Back Home Again!!

Well, we got home from South Carolina late yesterday afternoon. We were all completely worn out, but it's so good, always good, to be back home, again.

Abby and I left for South Carolina on Friday afternoon with Brittany and two of her cross country teammates. I had to drive them to Furman University for their meet on Saturday afternoon. It took us a good 2 1/2 hours to get there, rather than the expected 2, because we were following another family and we got lost several times! That's pretty bad when a MAN pulls over and asks ME for directions! Not good, not good, at all! What's even worse is that we both have GPS devices in our vehicles and we STILL got turned around! Oh, where was Chris when I needed him?

Abby finally gave him a call. He was actually already at Furman and was able to give us step by step details on how to get there. Thank goodness! It always comes so easy for him! So, after several more minutes, we made it there, no worse for wear...well, almost!

The girls (8 of them) and the coaches ran the course so they would be better prepared for the race. We took all their smelly bodies to the hotel where we stayed so they could shower before dinner. Definitely a SMART decision!
The coaches had said we'd be going to Olive Garden for dinner, but since Furman was having their homecoming, we opted to go to a local pizza pub to avoid the crowds. The food was actually pretty good and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We all left and went back to the hotel for some much needed rest...it had been a LONG day.

The next morning, we all ate a quick breakfast at the hotel, then it was off to Furman to watch some college teams compete. I kept thinking...that could be Brittany in about a year and a half! It was very exciting to watch! Right before our girls ran, my brother-in-law and a close family friend showed up, as well as my husband's cousin. They all came to watch Brittany compete.

The varsity girls' race started at 12:30 PM They ran on a golf course, so it was pretty hilly. There was a total of 282 girls in the race. Brittany finished in 18th place overall and first on her team with a time of 20:42. We knew that it wasn't going to be a PR course because of the hills. The team placed 10th overall out of 41 teams, so we were all very proud of them.

Once the race was over, we drove to Chris' mom's house. It was Abby's 12th birthday, so we had a little celebration for her that evening. We wanted to do something to make her feel special and I think she really appreciated it. She was thrilled because she got a Jonas Brothers CD, a Jonas Brothers shirt, a Camp Rock calendar, and a Jonas Brothers poster. I ask you...does it get much better than that?

My father-in-law's funeral was on Sunday afternoon. We all attended church together on Sunday morning, came home and rested for a bit, then we had to head back at 2 PM. The service was very nice. The part that got me is when the choir sang, "Jesus Loves Me". As my father-in-law's disease progressed, he rapidly lost the ability to speak. However, when his caregiver, Ann, came over, she'd always sing, "Jesus Loves Me" to him and often, he would sing or hum along with her. So, the song held special meaning for that very reason. He was buried with full military honors, complete with a 21-gun salute and the presentation of the American flag to my mother-in-law. Very touching, to say the least. Everyone seems to be at peace knowing my father-in-law is finally HOME.

When we got home yesterday afternoon we all had so much to to catch up on. Homework, laundry, unpacking/packing... Chris had to leave this morning at 5:30 AM for Mobile, Alabama where he'll be working the next several days. It's really quite an adjustment for me having him gone, again, after being home for the past 6 months. Of course, it's a good thing, so I dare not complain. Afterall, when he's on the road, I get full control of the remote. No FOX Sports for me!!! I do wonder, though, what might happen while he's away...Will the faucet spring a leak? Will the closet door fall off it's hinges? Will the fridge stop working? Something ALWAYS happens when Chris is away. Hopefully, this will be a catastrophe-free week!!

I almost forgot to write about Brittany and Andrew...so much for my wishes for a catastrophe-free week, I'm afraid. She is very uspset with him because he didn't bother to call her one time while we were in South Carolina to see how she was holding up. When she brought it up during their phone conversation after we got home, his "excuse" was that it was his mom's birthday and he couldn't find the time. He, actually, hung up on her yesterday afternoon! Oh, the very nerve of that boy!! He may not realize it, but when he messes with Brittany, he's messing with ME! So, this may very well be the beginning of the end! It doesn't hurt to dream, does it? I'll keep you posted!!

Brittany and me before her race...

Brittany is on the far left #1843...
Rounding the first mile...

The birthday girl and her Jonas Brothers CD....

Opening more gifts...

She may be 12, but she'll always be my little girl...