We're back from Sioux City, and it was an emotional trip, as well as being filled with all sorts of Sugarwings Fun.
When I was a young, divorced, and penniless, mom with two rambunctious sons, my Mom took us in. She had been transferred to Sioux City, so my sisters packed us up in Indiana, and drove the boys out to her home in Iowa, since I didn't even own a car at the time.
My Mom has been gone a few years now, but I will be grateful all of my life for the help she was to us when I really really needed her. She not only took us in, she helped take care of my wild and crazy boys while I worked and got back on my feet. To do that, she sold her cozy little one bedroom cottage, that was just perfect for her, and bought this beautiful, old brick palace with space for a family.
That house was so stately and special. Going back to see it again was heart wrenching, but was the first thing I had to do when we got to town. The house meant a lot to Mom too, she'd been through some rough times, and not so nice men in her life, so owning a house like this and being able to support us when we were desperate for help, was a boost of confidence for her. She was so proud of how hard she had worked and this house was kind of a symbol of all she had done for herself to get to that point. And was she was even prouder to be able to say that she did it "without a man".
Dear Abby and Ann Landers had been raised in this house. (I'm sure I could have used some of their advice at times while I was a single mom) And it had once been a fantastic neighborhood. But the area seems to be going down hill, now. It made me very happy to see "our" house so well cared for and tended to. It looked like a huge, and multi-generational family lived there now, with a grampa in the garden and babies on the porch. That seemed fitting.
While in Sioux City, we visited Palmer Candy. Sugarwings was pretty happy with that part of the trip….
We bought a case of their Cherry Twin Bings, as souvenirs to give to family and friends here at home.
Down along the river, a monument to Lewis and Clark has been built in the years since we lived in that town. The fairy grand baby figured it was part of the playground equipment.
Since we were doing a lot of driving around and sightseeing, we promised to stop at all the parks we passed for Sugarwings to get out and stretch. My husband's mom is a kid at heart too and she was happy to do more than just stretch when we made park stops.
Traveling with a two year old meant lunches at places like Chuck E Cheese instead of quaint roadside diners my husband usually prefers. Usually, we tryto eat local cuisine, like Iowa loose meats, but for this trip, it was a lot of hotel food and kid friendly restaurants.
Honestly, we didn't care what the meal was, just spending all that time with our little one and doing things she loved to do made this trip one of the best of our lives. Finding a hotel with a water park was the best part of the trip for her, we stayed at a Holiday Inn downtown Omaha that seemed to be empty except for us. We had the whole pool area to ourselves.
And right now, Holiday Inn has a special. Stay 3 nights at any hotel they own, and get a 4th free in August. We plan on going back to Omaha in August for Sugarwings birthday to stay at this one again. I threw my back out on this trip, and didn't get to play in the water park. I sure enjoyed the hot tub, though. When we go back in August, I look forward to splashing around on all the slides.
Since I hurt my back, I won't be going to see Aunt Caroline this week. Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers for her health, it sounds like she is doing well. I hope that I can go to Florida to see her for her 101st birthday in June instead.
I enjoyed your lovely trip too, thanks for sharing. I love all your photos. It is great that your husband still has his mother and that she is still so young at heart too. That photo of Sugarwings with that giant dog is priceless. Good to hear that Aunt Caroline is doing well, perhaps it is more pleasant to everybody when you visit her for her 101st birthday! Still sending the good vibes, since you told us that they work! Have a great day!
Awesome picture of the baby looking up at the Lewis & Clark dog! She looks enchanted; I’d love to know what was going through her head at the time.
The photo of Sugarwings and the dog is so perfect! It sounds like a wonderful trip. Take care and feel better soon.
~Marilee
Spending time with family and having such tender memories is a blessing like no other.
What a lovely trip – both reliving memories and making new ones. The best of all worlds.
Lorrie
What sweet memories. And as for the darling photos.. Loved them! Glad you can a great time with sugarwings.
Thanks for all the pics. The Picture of Sugarwings looking at the dog is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
Looks like she had a blast.
I loved hearing your story, Karla. You and your mom have a lot to be proud of. Hope your back feels better soon.
Karla, that was such a sweet story! What a great mother you had, wonderful mother you are and unbelievable grandmother you are to sugarwings. You are such an inspiration and you should be very proud of yourself and all you’ve done. Thanks for sharing! XOXO
What beautiful memories Karla. I think I would cry too seeing the house again.
Looks like Sugarwings had the time of her life of this little trip with her grandparents.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
wow!! It sure seems like you had a fantastic trip. It’s so nice to hear how wonderful your mom was. Not everyone is so lucky. Also, it’s especially nice to see what a great grandma you are to Sugarwings (who, by the way, is too precious for words). I wish my kids grandmas were more like you. thanks for all the love you share.
Your mother’s home was beautiful. I know the pride of being able to take care of your loved ones without the help of “a man”. It sure is nice when one comes along who is willing to help though!
I just have to say that the picture with Sugar Wings and the statues is fantastic too!!
Karla:
Your story sure brought back, sad and glad memories for me as well. Its wonderful when families act like families, and help in time of need instead of lectures and passing judgement. Your Mom, helping you, and your sons, was no doubt a miracle.
