Making "Vacations" From Everyday Moments

These days it seems like it is hard to find time as a family. For well over a year, Josh pushed himself to the limit by working extra hours to help support our family and to build his dream medical practice. We have all sacrificed in one way or another. One thing we have been good at though is truly making the most of our time together and enjoying the simple things as a family. The first weekend in August is just one example. Josh was beginning a week long stretch of working in the Dodge City Emergency Room. After looking over his schedule, I found a 24 hour stretch (including night hours) just perfect for a "vacation". Josh left for Dodge City at 4:30 a.m. and the kids and I left at 3:30 p.m. When we arrived we checked into a hotel where we could spend some time as a family once Josh got off shift at 7 p.m. During our short time together we attended the Dodge City Rodeo, swam in the hotel pool, "attempted" a game of putt-putt (which was surprisingly unappealing to the girls), played arcade games, and enjoyed a meal out. It was just great to be under one roof and with each other during that time.

I continued my vacation with the girls and Cole without Josh. After our stint in Dodge City, we journeyed to Hays, KS to visit cousins, to Manhattan to visit grandparents, and then to Omaha, NE to visit more family before traveling back to Wichita. We made many memories.