the happenings.

It's crazy that I have been in Chanute for exactly 3 weeks today! What have I been up to?

Well...I had a friend come visit me one weekend which was great! I realize I have only been gone for 3 weeks...you may be thinking isn't that a bit soon for you to already have a visitor? Absolutely not! It was so nice having a little piece of Topeka here in Chanute for a few days. And honestly, I think it helped a lot. It was sad to see her go, but it was just really great getting to spend time with her. I guess it helped me gradually adjust to life here in Chanute.  For a while I kept thinking it was time to go. Especially the first week back. I'm usually in Chanute about 3 days on a good trip, and then back to Topeka. So it was really strange to not be going back to Topeka. 

Anyway, I am getting sidetracked. What did Ariona and I do in the big city of Chanute? Well, that's a great question. I was house sitting that weekend so most of our time was spent there. The wonderful lady I house sit for lives out in the country which is great. I always enjoy going out there! So nice and peaceful. We spent time out on the patio journaling and bird watching. Ari has never seen a for real hummingbird...she's only seen them on tv or in a picture...never in real life. And neither has she seen a cow other than in the distance while driving down the highway. So she got to experience both of these things! Sunday we went to lunch with my family then to Cherry Berry. Ari and I are big fans of Orange Leaf...that was/is our spot in Topeka. Whenever we would hang out it was almost guaranteed we would go to Orange Leaf! Yum! So it was only natural that we go to Cherry Berry...the next best thing. And we ate it at Santa Fe Lake...one of my favorite places in Chanute! It was a very relaxing, chill weekend.

Last weekend, a group of the youth group I am helping out with went to Grand Lake for a Missions in Action project. Due to the tornado that went through there was a lot of damage done. In the process of cleaning everything up, a massive pile had been gathered to be burnt.....on top of a water line meaning it couldn't be burnt. The lady whose home it is at is sick and not able and doesn't have the tools to move this massive pile. And when I say massive....I am not exaggerating. It was huge. So...we moved it over so it could be burned. Well...we helped for a little bit anyway! Then we got to have some fun while they kept working.

A couple who came to help brought along their boat! Sooo much fun. It was my first time boating...so it was my first time tubing. I had a blast. And so did the kids! It was several of our first times to go tubing so it was fun to get to experience that with them. But I will say...I was so sore after. Jeff, the guy driving, did not take it easy on us and I was happy about that. I had a blast. We were flying...literally! :) I did get thrown off once....apparently I did two back flips! Cool...I didn't even know I could do a back flip! haha. Unfortunately...I have no pictures of this. I am so bummed I didn't take my camera to document this adventure. You can count on me having my camera the next time though!

And of course there is my buddy Mr. Brodi. He is growing every day and so much fun. I am so blessed that I get to see him daily and watch him grow. It is so neat. He is something special for sure!

He is one cool dude.

Aunt Kaci and Brodi

Just chillin'