Thank You...

I just wanted to make a quick post to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who wrote nice comments in the obit guest book on the Anniston Star website. Everyone has been so sweet to send cards and offer their condolences. You don't know how much comfort it has given me to know that I have so many people keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. Thank you again everyone!!!

Jaylyn's First Braves Game

Last weekend we took Jaylyn to Turner Field for her first ever Major League Baseball game. She loved it. We have made a poster that read "MY 1ST BRAVES GAME" in hopes of getting her on tv. We had the game recording at home on the dvr just in case. With over 50,000 people attending the game we were not lucky enough to make it on. But the usher for our section came over to tell Jaylyn he admired her persistance. A few minutes later he came back with a Braves sticker, a 1st game pin, and a biggest fan pin. Needless to say she was thrilled. We also had the privelge of taking her to her first concert. The All American Rejects played a special concert after the game. We are hoping to make another game before the season ends. Chuck and Jaylyn were ready to go back the next day.

Plans Change Part 2

As most of you who read this blog already know my father passed away on July 12. Even though I knew it was coming soon, I never imagined it would happen this quickly. I was prepared for a few weeks of driving to Atlanta to see him.

The last time I saw my dad was the day before he passed. Chuck and I got up early and drove to Atlanta to the Embracing Hospice Center (who by the way, are the nicest nurses you will ever meet). The doctors had him on so much morphine that he couldn't stay awake and alert for more than a minute at a time. My uncle Danny woke him up to tell him that we were there and I leaned over to hug him. A few moments later he was sleeping again. So we just let him sleep and be comfortable. My aunt Peggy and I took the time to discuss what needed to be done and when. Her thinking as well that we had a few weeks. Other family member came to visit and we decided to clear out after lunch. He woke up long enough for me to tell him goodbye and I loved him. He mumbled an I love you too as best he could. That's when I lost it. Sobbing loudly into my aunts arms as she started to cry with me.

I called Peggy after lunch on Sunday. I assumed she would go to church before she went to see dad. She said he was about the same as the day before. He had a few days before refused to take a certain medication and wasn't eating or drinking very much. Basically he was ready to didn't want to prolong it I believe. About 3:30 Sunday afternoon Chuck, Jaylyn and I started on our way to my mom's to go to vacation bible school. The phone rings. My aunt Brenda called to tell me he's gone...that was her exact words. I'll never forget.

It's been about a week and a half now. It still doesn't seem real somehow. I know people have to deal with the loss of parents every day but I guess we all do it differently. Anyway that's what the past week or so has been for me.

Plans change

You know, I always thought when it came to losing someone close to me that knowing it was coming and being able to prepare yourself would make it easier. I guess to so degree it does, but there is just a whole other type of grief to deal with. I just found out Monday that my dad probably only has a month or less to live. Right now the doctors are saying the only thing they can do is make him comfortable. Luckily my aunt doesn't work so she is able to be there with him during the day to find out what the doctors are saying. Even though we haven't had a close relationship, at the end of the day he is my dad. Without him I wouldn't be alive. Anyone who reads this just please keep us both in your prayers. I am confident that God has a plan and purpose for us all. And I know that soon he will be with my grandmother and they will both be guardian angles looking after me.

Beach Bums

I can't believe the weekend went by so quickly. Thursday after work Jessica and I left for the beach. Ahhh...a beach vacation. The room was nice with a great ocean view, nice pool area and plenty of white sandy beach to layout and tan. We spent most of the day Friday on the beach...mostly commenting of the swimsuit choices of the other women. Saturday we did a little shopping, spent some tan time at the pool. Then we wandered down the beach to visit the Tiki Bar for a couple of daiquiris. Then we got a wild idea to get tattoos. Jessica got cherries and I got a "W" on the inside of my ankle. Crazy, I know. Then we got ready to go out to dinner. After fighting the firework seeker traffic on the strip we finally (after about an hour) found a parking spot. We still had to walk a country mile to get to Margaritaville to eat. We sat outside and ate dinner and watched fireworks. After the hike to the restaurant in heels Jessica was about ready to crawl to the car...lol...all women know how that feels. By Sunday morning at check out time we were both wishing for at least one more day to be beach bums. So here we are back at work...it was nice while it lasted!!