STEVE and NANCY - Tulsa, OK

Tate, Becky, Zach, Emily, Nancy, Steve, Ryder, Choice, Juliann, and Shiloh


We made our way to Tulsa OK for a visit.  We'd attempted to make contact with Nancy and Steve at their home in Tulsa once before but failed to connect.  Shortly after we left a card in their mailbox, they sent me a sweet message with regret for having missed us.  We knew that when we passed back through Oklahoma we really wanted to meet them.  Today we had that opportunity. 

Shiloh, Choice, Zach, Juliann, and Rusty


Steve and Nancy welcomed us into their home to share a meal with them.  Nancy made their family favorite King Ranch Chicken.  It was delicious!  The kids shared a table with two of Steve and Nancy's grandbabies, Zach and Emily.  They were so adorable I joked with their mom that I was going to trade two of mine out for them. :-)  She didn't go for that idea, probably because of the energy she witnessed coming from my kiddos.

Emily, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Zach

Emily, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Zach

Juliann, Steve, and Emily


The grown-ups sat in the dining room and visited.  We were able to share with them some of the adventures from our travels thus far as well as information regarding the hotshots.  They let us know all about their beautiful family.  Turns out Steve and I share an interest in motorcycles and probably bored everyone else as we talked about them for awhile. 




Juliann and Steve

Steve also shared with me his desire for there to be a national holiday for first responders.  Shortly after Veterans Day he wrote a letter to his state congressman suggesting such a day of remembrance.  The seed has been planted and it is such a blessing that Steve put effort into this idea.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that action may be taken in this regard.





Steve

While I chatted with Steve and Nancy, the kids played together with Zach and Emily's toys. They had a great time.  

Becky, Emily, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Becky, Emily, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Emily, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Zach, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Juliann, Zach, and Steve

Tate and Steve


After dinner, Nancy pleasantly surprised us with her infamous Dream Dessert.  You can tell by Choice's face below that it was a huge hit! Morghen was wise enough to ask for the recipe so we can pull it out when we need a sweet little pick-me-up.




Choice

Steve, Nancy, Becky, Zach, and Emily felt like friends from the instant they opened the door to welcome us into their home.  Even though it was our first meeting, I pray it won't be our last.  We sparked a dear friendship with this sweet family. 

Tate, Becky, Zach, Emily, Nancy, Steve, Ryder, Choice, Juliann, and Shiloh

Tate, Becky, Zach, Emily, Nancy, Steve, Ryder, Choice, Juliann, and Shiloh





TODAY I RECEIVED THIS DEAR MESSAGE FROM STEVE...

Good afternoon Juliann -

Can’t begin to tell you how much we enjoyed your visit yesterday.  Only regret was that it was so short.

Absolutely loved meeting all of you - what a great bunch of genuinely good people.  Will always treasure you as new found friends.

Give our very best to Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, Choice and Morghen . . . Rusty too.  Those four munchkins of yours are wonderful, and so very fortunate that God blessed them with a mom like you.  Clearly those kids are developing into the kinds of people this old Earth sure could use a lot more of.  Your strength, example and guidance is so very important to them as they mature and I’m sure Andrew is looking down upon all of you with an unimaginable amount of love and pride.

Stay safe on your journey, and please plan to stop in again when you’re in the area.

God bless you all.

Steve

AND TO STEVE AND NANCY, I SAY...

Many, many thanks!!! 

After leaving Tulsa, we continued our journey north.  We stopped for the night at the World's Biggest Truck Stop, located in Joplin Missouri.  



Tate, Juliann, Rusty, and Choice



Tate, Juliann, Rusty and Choice

This long day had thoroughly tired out the dog and the munchkins.  They fell asleep within minutes of getting to the truck stop.





Rusty





Rusty, Choice, Tate, Ryder and Shiloh



Choice




Rusty

After they were fast asleep, we took a moment to explore this gigantic truck stop. 



 It blew my mind how many trucks there were stopped in one parking lot to catch a little shut-eye.  If you're not careful, you could easily get lost among the shuffle.


 



 In the store, there were some real treasures to behold...like this little ditty. I may not be a sniper, but I figured I'd try it on for size none-the-less.



Juliann





Juliann

Morghen is far more classy than me and made a makeshift mink coat out of a truck seat cover.





Morghen





The further we get into this trip, the more comfortable I feel with life on the road.  I think daily about selling my home and living fulltime on the bus.  The kids haven't quite taken to that idea yet though.  I suppose they balance out my ridiculously impulsive nature.


Next stop...Minnesota.







Juliann



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