Summer 2026 Trip#5 Nashville Again

Final trip in August...we got home from Washington at 11:30pm on a Sunday night. Cole jumped back into work bright and early on Monday morning while Keaton and I prepped for Nashville. Asked and Answered Friends, Keaton has raised enough money to attend his dream college! The Lord has provided through the many large and small contributions to this effort. Thank you all for the prayers too. Keaton is so thankful. I am so thankful. We are still raising funds for next year (if you are so inclined). Here is the link to the info if you'd like to give or if you have specific questions, please reach out directly:   LINK to Keaton's 529

After Cole left for work Monday morning, Keaton and I started piling his belongings into the back of my car. We were able to fit the mini-fridge, his art books, a small TV, his clothes, bedding, and his dad's acoustic guitar. Then we drove 2 days (15 hours) to get to Nashville. Stopped partway to stay with friends outside of Dallas. (Many thanks Steve and Lisa - annnnd your little dog too....) Made it to the dorm where we were greeted with hot, sticky, Nashville weather. Oh. My. Word. So hot. We were also greeted by a group of friendly guys who carried all of Keaton's stuff up to his dorm room on the 3rd floor. Praise God the A/C works brilliantly in the dorm room!  

Monday evening we met Keaton's roommate and his parents. Then I left Keaton and drove a few blocks to my Airbnb. Keaton started his orientation - Quest Week - and I stayed put in Nashville one more day to catch up on email, payrolls, and general client work before heading out on the 2-day journey back home. I've heard stories of some moms breaking down when leaving a kid at college. That never happened for me. I think it was the overwhelming sense that he is right where he needs to be at this point in his life. Truly a sense of peace at how everything came together for him. Or maybe that this was our last travel for the summer and I was on the downhill slide? What I know for sure is Keaton was very sweet, sharing deep hugs and words of gratitude for "everything you've ever done for me" and for all of our friends/family that made this move happen, plus maybe a little uncertainty that he could do this college thing without me nearby. He frequently uses the term: imposter syndrome. But in the subsequent weeks I can tell he's gaining traction. We talk or text pretty much daily. He found a church he enjoys, even though he has to search around for a ride to get there. Loves his animation classes and is making acquaintances in his classmates. He's actually breathing better (hasn't used inhaler much) which makes me wonder if he's allergic to our cats or our dusty weather in West Texas? He is surely missed around our house. Not just for the chores that Cole and I had to take over, but just for his cheerful demeanor and camaraderie. Cole and Keaton FaceTime every other day or so. Very thankful we are all in the same time zone. Now that Keaton is settled in Nashville, we are looking at a new season for our family -- my dad is soon to move in with Cole and me. Stayed tuned for more on that.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven;

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to tear, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

Summer 2026 Trip#4 Fidalgo

On to the August trips...

The boys' childhood friend Ethan got married this summer and we had the opportunity to attend a wedding reception at our old stomping grounds in the Pacific Northwest. July/August are usually the best months for visiting and despite some smoke on the first day (due to wildfires in Spokane area), the rest of the trip we were blessed with gorgeous weather.  We were only able to stay a few days, and sadly did not get to visit our old church, but the boys took full advantage of being near the water again. Upon our arrival, Riley immediately took the guys out in a boat for an adventure around the island. Most of these photos were taken by Cole. Who, incidentally, took photos at the reception for a picture guest book for Ethan and Reilly. (Amazing, don't you think?) 

The Evans' farm is always a great place to rest and relax. Unfortunately I had a lot of client work to complete, as the timing of this trip was just hard. I won't complain, though, because I was able to spend time with a few friends and the boys and I did some exploring at Washington Park too. In fact, while sitting on a bench some very tame birds fluttered around nearby and one landed on Keaton's knee and then his hand. Kinda cool!

Evans' chickens

Evans' dahlias

This is the first time Cole had been back since we moved in 2022. It was all very nostalgic for the three of us. We tried to hit the highlights, our old neighborhood, the water views and lookouts we always enjoyed; all of this triggering memories of their childhood in the Pacific Northwest. Being together for the first trip all summer, we made new memories as well. Riley took the guys out to pull crab pots one afternoon. And we were able to lay some flowers on Eric's headstone. All in all a lovely trip, just too short (in my opinion.)

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days. that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Summer Trip Interlude

Yes, we did a lot of traveling this summer. But for the record, we did stay home in July. And I know that I complain about the lack of "beauty" in West Texas. Sorry to all the natives who love the landscape here...I'm trying to embrace it; really, I am. As the old saying goes, we should try to stop and smell the roses. God's version is more like this: "Be still, and know that I am God." On my walks through my neighborhood, I've been taking photos of what I'm calling "Urban Beauty". This week I even spotted a hummingbird and a hawk. Here's my collection of moments where I realize God creates beauty because He loves it and He wants to share it with us. I continue to work on the weeds in my backyard - - maybe someday I can take photos of gorgeous perennials in my yard. Until then, here are some pics from the 'hood.

       

And one last item to note. On our travel BACK from California, we actually drove 2 cars. Thank you Grandpa Neufeld! Cole was able to purchase a car that Grandpa had sort of been saving for him. He absolutely loves it. What I love is that Cole has immediately gotten involved in the care and maintenance. He researched when something was amiss, changed out a battery. He learned to change the oil. He took it to the shop and got some things repaired that were beyond his expertise. What a blessing to have his own wheels! (And I get to drive my car again....yay!)

"For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth 
over and around us lies.
Christ, our God, to you we raise
this, our sacrifice of grateful praise."

-Folliott Pierpoint 1864