More kindness.......

We have been staying with Renee's sister's house, her name is Rachelle and her husband's name is Mike and they have been so kind to us and welcoming.....it is sometimes challenging to stay somewhere with your children and they have made it easy....and it has been a great time....we went for a walk yesterday on a trail and Mads found a splash pad.....and then Renee's nephew's wife organized another adventure with Gabe's favorite things in mind....:) We went to see where their son worked and he got to see the trucks and animals on the wall....an elk to boot! If you know Gabe then you know;-) Then we headed to the farm and got to see and stand next to a giant Columbine......a truck I would not know exists if not for Gabe lol:) It was super cool to see it in real life.....and he got to see all the John Deere equipment....and it was just so lovely that everybody knows Gabe, just by way of knowing me, and Renee, and tried so hard to make this week special alongside our visit with Renee....and it truly has been......I have only been with her a sister a few times and I feel as if I have known her forever as well, in addition to the rest of her family.....that is so special......they have welcomed us in in such a special way......today the kids and I head out around lunchtime....I decided to get a hotel room in western PA and only do half the trip today.......perhaps grabbing a quick hike there tomorrow morning before we head home.....western PA is kinda pretty.....I have never stayed alone with my kiddos in a hotel, so we will scratch another first off the list and blaze a new trail! It is fun to plan new adventures and find our way.....I hope when the kids look back they always feel like the fact that it is just us, didn't hinder our experiences or limit what we could do.....that their mom tried to make it as fun as possible even though it was a party of 3! It will be hard to say goodbye today.....I do not know when I will see Renee again and that hurts my heart to think of that.....I am grateful for phone calls and texts that keep us connected, but it has been nice to see her in person today, like we didn't miss a beat......my heart is so full for the gifts of the last few days and I am so appreciative to each and everyone for their kindness and effort that they put into our time here! I am sure my kids will remember this for quite some time! Homeward bound! :)