It had been a l o n g time since we had visited our Kati and her sweet family!
Life has changed and responsibilities have changed and that is what is necessary in this season. It is what we do. But although Kati and Andrew and the children have visited us two or three times each year, we had not been able to visit them on their turf since 2022! We had never seen their new home (they moved in 2023), and the children were too young to have even remembered our last visit.
So you can imagine how delighted we were to finally be able to head south and see our dear ones! Many details . . . much planning . . . and the kindness of the Lord!
These two sweethearts greeted us as we pulled into their driveway . . .
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| Ellie (4) and Caleb (5) |
. . . and we spent the next days having the most wonderful time together! A kid-guided tour of their charming house, hanging out, catching up, going to Andrew's parents' home for a lovely lunch, house projects, an outdoor tour of their property, coffee, delicious meals shared around their table, coffee shops, a trip to the city, eating southern foods, antique shops, a bookstore, and, of course, being enthralled by Caleb and Ellie!
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It did my mama-heart good to see our dear ones in their own place, seeing their rhythms and how they live, experiencing their favorite coffee shops, shopping at some of their favorite stores, seeing them as an established family unit.
It also did my mama-heart good to see my Kati living the life she had always wanted: happily married and homeschooling her children. I looked around and saw evidence of her homemaking skills, collections of beautiful children's books, and this vignette.
Nestled among some parenting and homeschooling books was a "Morning Time" candle and a framed Charlotte Mason quote, "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life."
Yes, it was a wonderful trip and I returned home with a full heart!
Loved reading this as I remember Kati Before she was married, And the wedding and then babies coming. I can imagine how blessed you were by seeing them in their new home. I can tell she’s your daughter. / dotsie
ReplyDeleteYes, Dotsie . . . you were with me here a while back! How quickly time flies!
DeleteIt was very exciting to visit Kati and her family. I am so grateful for the opportunity! Thanks for stopping by!
What a perfect family visit for you all.
ReplyDeleteIt was delightful, Barbara . . . such a blessing!
DeleteSo good! I’m so glad you got to go and get filled to the brim! You made lots of great memories!
ReplyDelete"Filled to the brim" is a great way to describe it! Lots of memories to fill my mama=heart! (You know the feeling!)
DeleteHow marvelous! It really is good to spend time with our kids on their home turf every once in a while. So glad you could make this trip and the time was right for everyone. What a lovely spot they have settled in. Looks like some help with projects were accomplished, too. Now you can picture them in their new setting because you have been there. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, it was so good to see them in their element! We thank the Lord for making it possible! Blessed with many talents, Andrew is also a very handy guy. Even so, I think he was happy to have Ron with him to kick start a few projects . . . and Ron loves to kick start! :)
DeleteOh Cheryl this is so sweet! Ellie sure looks like her momma. Precious times for everyone. Blessed Easter to you.
ReplyDeleteEllie certainly does look like Kati, and her pleasant personality is much like Kati's too! We were blessed to have this time! A blessed Easter to you too!
DeleteThis was me - Rosella. Don't know why my name did not show?
DeleteAhhh . . . Hi, Rosella! I could tell it was a friend, just not which one.
Delete(Who can understand the mysteries of the internet?)
This post makes me smile, Cheryl. I can just imagine how your mother heart swelled with delight as you spent time with your grandchildren and children, and saw their home. The glimpses you've shown us are beautiful. Seeing people in their own places makes it easier to envision them when you are far away, I find.
ReplyDeleteI find that too, Lorrie! Now I can "see" them when I think of them or even when we do video calls, knowing where they are in relationship to the rest of the house and the property. I love that! Thank you for smiling with me, friend!
DeleteOhh, how wonderful for your family to all be together at your daughter's house! Yes, it makes a difference when you can visit their house and see how they have put into practice what they learned at their own individual homes growing up. I too remember reading that far back about how she would decorate her own bedroom. Blessings for Easter, He has risen.
ReplyDelete