Good Bye Nebraska ~

 Adam and Matthew made it back safe and sound. All went well on their flight back to Omaha! Matthew likes flying : )  But we sure missed them! We're kind of used to Adam being away, but not little Matthew! He wasn't homesick a bit, even with all those states in between us. So proud of him. Such a capable, mature little guy.

 Matthew heard that we had bought him a birthday present...and it wasn't long before I gave in and let him have it early. The armour of God, as told in Ephesians 6:11-18.  "Stand therefore, with your loins girt about with truth" (the belt of truth), "and the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the gospel of the preparation of truth; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always..."

 The time has come to leave. Karla and the boys say last good byes.

 We have seen So Much of Jeff this month! He works very long hours with Burlington Northern, especially in travel time. So we were very blessed. It was a teary good bye though. Nothing like good neighbors who become lifelong friends.

 Not even out of Plattsmouth yet!

  Right away an older gentleman stopped when he saw us to see if we needed help. His crowbar was of great use! Don't think we would have gotten the tire off without him! He stopped within 5 minutes of when we first stopped - and after about a 1 1/2 hour pit stop, no one else ever did. He was one of our angels today, praise the Lord!
  It is Sunday, but Adam went and sweet talked one of our local businessman to fix the tire and get us set up with a spare. Nothing like small town! Always going the extra mile and helping out those in need!

 While the kids and I waited, we unloaded the bikes and went riding. This was a very big hill and Matthew coasted down it very well. First time on such a big one! Anything Matthew does Kaitlyn is sure to follow! She immediately needed to do this too and coasted down from the middle. With William, I had no way to tag along, even if I could keep up. She did great! And slowed down at the bottom and stopped like a pro! Very fun!

We'll miss dinner tonight with Bob, from Country Maid. But otherwise, the trip to Iowa and Adam's training go smoothly now.

Daddy is off to class. First thing on our agenda, swimming!!

It's official, William can pretty much be on his own! He is a little pro in his life vest! Wow.

Off to do some laundry and visit the neighboring town park.

 He just loves his big sister and wants to be like her.

 All this wood was so great!

Daddy is taking them tonight. I'm taking a break.

Right as we drove up and parked, swans and their ducklings came right over to greet us!

 We are visiting West Bend, Iowa, a little town with the largest man made Grotto in the world. It's back behind the fountain in these pictures.  http://www.westbendgrotto.com/  It is the largest collection of rock, stones and gems in the world, put together showing nine different scenes in Jesus' life.

It is also in the same town where Country Maid is located. Daddy is just about 1/2 mile away learning the pastry business as we sightsee.

 This had petrified wood making up the cave of Jesus' birth from Montana!

 These mosaics were made from things collected in Italy.
 It was one man, a father, whom the Catholic church commissioned to make this. It was his life's work and he felt called to do it. He did it during a time when it was more legal to take things from around America and the world. He didn't quite live to see it completed, though. Another father who was with him towards the end, finished it.

They had a nice little playground and place to eat.

We had a snack at the Grotto while trying get a hold of Adam. Thought, maybe, just in case, we might be able to get together for lunch.

We didn't get a hold of him, but found Country Maid!

That was fine, so we went and had lunch at a cute place downtown.
 
One kind of funny story; I decided to order their 'veggie burger.' When I got it, I asked if there was a mistake, because it was a hamburger. No she said, there's the veggies," pointing to the lettuce, onions and tomatoes on the side. I laughed and said, "Ok!"

  Well, at the end of our stay here in West Bend, IO, we stayed a little later than all the other people that attended the training. We were graciously invited to dinner by the CEO and his family to dinner here, at the same place. And while we were waiting to order and we were visiting, he laughed and mentioned, "Be careful if you order the veggie burger!"

  Of course, the locals already know! We all had a good laugh : )

Come to find out, I was at the backside of Country Maid headquarters when waiting for Adam, too! The front is much prettier : )  But, either way, we didn't catch him this day.

  Our last photo op in CORN. Not Nebraska corn, but good enough for us. (Don't get mad Husker fans, please!  : ) And don't tell anyone in Iowa, either!)
  I think this is a good as any place to continue on and say, I had very good closure in leaving Plattsmouth

And it's not really 'good bye.'

It's 'see you later.'

Visiting one more time with Daddy.

We had such a good time here in the West Bend area.

  Country Maid's CEO is the son-in-law of the founders of Butter Braid pastry. So after dinner with him, we followed him out to his home to meet the rest of his family. Some of them were a little under the weather. While we were there, out at their nice country home, Ken and Marlene Banwart came, also! Marlene originally made the first 'famous' pastry. She then started selling them at their local farmers market. They were so popular that Ken came up with the idea of freezing them ahead of time and eventually they started marketing them on a larger scale out of their basement. They are so nice! All of them! What a treat to meet them all this evening!

Good bye Iowa, we'll be back for sure!

William's smile for a time, when I ask for one!

  Common food while moving, unfortuanately. I confided in one of our 'nutrition & health' friends in Omaha, one time. She was so surprised! Funny what people tend to assume. Moving really is a time of survival. We are thankful for fast food, frozen meals and 'long-shelf-life' foods at times such as this! We'll cleanse and de-tox later  : )

Kaitlyn's state : )  She always vividly remembers the time she rode a horse. Someone was leading her, though, and she believes she is ready for a little more, now.

 

We're homeschoolers, it's all educational, of course!

 Hello Montana! It's official!
All we have to do now is get the house sold.

 I Could Not Believe It!! Most years we moved, I asked Adam to stop at a sign like this...any state. No.

I had given up a while ago. Today, all of a sudden, out of the blue, he stopped! Took pictures, posed nicely, happy. I'm Really liking the changes I keep seeing in you, Dear Hubby!