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...

On This Day...I Remember

On this very day in 1996, I gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Abigail Grace. We, of course, call her Abby. She entered the world at 3:15 PM at Huntsville Hospital in Alabama. It was pure love at first sight. I remember sitting on the hospital bed and just holding her for hours. I'd stroke her head and whisper sweet nothings to her all day long. I could hardly believe she was ours!

You see, our being able to have Abby was quite a journey. About a year after Brittany was born(4 1/2 years before Abby), I suffered two miscarriages within a 9- month period. It was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, and something I'll never forget.

After my miscarriages, we underwent two years of unexplained infertility. Chris and I had all sort of tests to determine what was going on. I was told I most likely had a condition called Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome. With this condition, the mother's body sees the fetus as being a foreign object and it fights hard to reject it, resulting in a miscarriage. Also, the blood is somewhat "sticky" and clots easily. I even had our fertility doctor tell me that Brittany was probably very fortunate to have made it full-term, as she weighed only 5 lbs. at birth.

The course of treatment for me was to take a baby aspirin everyday during my entire pregnancy with Abby. That made me uneasy, but I trusted my doctor and I had a lot of faith in God. She was born perfectly healthy at 6 lbs. 15 oz. Her middle name is Grace because we knew had it not been for the grace of God , we wouldn't have had her.

Abby has been such a blessing to us since that day. She's filled our lives with laughter and joy. She has grown into such a caring person, always looking out for those less fortunate than herself. She has one of the sweetest and most tender hearts I've ever known. I can't tell you the times she's written me a note or drawn me a picture just to add a bright spot to my day. One that I have in a frame was written when she was 7 years old. She wrote, "To Mom: I think my mom is the coolest. She helps me when I'm sick and hungry and afraid. When I'm crying, she wipes my tears. I love her so so so much!" I will treasure that forever. She often comes over to me and hugs my neck or gives me a kiss without even having to ask.

She is growing up, it seems, in the blink of an eye and I find myself wanting to shout, "Stop and stay just as you are!" Of course, I realize that's never going to happen. I think it's the fact that she's my baby, my very last child to raise. There will be no more after her...only grand babies to spoil rotten someday.

So, for now, I'll relish in the time I have to enjoy her and watch her evolve into a beautiful young woman. I can't believe that God chose me 12years ago to become Abby's mom! I feel blessed, humbled, and so very thankful for such a wonderful gift...the best I could have ever received!

I love you, Abby!! Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

You will always be my baby...


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I remember telling my brother, Kevin, that Abby, his second niece, was going to be born on his birthday! He was so excited! What are the chances of that happening? It was pretty amazing and, yet, one more reason to celebrate.

Kevin was 10 years old than me. We weren't particularly close when I was growing up because, by the time I was 7 or 8 years old, he was out of the house and doing his own thing. Sadly, I have very few memories of him when I was younger, but I always felt protected by him. I do remember him giving me a pearl ring for my 9th birthday. I wore it with pride and I still have it to this very day. I, also, recall demanding that he turn off Star Trek so that I could watch Gilligan's Island after school. He'd usually give in to my request. Such is life with a little sister, I guess. Not very fair, but true.

Kevin and I didn't form a really close bond and friendship until I was much older. In fact, he's the one who set up the blind date I went on and met my husband. I remember Kevin walking in the room and telling me, "Little sis, you might be getting a phone call from someone soon." He had that sheepish grin on his face, which made me question what he was up to. Well, apparently, he had very good taste because Chris and I were engaged only 3 short months after our blind date, and we've been married almost 19 years. Crazy, huh?

After I got married, Kevin moved to Virginia to work. He'd call me nearly every day after he got home from work. We'd talk about anything and everything, just like two best friends. He was a great listener and offered me some of the best advice when I needed it. We shared a lot of laughs together; he had a great sense of humor. Over the years, we formed a very strong relationship. We loved each other, and respected our differences.

Well, in late 2001, Kevin began to lose weight rapidly and he was having a hard time eating. It wasn't long, thereafter, that he was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. It was a hard blow for us all, particularly after losing my mom only about a year earlier.

Kevin underwent radical surgery to have his stomach removed, but he was such a trouper. He fought hard to remain as positive and strong as he could. Unfortunately, though, he lost his battle in the summer of 2002. He was only 47 years old.

I miss Kevin so much. I miss his laughter, his friendship, and his kind-hearted ways. He taught me more than he'll ever know. He showed me how to live life to the very fullest and to never be afraid to take chances. He made me realize that life is for living right here and now, and not putting it off until tomorrow. His zest for life was contagious.

So, Kevin, Happy Birthday! I know you're in heaven surrounded by Mom, Dad, and other family members who've gone on before. I will never forget you and what you gave me during your short time here. You were, and always will be, a blessing to me. I'm so proud to have been your sister! I love you!

Until we meet, again...