We had a very full and fun spring break!! Thank goodness we still have the weekend to "recover" and relax before we start back to school to finish strong! Grandpa took all the boys (and me) to the Martinsville race last Saturday night. It was a great way to start our spring break! While it was quite cold and there was some rain/sleet prior to the start of the race, we were able to see all 400 laps under the stadium lights and even got to walk on the track prior to the start of the race! It was definitely memorable with the weather and the cars racing around the short track!
On Monday, the boys and I made our annual bike ride/run around Salem Lake. We tried this for the first-time last spring break and the boys wanted to tackle the seven-mile loop again this year! I am so proud of them! There was no complaining at all this year... they really are growing up! Maddox loved seeing all the turtles sunbathing as we made our way around the lake. He would have me stop to take pictures periodically to document the turtles!
On Tuesday, we loaded up a 15-passenger van and made our way north toward West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Boomer and Zack had to work, but Linds and I had the same spring break which made it a perfectly timed trip to see some old friends, say goodbye to Great Grandpa and Great Grandma along with driving around the town Grandpa grew up in. The kids did great in spite of the many miles. They definitely kept us on our toes and probably made it easier to get through the tougher parts of our trip.
Great Grandma had requested her ashes be spread at a local Methodist camp (Jumonville) where she would take in the views of the town (Brownsville) she grew up in down below. It seemed fitting that we could make this happen on what would have been their 73rd wedding anniversary, April 13th. While the forecast was calling for rain the whole day, we had the most perfect weather. I am still in awe of how God works even the little things out to make for a positive opportunity to say goodbye one last time. Fortunately, there was no one else at the top of the mountain as we were spreading both of their ashes and we were able to have a few moments to remember them both. We played "Deep Purple" (Grandma's favorite song) and "Georgia" (Grandpa's favorite song) along with singing a few hymns that Grandma always loved. I am always impressed with how Grammy knows just what to say to make any experience applicable for the next generation. She was able to articulate what we were doing for the kids to understand while also intertwining scriptures that support our faith that we are formed from the dust and to the dust we will return. While we know they are no longer on this earth and pray they are experiencing an eternal future that is so much greater than anything we can comprehend, we still miss them deeply. I continue to trust the promises of Revelations that show we will reside in a place where there are no more tears, and all will be made new.... what an incredible time that will be! I pray that if you are reading this, you will be joining me in that perfect place one day. I also hope that these pictures capture the experience of saying "so long" to one generation as the latest generation enthusiastically takes it all in.... it is bittersweet for sure!
After we spread their ashes, the sun started to peek through a cloud right over the cross. It was such a gentle reminder of God's promises and provisions. It is not lost on me that we were able to do this between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. A week where our Savior went from being celebrated to despised to crucified and rejected to victoriously conquering the grave! It is because of this week that I have a hope and a future, one where all these generations will come together one day to celebrate our Risen Savior!
After visiting Jumonville, we stopped at the local cemetery to see my grandpa's parents and siblings' gravestones. We also ate lunch at the diner where my grandparents and dad had many fond memories! It was so special to have my dad show my kids where he grew up. He was able to point out his childhood house and little league field where he played baseball. It was such a memorable day for many reasons! I am so thankful that Grandpa was so intentional about all the stops we made to help the next generation connect to his childhood.
We took the kids to swim in the indoor pool when we got back to our hotel. They needed some time to get their energy out and the pool was the perfect place for that! I always loved indoor pools on our travels as kids so I hope they will remember this part of the trip as well!
Both nights we stayed in a hotel in West Virginia. This gave us the opportunity to see one of my dad's best friends. Their family is like family to us. Leigh is the reason that Linds, Zander and Emerson have "Leigh" in their name. We had to take a picture to document all the "Leighs".
Today (Good Friday), we were able to dye Easter eggs at Grammy and Grandpa's house! The kids did a great job with minimal spills. Each year this experience seems to get easier. I think that just means that these cousins are growing up! I am so thankful they have each other to share all of these holidays with!
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