That was a gorgeous house !
Miracles come in all shapes, types, and sizes. My Miracle was 6′ 3″, with brown hair and blue eyes, a tall, soft-spoken Humble Man, who loved me and my two kids.
Its been almost 20 years, and 4 children later, and I truly believe and angel visited my little apt, and matched us together. Some day, I’m going to tell the complete story, on my blog, when I get it up and running.
Missed your posts, too. Little Sugarwings is certainly full of life, and I hope your back gets better soon. I know about backs going out !
Love,
Deborah Woodrow
Colorado
Well, I guess it’s unanimous – the fave picture is off Sugarwings looking at that giant dog! (Oh, that includes me too 🙂 )
you must be very overwhelmed when you get to see your Mom’s . . . your family’s home. Memories must have come rushing through your mind. It is a beautiful feeling.
Li
What wonderful memories of your mom and now making some beautiful memories with Sugarwings…. priceless!
This was very emotional to read. What a wonderful story – with a happy ending! Sounds like a great trip. Now, take care of YOU! I’ll bet this is killing you having to “take it easy.” Be well. – Kathy in Chicago
Oh the memories these house pictures bring back, thank you so much for posting them. I was always so mad about spending spring breaks in ‘Iowa’ while all my friends were going to Florida…..what I’d give now to just have a few days with her again….love you!!!!
What a gorgeous old brick home you shared with your mom. Beautiful memories are a blessing!
So sorry your back went out on the trip, hope you feel better soon. Love the kid in a candy store pic of Sugarwings…darling!
It looks like Sugarwings had a great time…and your husband’s mom too. I’m sorry to hear your back went out, I hope you feel better soon.
what a beautiful home~ it looks like you had a lovely trip. what a great candy store.
101st birthday?! that is awesome!!!!
hope your back is better soon. have a great weekend.
What a great trip you had. And with Sugarwings. My folks took my nephew everywhere and had a great time with him. He now has a little baby girl on 4/18.
Love your Mom’s brick house and I sure hope Aunt Caroline lives longer than 102….the stories and things she must have seen in all those years. Think of the changes that have happened. Great stories, thanks for sharing them. Hope your back gets better!!
Karla,
How I identified with you about being divorced and raising kids on your own. My Mom has been a great help to me, too. Your Mom was an angel to have helped you. Sometimes we don’t like the challenges life hands us but it makes it so much more worthwhile when can over come them, women are a lot stronger and capable than some men will give us credit for. What kind of a real man leaves a woman penniless and alone with 2 kids!! GRRRR!
Sugarwings looks like she is having a blast.
She is such a doll. Glad that you enjoyed seeing all the good “old” places. I do that when I come to KC. Take care of your back and get out and stretch frequently on your way back. (Been there, believe me!!)
Have a safe trip home.
..GREAT pics! Memories are what make us are what we are today…happy or sad….we learn from them and savor them…
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK!!! I have herniated discs..that flare up now and then to let me know they are there…
hugz and love
Great pictures Karla. The one with great grandma in the swing is priceless!! What a great hotel for kids.
Hope your back is feeling better. Oh and I laughed out loud when I saw the picture of your shoes in the previous post. Too funny!!
Your moms home was lovely! I love the arch ways above all the doors and windows…and that roof! How sweet that she took care of you and the boys….and she sounds so much like my mom…..strong and independent…and no man needed!
The trip looks like so much fun! All the pictures are just so great! I can’t wait to spoil my grandbabies…..when I get them….uh…it can wait a few more years!
Wow…I’m planning a trip back with my daughter and granddaughter to Oklahoma, and will see my Mother’s house again. My older sister is seriously ill, so the trip will be filled with memories, new and old. We’ve decided to drive and I will stop and get (hopefully) some precious photos like yours.
Get better really soon…..I know what back problems can be like, and wish you the best of vibes!
I’m sorry you hurt your back and couldn’t play with Sugarwings. I don’t remember that Holiday Inn when I lived in Omaha.
Your husband’s mother looks so cute in that swing!!!
Blessings,
Christine
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to your Mother. My Mom was the same kind of can-do woman who pretty much did it on her own with virtually no education. She remains one of my most admired and interesting people. You brought back nice memories.
I forgot to say that indeed Sugarwings is charmingly adorable. Isn’t being a grandmother the absolute best?!!!
Wow, that is very interesting with that house in Sioux City! Love to read about your life!:)
Karla, What a great post…I have tears in my eyes…Your mom seemed like such an amazing women…I just loved her home…That had to be hard seeing other people living there…Sugarwings looked like she had such an amazing time…She’s such a little cutie…
STephenie
Mom’s do what needs to be done — no questions asked. I, too, moved back home as a young single mom. Thank God for my parents is all I can say.
Omaha is surprisingly cosmopolitan, isn’t it? My husband and I lived there for about 3 years and loved it — but not the humidity 🙂
I worked at KETV there and really enjoyed the amazing restaurants downtown in the Old Market. The French Cafe and Vivace being my favorites.
That house is wonderful and it’s a wonderful story, too. I’m glad you could spend some time there.
And the photos of Ms. SWings are great! As always!