Another full, fun weekend

Just warning you - we had another FULL, FUN weekend, I took a lot of pictures, and this post is long!! 

On Friday evening, after watching dire weather forecasts, we hit the road for Lancaster County around 7 PM.  It wasn't long at all till we hit the "dire" weather - hard, driving rain and sharp lightning.  At times the clouds were so low, and we kept watching them for that all-too-familiar funnel shape we had seen on TV over and over again last week.  Although, I have no idea where in those mountainous highways we would have gone if they had become funnel clouds.  Which they did not, thank God.

Once we got beyond Harrisburg we were pretty much out of the storms.  We had a very special package to pick up in Reading en route to Dick's parents' house where we were staying for the weekend - Destiny!!  It was probably 10:00 till we got there, but the household in which they live was wide awake.  She literally jumped into my arms when I walked in the door and practically knocked me over!  We were sooooo happy to be together again after four months.  I think she talked non-stop the 45 minutes from Reading to Manheim! And I'm sure we giggled ourselves to sleep, trying not to wake up Grandma Arlene.   I was telling her funny stories about Austin.  This is a picture Dick took of us on Saturday.  I have no idea what that light circle is, but I think it must be the glow of our happy hearts, hahahaha!!

Our Saturday was filled with one good thing after the next.  Breakfast with  Grandma Arlene, then a trip to the nursing home to see Grandpa.  He cried when he saw us, something he frequently does, and we have been told it is common after a stroke.  He was happy to report that he had eaten baked oatmeal for breakfast with no problem at all.  He is doing EVERYTHING possible to hasten the day when he can go home to stay.  I wanted to sing for him with Destiny, and asked her what song she would like to do.  She looked up the lyrics for Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandfather's House We Go on my phone, and we sang that.  Then I suggested Amazing Grace, one of Grandpa's favorites, and she found the lyrics to SIX verses of that song, and she wanted to do all six of them. So we did!

From there we went back to Grandma Arlene's for a wonderful lunch of chili and all the fixin's.  Then we headed for the Manheim Community Pool - their annual free swim day.  It wasn't as much fun as we expected.  We saw only two people that we knew, which made us realize how many years it's been since Jeremy's swim team days when we felt like we knew practically everyone there!  And the water was freezing cold!!  I dipped my toes in, and that was enough for me!  Destiny had a great time diving, but after a while even that got boring, because she needs friends to have fun with.  I love this shot of her on the diving board.

Next we went to our favorite Lititz Springs Park.  But I was overcome with extreme sleepiness and opted to take a nap in the truck while we were there.  It occurred to me that I had not had any coffee that morning!  Destiny was disappointed that there were not many ducks in the water.  We're still wondering about that.

From there we went to the Burlington Outlet in Lancaster.  Destiny's mom had gotten her a cute pair of Guess sandals at the Burlington Outlet in Reading, but discovered that even a size FIVE was too small for Destiny's growing feet!  We were hoping to exchange them for a bigger size.  However, they didn't have those particular sandals at the Lancaster outlet, but we found another cute pair that were exactly the same price and we were still able to make an even exchange.  I took this picture to text to Destiny's mom to make sure she liked them.  Gotta love technology! 

And by the way, we had to buy size SEVEN's!!!  That girl's feet are growing like weeds!

Then we went back to Manheim to eat at our favorite Subway.  I tried their orchard chicken salad sub this time.  It was okay, but I honestly think I make better orchard chicken salad, haha! 

From there Dick walked to Manheim Central High School to watch an all-star football game.   I got a call from Sam and Jenn who were just leaving a birthday party at her parents' house near Harrisburg.   We decided to meet up with them near the PA turnpike exit north of Manheim.  From there we went to the nearby lake at Grandma Mary's Gretna Springs community.  Once again there were no ducks, but three swans.  We just hung out in the lovely gazebo and mostly talked about babies (for some reason!)

When we said goodby I wanted a picture of them, and we decided on one that shows her cute baby bump!

 

Destiny really, really wanted to see Grandma Mary, so we stopped in at her house for a very short, but sweet "hello".  I didn't even get a picture.  We needed to head back to Manheim to pick up Dick from the football game.

Sunday morning found us at our home church, which was wonderful as usual.  However, being a holiday weekend, there were many people missing, including our pastor and his wife.  That was a huge disappointment to me.  I miss them so very much. 

We then had a very special event to attend - a hot dog roast in the back yard at Dick's parents' house with some of his brothers and wives, Grandma Arlene, AND  the guest of honor - GRANDPA!!!! 

What wonderful memories that wooded back yard has for all of us!  We actually used to set up our tents and camp there!

 Dad had just a two-hour pass from the nursing home, so too soon it was time for Arlene to take him back.  And he cried all the way to the car.  It just broke my heart.  He wanted SO BAD to be able to just stay home. 

That time is coming soon, I am very sure.   I wish I could be there on that day to take pictures.

Before long we also needed to pack up our things, because there was still more activity ahead!  We first of all took Destiny to Frank and Darla's house in Ephrata.  She was happy to be there, and they were getting ready to leave for the pool, so it made saying "goodbye" an easy thing.  Oh, I just want to show this picture of her in the adorable dress I found at Salvation Army!  She just loved it.  And I love HER!!  We had the best time together, and I miss her already.

 

After dropping her off, we went to a "Zimwit" gathering at my step brother Roy's LOVELY home.  What a perfect place to host a cookout! 

 There were many more "Zims" than "Wits" there, because Doris's family had a pool party to attend, and of course, the majority of the Witmers live too far away.  I really enjoyed getting to know two of my step brother Marvin's daughter-in-laws.  They live and have ministries in the city of Reading.

What a dream of a back yard!

I'm sorry I didn't even get a picture of the "matriarch" of the Zimwits - Grandma Mary.  We all love her so very much.

Dick and I made the two-hour trip back home last evening.  I had fun talking to Lisa on the phone during the drive back.  They started their road trip yesterday, and were in Charlotte, NC last night.  They lived there for one year (ten years ago), and had just gotten a quick picture of Lisa standing in front of the beautiful house they owned while there.  Right after they took the picture they got a text from me, "So did you see your house yet?"  The timing was too funny!  Our family spent a very memorable Easter weekend at that house ten years ago.  Good, good memories.  Today George and Lisa will meet up with Ray and Thyda in Richmond, VA for lunch.  And then on to Jeremy's in DC for a few days.

Dick has to work today.  I won't have Austin, but I've got lots to do - VBS music to prepare and cleaning to do in preparation for our visitors next week.