In 1999, Casey accepted a job with a pharmaceutical company that took us many miles from home. We both grew up in Texas and had never lived anywhere else. It was a big step for us. We just had our first child and only been married a couple of years. To be honest here, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Moving to Iowa with a 6 month old baby girl and no family or friends who lived there was hard. Looking back, God knew what he was doing with us. We had lots of hardships, home sickness, and growing up to do. If I had to do it all over again I would because I see the beauty and growth that came from this now.
This little girl was my life! Casey had to work long hours so she and I would venture out to see what Iowa was all about.
This post is a walk down memory lane to show the 3L's a little about our 4 years living in Iowa.
One of the blessings that came from Iowa was a sweet baby boy named Luke. Lukey, you will always be our little Iowan.
We may have been living in Iowa but I made sure they knew their Texas roots!
It all began on this street.....our first house.
and our first neighbor. This is George Hamm. He soon became a grandad to us. Shortly after we moved in his wife passed away. Almost every meal I cooked I brought Hamm a plate. He would sit by his big front window and wave to Lauren and I when we went on our walks. She loved him. Today George is 96 years old and since the day I left Iowa we have written each other letters every month. When Casey and I were back visiting we tried to get a hold of George. He now lives in Davenport with his son. Phone call after phone call we couldn't get a hold of him. It broke my heart not to get to see George this time. I think what had happened is that when his son is working he doesn't answer the phone. Anyway, I will work on a letter to him soon telling him how much I miss him still. Thank you Lord for the little grandad next door! You knew I needed him.
This was George's house.
828 Sandusky Dr. This was our first house. It looks so different now! Not the same little blue house. Yes, I said blue! It always reminded me of Lauren's favorite kid show "Bear and the Big Blue House" ha! All of the houses in Iowa were so different to us. No brick like it is here in Texas. This little house is full of memories......potty training a screaming 2 year old, home sick calls to my mom, bringing home a baby boy who we had been praying and praying for, and many prayers that Casey and I said together. If these walls could talk I wonder what they would say? I hope it would be that one loving family lived here.
The backyard was huge! Casey would be pouring with sweat each time he mowed it. The backyard had a huge flower bed at the back. Nothing like Iowa soil! Anything can grow. I will certainly give that to this state.
The backyard was huge! Casey would be pouring with sweat each time he mowed it. The backyard had a huge flower bed at the back. Nothing like Iowa soil! Anything can grow. I will certainly give that to this state. Plus, we truly had FOUR seasons here. Unlike Texas....which is mainly one season. Hot!
Like I said, our little house doesn't even look the same to us. The garden that we started was full of weeds. I remember my dad coming up from Texas and helped us put this in. We even had a sprinkler system to water it. Lauren got her love for tomatoes from this garden. 
In Iowa there are almost no fences. (again, unlike Texas) Your yard ran right into your neighbors yard. Which kind of made it real pretty and open. Behind our backyard was a gully. Not sure if that is the correct name for it but that is what we called it. If we had a good rain this thing would fill up! I am so thankful that our backyard here in Texas does not have this. I can just see Landry and Luke getting into trouble in the gully. ha!
This is Mr. Hamm's garden. It was always full of beautiful yellow Iris.
Like I said, our little house doesn't even look the same to us. The garden that we started was full of weeds. I remember my dad coming up from Texas and helped us put this in. We even had a sprinkler system to water it. Lauren got her love for tomatoes from this garden. 
In Iowa there are almost no fences. (again, unlike Texas) Your yard ran right into your neighbors yard. Which kind of made it real pretty and open. Behind our backyard was a gully. Not sure if that is the correct name for it but that is what we called it. If we had a good rain this thing would fill up! I am so thankful that our backyard here in Texas does not have this. I can just see Landry and Luke getting into trouble in the gully. ha!
This is Mr. Hamm's garden. It was always full of beautiful yellow Iris.Before we moved back to Texas I dug up a few of those Iris and now every year when they bloom I think about my sweet friend.
Our backyard.
Our backyard.
The back of our house had a little balcony. I remember cool summer nights sitting out here with Casey and us watching our baby girl practice walking.
Seeing this ol' house brought back many memories. Casey and I both had tears in our eyes as we talked about this place. It isn't the same. It isn't what I remember so it made it easier to leave this time.
While we were here in Iowa City, we visited places that meant something to us. A few blocks from our little blue house was Weatherby Park. If Casey couldn't find me at home when he got off of work then he knew to come here to find Lauren and I swinging.
It really was a nice park
In the evenings at the back of the park I would come here to run around this soccer field.....to loose my baby weight! I will never forget sweating my tail off and then here would come Casey with Lauren on the back of his bike waiving at me. ha! They would loop me several times. I would just crack up at them.
If I had a quarter for every time I pushed Lauren on this little swing set I might be rich!
If I wasn't at the park then I was at Kmart which was one street away. ha! I would just stroll through the isles as I waited for time to pass until daddy would be home. I wonder if this is why Lauren likes to shop these days? ha. Now it is a Big Kmart!
We stopped by Pediatric Associates were I was a nurse. 
This was our Church. A few years ago, Iowa had the worst flood ever and all of this was under water. Since then they have rebuilt it. When I think of this church I think of having Luke dedicated to the Lord here and also my sweet girl's first preschool class. Casey and I fell in love with this church. When we moved to Texas our goal was to find a church just like this one. The Lord answered that prayer too.
