Today took a slight turn that I wasn’t expecting…a super fun trip down memory lane!  This morning I dropped Morgan off at church at 8 am to participate in the Fall Serve Day.  These amazing teens volunteer their time on a Saturday to help families in need with yard work. Even though Morgan could not participate the whole day, I’m so proud of her for getting up early on her day off and doing what she could for the time she had available!  It was a chilly start to the morning so Reecie snuggled up on the couch…no yard work for this little gal!Morgan sent me the address of where her work group was located so I could get her picked up for her noon soccer game.  The rest of them were scheduled to keep working until 4pm. What I didn’t realize is the address was only about a mile from where I grew up!!  We had a little extra time, so I decided to drive down the streets that I went up and down millions of times over the course of my childhood!  It was so much fun for me and I loved sharing the experience with Morgan.  She’s at the age where she actually cares about where her mom came from!

It’s a beautiful Fall afternoon and I’m hanging out of my car taking pictures of my old stomping grounds.  I’m surprised people weren’t calling the police on the strange black minivan loitering around!  I escaped safely.  This is the house I grew up in – 2000 Cherokee Lane in Olathe, KS.  It looks quite a bit different now!  I have so many memories of fun times in this house and in this neighborhood!!  We rode our bikes constantly around here, played kick the can, tether-ball, basketball, and so many fun things.  Awwww…the good ol’ days when we didn’t have electronics!!  And of course I can say this now that I’m older and can no longer get grounded by my parents, a lot of parties occurred at the Michie household!  Don’t get any ideas kids….19602 W. 97th Terrace is going to be put on lock down.

I can’t believe they still have these yucca plants…remember these, Shauna and Greg?  We had quite a few in our yard.

My parents moved out of this house when I was in college and needless to say, I was reluctant to leave after all those years.  They moved to their current house in Spring Hill, and it was just too far out of the big city for me!  I think I slept in this house even after most everything had been moved out.

Around the corner, is 1405 Pawnee Drive, home to the Catalina family, who still live there!! I swear I spent half my childhood with my BFF, Lisa, or Lee as I call her, and her sister Amy, going back and forth between these two houses.   I think Lonnie and Jim probably got a little bit tired of having me around but they were the best days ever I swear!!I strolled just a little further towards my elementary school and found the house of one of my other best childhood friends…Chesley.  Her parents no longer live here but they still live very close to the area.  I guess none of us have strayed too far!Here is Scarborough Elementary where I went to school – Kindergarten through 6th grade. My mom was the secretary there for several of our school years.  Like all the houses, it looks a bit different too.  I remember my 5th grade class being in a trailer beside the school!  Scarborough Elementary has come a long way!My final stop was to Cara Chiaverini’s house, another childhood bestie.  I must admit I’m proud of myself for finding all of these houses because they do look different than I remember and the neighborhoods have expanded quite a bit.I’m feeling so blessed to still be best friends with all of my girls from elementary school…how cool is that!?   So lucky!

Morgan, Jake, Drew, and Reece, I hope all of you develop lifelong friendships too!  Keep in touch, be kind, and have so much fun with your friends…you will be super happy you did when you’re older!

Much love to all my friends & their families, my brother and sister, and my parents who gave me an awesome childhood in the big city of Olathe, KS!