Thank God for family reunions, Part 2

For those of us with kids, you will find this story amazing! God does have mercy on us as parents when we have long trips. For several weeks, Stephen and I had been planning a trip to Dothan, AL. Every year, Stephen's mother's side of the family has a cook out at his cousin's, Glenda, house. So this year, was no different. Our weekend agenda was the family cook out, go to Dothan and see Micheal and Tammy and go to Panama City Beach.

We had to be in Ozark, where Glenda lives, at 10:30 am on Saturday. This would mean that the Bass family would have to be out of the door at 6:30AM. For those of you who have known me for a long time - this ain't happening. There is no way that I can get myself and two kids up and dressed and out of the door for a 6 hour trip at this time of the morning.

So we decided to go to Prattville and spend the night, adn then get up Saturday morning to go to Ozark. This worked beautifully. So we get to the hotel in Prattville. Very nice and accomadating. All the kids wanted to do was to go swimming - it had an indoor pool. Okay, fact number one. See I can't understand why women get so upset every summer because their swimsuit does not fit right. MINE HAS NEVER FIT RIGHT! Therefore, it is no surprise to me each summer when I look down to find that intertube around my waist. The kids had fun in the pool, and then every guest of Country Inn and Suites, got to see me almost do a belly flop into the hot tub. Yes, I said belly flop. No one bothered to tell me there were two steps into the hot tub. So as I am "gracefully" trying to get my big behind in the hot tub, I step off of what I thought was the only step, and near about kill myself! So once all that was over, we went back to the room - to sleep.

Well we got to the family reunion. It was great! This is just about the only time that we get to see Maw Maw's side of the family unless someone dies. You all know that it is the truth. We cooked out hamburgers and swam and all that good stuff! We left Glenda's, Stephen's cousin, about two. Tami and Micheal, our friends in Dothan, had a wedding on Saturday morning and visitation Saturday night. So we did not try to do anything with them on Saturday. Sunday we went to their house and cooked out steak and potatoes. Oh my goodness those were the biggest, most tender perfectly cooked steaks I have ever put in my mouth. It was so great to get to spend some time with them. I just wish we had not had to leave. We get to see Micheal more often since he married Tami, but I just hate that it is so far away.

On the way back home, we decided to stop through Grimes, Alabama. This is a very small little town, but it is where Stephen's grandparents are buried - both sets. He tells me Big Mama stories. She died when Stephen was real young. It is a beautiful place. The cemetary is beside a church. There is a huge oak tree there that has to be over 100 years old. As you know Stephen's dad died in March. He and the kids are still having problems - I am too. Anyway, we sat down under the oak tree and talked about the "good times." It was a beautiful day. There was not a cloud in the sky. It was not too hot or windy. It was the most peaceful place. After we left the cemetary, we went to Aunt Sara's house. This is Paw Paw's only living sibling. She is 80 years old. She was so surprised to see us. I think that was the highlight of the trip. We were glad to see everybody, but sitting under the oak tree is what the kids will remember. Finally, life in south Alabama is just a little slower than it is here. It sure was nice to be there - that is at a slow pace.

Thank God for family reunions

yes, i said thank God for family reunions. we will be away this weekend to a family reunion. after surviving a few hours having our cheeks pinched and told how to raise our children, we are leaving for the beach. also, a couple that we are good friends with will be going with us. I am so ready for a vacation even if it is over a weekend. we are in prattville right now and just got through swimming. kids are tired and parents are happy. i will write more after we get back. i hope i am not cooked like a lobster. lots of love.

Free at last....

Good Lord in heaven!!!! It is so nice to be loved and wanted! Can you believe after 2 years, I actually sat down and ate my lunch! My GI tract probably thought they had been transplanted. I had my first day at Medical Center East today. It was soooooooooooooooooo different than DHR. I was actually welcomed with a smile, told that as long as you get in 8 hours "it will all wash" and someone actually was concerned that I may have gotten left upstairs. My husband said this was a cush job compared to where I came from. I am so happy. I left work today with enough energy to mop my kitchen floor, eat supper and help Jamie study for her science semester test!!!!!!! Tomorrow is a new day and thank God for it! Love to all!

I'm Back

ok, how long has it been since i posted? a very long time. things have been so crazy around here. just as things started to settle down, i resigned from DHR, my dad left for montana, jacob lost a front tooth and stephen has bid on a new job at blue cross. the only person that has any walking around sense right now is jamie. good lord! anyway, i start work monday at medical center east as a medical social worker. this is what i love. this is what i have done all of my social work life except for that part at dhr - otherwise known as the department of hell! i will be working ont he dialysis unit and medical intensive care. i think it will be a very eye opening experience to work on the dialysis unit considering that i have diabetes and jamie only has one kidney.

jacob lost one of his front teeth - only after it turned brown and lost the blood supply. he is so not into pain. he is having a hard time with paw paw's death and then my dad, papa, left for montana for four months. he is ready for school to be out so he can get just as dirty as he wants to.

stephen has bid on a job at blue cross that would be a very sweet promotion - to the tune of my salary. yes i would keep working because when i am at home i realize how dirty my house is. it is hard to believe he has been at bcbs for 8 years. it must really be nice to work for "the caring company". i think i have made a good move to medical center east. they have recently merged with st. vincent's hospital. this is a good merger because it is now a christian based hospital. children and family comes first. pay is good and more opportunity for promotion.

my sister has lost 123 pounds at last count. the doctors wanted her to have lost 156 pounds by august. i am sure that she will meet that goal. i wish i could lose just 40 pounds.

i am disappointed in that the insulin pump that i had been so excited about is not going to be approved by the fda any time soon. so i am going to have to go back to the doctor and find another one. my diabetes is pretty brittle right now. i can't wait any longer. but when it is ready i know that God will make a way.

i think i have covered everything that has been going on - some of what has been going on i will not discuss over a blog. but those of you who have a clue what i am talking about can call. those of you who don't can still call. love to all.