The week in Review

Eden with her Grandpa Great in Michigan-Christmas 2005

Eden dutifully buckles her seatbelt, reads the safety instructions and watches the world below.

Last week started off like any other week. Eden and I were getting ready for a trip to Wilcox for the weekend, where I was going to work at the Bumblebees and Ladybug's Children Cosignment sale in Kearney. We spent the week recovering from Holy Week and Easter, filling each and every day with 'something' that had been put off until 'after Easter'.

We arrived in Wilcox on Thursday, and the pick up promptly went to visit Joel in the shop for a brake job. Friday morning, as I was heading out the door, my mom called with news that my grandpa had passed away peacefully at home that morning.

After many hours on the phone with Amtrak and airlines, calculating mileage and gas prices, at 10p.m. I found a flight out of Lincoln at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Al called a fellow pastor at 10:30 p.m., who agreed to preach for him Sunday morning and thus began our journey home. Having anticipated that this day would come, I had previously packed toiletries bags and funeral clothes. Al had to come up with the rest, including camping gear (keep reading)....

Allen left Bridgeport 7 a.m. on Saturday, arriving in Wilcox to pick up Eden and myself around noon. We headed for Lincoln and got checked in 20 mintues before boarding. In Detroit, our plane was on the run way for 45 minutes while we waited in line to be de-iced, and then had a 13 minute flight to Flint. Mom and Dad met us, and Eden was asleep before we left the parking lot around 11:45 p.m. Eastern Time (2 hrs. off Mountain Time).

All but one of the Kraft Clan made it home for Grandpa. Showings were all day Sunday and Monday, with the funeral on Tuesday. We snuck away on Monday to visit Al's Grandpa in the nursing home about an hour away. Wednesday was laundry, repacking and fun with grandma (below). We boarded a plane for Lincoln Thursday at 7 a.m.

Mataya, Eden, Grandma and Ariya coloring

We made it back to the Jenkins in Wilcox on Thursday for supper, and stayed until Friday, where we then drove to Cozad for the 7-8th grade confirmation camp that was scheduled for that weekend. Al was a presenter and I was partly in charge of games. Saturday afternoon, it was time to head back to Bridgeport and the place we now call home. Sunday everybody slept about 4 hours and today is full of 'catching up on everything else'!


Thanks to all for your cards and prayers in this time of loss. The link has the obituary from the Marlette Leader. Grandpa was a strong hold in the community for many years and it was good to sit around and hear stories of the like.

Holy Week

Eden got tired of coloring and took a nap on Samson.

Blessings to everyone this Easter season!

We have been busy, busy, busy in this house and I've been informed that I need to update the blog before I do anything else. Sooo, while Eden naps, here's a recap of Holy Week at the Strawns:

Monday was spent rushing to Scottsbluff to buy a movie that Al needed for class on Wed. While we were there, we bought a gas grill and had them assemble it, which took another 2 hours after being there much of the afternoon.

Tuesday I can't remember, but I'm sure it was a busy and important day!

Wednesday was a typical Wednesday, with confirmation class for Al and choir for me, followed by a Fire Meeting that went long.

Maundy Thursday began at 0430 with another car wreck on the windy and icy highway. The rest of the day was long as Eden didn't nap and then wanted to go to sleep as soon as church started. For the 1st time in his preaching career, the pastor (who will remain nameless) burst out laughing in the middle of the sermon, as his daughter (who shall also remain nameless) was sitting in the pew, hymnal open on her lap, singing at the top of her lungs.

Good Friday (Zachary's 11th!! birthday) we had company coming from Wilcox on their way through to Wyoming. So, I scrambled for the vacuum and went shopping for some food. We at supper together, went to service, then came back and talked until it was way past my bed time.

Saturday was a late breakfast, then off to a parishoner's for lunch (also called Dinner). Then, we rushed to the fairgrounds for an Easter Egg hunt and back to their house for dessert.

Easter Sunday started early with the men's breakfast (burriotos...yes, we're out west). Then choir warm up, church, back to the house to make dessert, and out into the desert for another parishoner's dinner (also called lunch). By 3:00 we were ready to sleep for a week, and came home to crash.

Yesterday, Al took the day off and we drove to Lake Minatare, about 50 mintues away, and we drove around the campgrounds and went to the Inland Lighthouse for a picnic. We then drove south into the WildCat Hills and came home the long way. It was a nice ending to a lonnnggg g week.

Now, I'm getting ready for my first Mary Kay party tomorrow and my house is trashed.

Did I mention she climbs?

Mt. Everest is going to be a piece of cake for Eden in about 10 years.... I was working on the dishes today, when the radio started playing. I turned around and Eden had climbed up onto the chair, then the table, grabbed the stereo remote and turned on one of her many favorite CDs and was dancing to the groove! She has also grown tall enough to climb down from the "time out" bench, so that has been rendered ineffective.



Holy Week is keeping us busy in the Strawn house. Mowed lawn in the rain Sunday after confirmation parties, Monday we ran to Scottsbluff to pick up a movie Al needed for Wednesday's confirmation class and bought a grill while we were there. Spent Tuesday working on getting over all the illnesses that keep creeping into our house, (from dusting to carpet cleaning & Lysol wiping!). That night, Eden busted Al's new glasses, so Wednesday was a trip to the vision place and the post office to mail April cards and presents, choir practice and a fire meeting. Today started with another car accident in the wee hours of the morning b/c of the 4" on snow that found it's way to Bridgeport! Services tonight and tomorrow night, Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Dinner with one family on Saturday. Easter Breakfast, Service and another family dinner on Sunday.

Monday we're sleeping all day.