SC to Seattle...

Friday was pretty much a full day traveling back to Seattle.

I was up at 3am, our flight from Greenville was supposed to leave at 5:50am, but when we got to the airport... it had been delayed to 12:30pm. Which goofed up the entire rest of the connections.

So after waiting in really long lines with people that had been stranded over night... we began making changes to our reservations in an attempt not to get stuck in the mid-west for Christmas.

It was a very long tedious process, but finally we found a way out and connections that might get us back to Seattle in one day.... but it meant we would have to drive to Charolette NC to catch the first flight.

Luckily Mom's 1st cousin, Wilma came to give us hugs, and see us off at the airport... and was willing to drive us to Charolette! It is about 1 1/2 hours from Greenville.

We made in time, and it took almost the entire 2 hours to get through the lines and security because someone thought we would be good candidates for "special searching"... which means they pat you down and go through everything in your bags thoroughly and completely!

Not a big deal, just slows you down a little.

The decorations in the airports were beautiful!

I loved the trees in Seattle and they even had a snow machine dropping snow down on them continuously... it was a beautiful awesome sight! Even though we were excited and running to meet my sister outside... I had to stop and take a picture even though it doesn't really do it justice.

After I arrived at my parents, I got an update from my Dad on all the current weather conditions and storms coming through... and it looked like a doosey was going to hit on Saturday and Sunday on the mountain passes. So my strong silent mysterious man packed up the car and the dogs and the teenager, and decided to drive at night, and instead of leaving in the morning... in hopes to get through before these storms that we being predicted.

Needless to say, with my entire life packed up in a car driving over two snow covered mountain passes... I did not sleep very well. I finally called them at 5am this morning and it was a great relief to hear their voices and know they were safe and in Yakima... just one more pass to get through and they could do that one in the daylight... much easier.

I can't wait until they get here... I am so excited!!

Brotherly Love...

Today, I was so excited my big brother was going to take me riding!
But at this point, I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into... "hiking my leg up over my head to where"?

Okay, now I needed some really clear instructions... stopping and turning... pretty important, pay attention!
I know, don't get too cocky... but this was pretty fun.
Especially since I started out in a circle... Miss Gracie and I had that down, no problem.
I would have almost ventured to call us buddies even.

I just need a cute pink cowboy hat with lots of bling and I am all set!

By the end of the circles I was ready for the big pasture! It was all good, a beautiful day, nice weather, Gracie just tucked in behind Callie and we rode off into the sunset.

Until we were headed back to the barn!
She got in a big ol' hurry to get back to the barn and as I was white knuckling the reigns holding on for my life... my big brother yells out from behind me "she'll only go as far as the barn door, and then she'll stop"!
That was comforting... deep down I knew if I was in any trouble, he would have been riding up along beside my like a knight in shinning armor. However, it did make me realize in the blink of an eye, that Miss Gracie was in control the entire time... not me!
This was her fun outing, and I was just along for the ride.
But I did appreciate all the laps around the arena, that she allowed me feel like a princess cowgirl!

Happy Birthday ~ Mama...

HAPPY 93rd BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!

Today is Mama's birthday. She had flowers delivered from Mary Angela and Frank!

Beautiful Tulips!!!

Sadly, she had to go see the doctor on her birthday... that is a bummer, even if you don't remember it is your birthday.

But the good news is she is in perfect physical health!

But this week, she has had a really hard time and realizes she can't remember anything. Which is causing her to be fretful and worried about what she has forgotten.

So when we finished at the doctor, we took her back to where she lives just in time to get her back into her regular routine for lunch.

Mom is the best at making your birthday really special just for you... and coconut cake is Mama's favorite! But we decided to not do the big birthday celebration, since it was causing her to be very unhappy everytime someone wished her a happy birthday.

I know she doesn't realize a lot, and this is just a necessary time and season in her life. I know we are given these trials in our lives for a reason, and I just hope I am learning what I am supposed to be learning through it all.

Big brother Jim has been an angel from heaven, and so patient and kind with her. And so far he is the only one she hasn't "dismissed"!

(You have never been dismissed, until you have been dismissed by Miss Shirley!)

Happy Birthday Mama! I pray you will get better and be happier in the days ahead.