The Prologue

I had the best childhood a little girl could ever hope for. A large part of a my of my precious memories include my Grandma Putt and Popsie. As a tiny girl they bought me dresses to twirl in, play ovens to cook in, and took me to fancy restaurants and taught me how to use my manners and order a drink--- A Shirley Temple, to be precise.

As a growing, curious, talkative girl they took me to the campground, packed sandwiches in coolers and drove through the night to take me to Disney World. In fact, Popsie and I hold the record for the number of laps swam in hotel pools (just ask us)!

As a teen, they attended every important event, and made sure my parents let me go to the prom when I was a freshman. Popsie would scuff the bottoms of my new shoes to ensure I would not slip before each dance, and he sent me roses every Valentine's Day that I can remember.

Upon graduation, they loaded me up along with my cousin Shannon and took us on a month long trip to Alaska. They cleaned, sewed, and fixed every type of crazy contraption you could imagine in my many college dorms and apartments.  Upon college graduation we took another family trip to Hawaii. There, I snorkeled with Popsie and watched the waves roll in with Grandma Putt.

As Nate and I started our new life, they worked hours and hours on our first home and then, our second home. While working full time with two babies and trying to figure out how to be a youth minister's wife, Grandma Putt made meals for our freezer and supplied basic needs like paper plates, toilet paper and aluminum foil to make the budget stretch.

As we started the new church they supported us financially, built all of our furniture, and handmade all of our trim in our new home in Channahon. All the while, I didn't notice they were aging too. Through the most tragic grief and the most joyous days they have been a part of every stage in my life. 

So, when people ask, "What? Why Are You Driving Across The Country With Your Grandparents?" The answer is and will always be exactly what Popsie and Granny Putt taught me by how they gave of themselves ..... FAMILY is the most important thing in your life!  I may not look like it, or feel like it, but when I am with them I will always be that little girl twirling in her fancy red dress ordering a Shirley Temple.

And so now, at age 90 and 88 and 40, we embark on One Epic Adventure.... from Illinois to California we are off. I love them with all that I am, but I am no fool. This trip will rival any Lampoon's vacation. So hold onto your hat, we are off like senior citizens to the buffet!