Last Thursday, Blossom had her first therapy session at Vet Rec.  She has another session today.  My next post will be pictures and a video from her hydro and laser therapies.

Scott and I took Mom and Dad for a quick getaway to Hilton Head Island, SC this week.  We try to visit HHI every few years but, it had been a long time since we had been with my parents.

Double Digit Daniel

Daniel turned 10 years old on Saturday.  Lucky Daniel, he celebrated his birthday at the beach!  Kevin texted this picture to me from Joe's Crab Shack.  They gave him a sombrero to wear while he ate his birthday meal.   You know me, all I can think is "There ain't no way I'm putting that thing on my head."  I can almost feel the lice crawling in my hair!  

Overdue

I'm calling this post "Overdue" for several reasons.  One is because a family vacation was long overdue for us but also, because this was supposed to happen the week that Hurricane Florence showed up over a month ago.  Please forgive me for the picture overload....I want to document this for the future.  If you look at all of the pictures...I will be surprised.  

After almost 4 hours of driving across North Carolina, we made it to Holden Beach.  

Home Sweet Home

After another tranquil morning at the beach yesterday, we made the 3 hour drive home.  I went straight to the hospital to see my dad.  

Dad is doing really well.  He finally seems like himself again.  His youngest sister, Zell, came by tonight and the three of us had so much fun talking and laughing.  Dad is the 7th out of 9 children.  Zell is #9.  Sidebar:  My mom is child #14 in her family.  I come from 2 big Southern farming families!  

Tomorrow the doctor is going to shock dad's heart back into rhythm (hopefully).  After all that we have been through, it is hard not to be anxious.  Words can't describe what it is like sitting in a hospital waiting room and hearing the Code Blue call to your loved one's room.  I never want to experience that again.  

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon you, because he trusts in You."   Isaiah 26:3

Far From Home

I'm actually only 3 hours from home but today, it feels like I'm on an entirely different planet.

Just before I took this picture, I received a text from my brother that my Dad was back in the hospital.  He was taken by ambulance last night at 1:00 a.m.  Even though my heart and prayers have been with Dad and my family all day, selfishly, I'm glad I wasn't there.  My heart is weary from all of the emergency trips and hospital stays that my Dad has endured since June.  I'm tired of watching my dad suffer and my mom worry.  I'm tired of all of the "what-ifs" and "if only's".  I'm tired of the tears (I cry easily).  I'm tired of being a grown up.  I'm glad we will be headed home tomorrow so that I can hug my dad and support my mom.

If you look close enough, you can see Scott sitting on the beach.   And...if you listen close enough, you might be able to hear the waves.  

While I will miss the salt air and the ocean waves....I can't wait to get home and see these two furry faces.

Time for some chocolate milk.  

In A Car On A Boat

Today I rode in a car on a boat.

Scott and I decided to go to the aquarium at Fort Fisher. We knew that we were taking a ferry however, we thought it was like the ferries that go to Bald Head Island.  As we got ready to park our car and get on the boat, they told us to drive it on the boat.  Indulge me while I post some photos.

That large body of water you see is the Cape Fear River.

There's our car in the background.  I know I'm a little goofy but something seems funny to me about my car being on a boat!  This bird rode with us the entire 30 minute trip.

That time I put my head in an alligator's mouth

I realize this really isn't their face but it sure looks like it

What a difference a day makes.  Hurricane Jose has moved North and the ocean at Holden Beach is calm again.

Coming tomorrow....I'm going to Calabash, North Carolina for the first time in several years.  Calabash is the "Seafood Capital of the World".  I can't wait!!!!  

September Sunday

Look who came to visit my dad today.  Balto isn't allowed on beds but he couldn't resist saying hello to his Papaw.  He actually started out beside him with his head on his pillow.  

Since Dad is doing a little better, Scott and I decided to visit the beach for a few days.  We drove down this afternoon and here we are....

We are staying in the Turtle Shack

I'm looking forward to swimming in the private pool tomorrow.  

Thankfully we are missing Hurricane Jose but he left a few clouds tonight.

"Let the sea set you free."

Sunrise Over the Atlantic

Pictures taken with my HTC phone on Friday, August 20, 2013 at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  No filter used.  I took many, many photos which makes it really cool to scroll fast on my phone!  I thought I'd try to only post a few here.  TRY. 

I was surprised at how quickly it happened and...how cool it was even though I always try to watch the sunrise at least once when I'm at the beach.  I guess it just never gets old watching the sunrise!  I'll post more photos from our trip very soon (hopefully this weekend).