I couldn't take this picture without crying. You see that little white cat with the fish in his mouth in the picture? This carousel was in the middle of the mall and my baby girl LOVED her "T". She called this cat "T" and I would make special trips to the mall just to see Lauren's eyes light up riding this kitty.
Iowa really has lots of things to do for families. This is one of the best Children's Museum I have ever been in.
It was such a roller coaster day of emotions. Casey and I decided to go eat at Joe's Crab Shack. We sat outside and saw these cute little old men racing their sailboats. I was really missing the 3L's by now (but know they were in such good hands with their wonderful Meme!)
This guy cracked me up with his crab bib! He was ready to so some serious damage. (A little something that you might not know about me is that I am a HUGE fan of Deadliest Catch. ha! Casey and I enjoy this show together when the 3L's are asleep)
This post would not be complete without showing you a true Iowan! My kids would have loved to ride this.
So that was our trip back home to Iowa. It has been 6 years now since we have lived there but it sure felt like yesterday. Like I said, there are lots of good and not so good memories from this place but I wouldn't have changed a thing. My Faith grew during that time along with my marriage. Casey and I are so close today because of this place. I truly believe that. We only had each other to lean on and God showed us how to do that.
Seeing the 3L's on Sunday was pure joy. We missed them like crazy. A special thank you to my wonderful mother in law who did an amazing job with them (and my house!) Love you Bridget
Seeing this ol' house brought back many memories. Casey and I both had tears in our eyes as we talked about this place. It isn't the same. It isn't what I remember so it made it easier to leave this time.
While we were here in Iowa City, we visited places that meant something to us. A few blocks from our little blue house was Weatherby Park. If Casey couldn't find me at home when he got off of work then he knew to come here to find Lauren and I swinging.
It really was a nice park
In the evenings at the back of the park I would come here to run around this soccer field.....to loose my baby weight! I will never forget sweating my tail off and then here would come Casey with Lauren on the back of his bike waiving at me. ha! They would loop me several times. I would just crack up at them.
If I had a quarter for every time I pushed Lauren on this little swing set I might be rich!
If I wasn't at the park then I was at Kmart which was one street away. ha! I would just stroll through the isles as I waited for time to pass until daddy would be home. I wonder if this is why Lauren likes to shop these days? ha. Now it is a Big Kmart!
We stopped by Pediatric Associates were I was a nurse. I loved this job! The doctors and nurses were fabulous.
I ran in to see my nurse manager, Becky, who I just adore.
It had been 6 years since I saw her last but we have been keeping in touch through facebook!
Next we visited Mercy Hospital...why? This is where Luke was born. Ok, I can't believe I am going to share this for everyone to see but here it goes!
It had been 6 years since I saw her last but we have been keeping in touch through facebook!
Next we visited Mercy Hospital...why? This is where Luke was born. Ok, I can't believe I am going to share this for everyone to see but here it goes!Nov. 20, 2002 I made a trip to Mercy hospital to be induced. I never really imagined having my children anywhere else but in Texas. For some silly reason it bothered me. I wanted my babies born on Texas soil. I am Texan true and true. Soooo, what did I do? I had my parents who were here from Texas to bring me a jar full of Texas soil. Yes, I placed it right under the bed where I had Luke. My doctor was a good friend of mine and she loved it! She even wore cowboy boots to Luke's birth. To this day I still have that jar full of Texas soil. He may have been born in Iowa but he was born on Texas soil! For those of you who aren't Texans readings this I promise I am not a nut. For those of you who are....maybe you understand?? ha! Goofy, I know but it made a 9 month ready to pop mommy happy at the time.
This was our Church. A few years ago, Iowa had the worst flood ever and all of this was under water. Since then they have rebuilt it. When I think of this church I think of having Luke dedicated to the Lord here and also my sweet girl's first preschool class. Casey and I fell in love with this church. When we moved to Texas our goal was to find a church just like this one. The Lord answered that prayer too.
I couldn't take this picture without crying. You see that little white cat with the fish in his mouth in the picture? This carousel was in the middle of the mall and my baby girl LOVED her "T". She called this cat "T" and I would make special trips to the mall just to see Lauren's eyes light up riding this kitty.
Iowa really has lots of things to do for families. This is one of the best Children's Museum I have ever been in.
It was such a roller coaster day of emotions. Casey and I decided to go eat at Joe's Crab Shack. We sat outside and saw these cute little old men racing their sailboats. I was really missing the 3L's by now (but know they were in such good hands with their wonderful Meme!)
This guy cracked me up with his crab bib! He was ready to so some serious damage. (A little something that you might not know about me is that I am a HUGE fan of Deadliest Catch. ha! Casey and I enjoy this show together when the 3L's are asleep)
This post would not be complete without showing you a true Iowan! My kids would have loved to ride this.
So that was our trip back home to Iowa. It has been 6 years now since we have lived there but it sure felt like yesterday. Like I said, there are lots of good and not so good memories from this place but I wouldn't have changed a thing. My Faith grew during that time along with my marriage. Casey and I are so close today because of this place. I truly believe that. We only had each other to lean on and God showed us how to do that.
I am thankful for my time in Iowa City, IA.
God..... you sure knew what you were doing sending us there.
Seeing the 3L's on Sunday was pure joy. We missed them like crazy. A special thank you to my wonderful mother in law who did an amazing job with them (and my house!) Love you Bridget
Blessings~Rob
