otherwise. I made it to Goodland KS and decided to stay overnight there. When I left the next morning I turned onto the wong highway and did not realize it until I got to Limon. It might have saved my life in one way - there was zero visability and there was not much traffic and no big trucks. When I got to Limon I stopped to relax for a minute and that is when I found out that I was not on I-70. When I left Limon it started lifting and it was clear sailing on into Denver. I stopped and had breakfast and went on home. I was there by 10:30. I did not sleep very well the night before worrying about the weather so I took a short nap and when I got up it was snowing and I could not even see the lake a couple of blocks over.

All-in-all it was a fast trip but I got to see all my nieces (that were in town) and my nephew. And that was really my intent when I left. The time I spent with each of them was so short but I would not trade it for the world. I love them all so much and miss each and every one of them.

Save the dateJuly 13, 2013 - my 70th birthday party here in Denver. Everyone is invited. I am going to try and make special arrangement with LaQuinta (for those coming in from out of town) over by the church so that everyone can stay in the same place. Please come and share my joy!  More information to follow.



"A joy that is shared is a joy made double."  ~Anonymous