Healing {one day at a time}

A week ago I had surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. I had surgery done in May 2010 for the same thing, however this surgery was much more in depth. Since the size of the cyst was rather large, my doctor had to preform a csection. I completely under estimated the pain and recovery time. Surgery was at noon and I didn't get discharged from the hospital until 1 pm on Saturday.

Once I got home, I was in a lot of pain. Getting into our tall bed was awful, I dreaded having to get up to use the restroom. Basically for the last week, I've been doing nothing but laying around. Matt has become the chef, nanny, housekeeper, and nurse for the past week. I think it's been an eye opening experience for him, especially having to deal with Connor 100% of the time. Today is the first day that I've felt somewhat like myself. My follow up is next Tuesday and I hope to get a good report. I know I have a few more weeks of healing, but I'm looking forward to getting back to our normal life!

This should go without saying, but we couldn't have made it this week without the help of our family...thanks!

Just Another Day In My Life...

Below is a text message that I sent Matt last week.  There never seems to be a dull moment in my life, especially with a two and a half year old!

He calls his Memphis football jersey, his football game shirt.  (This is his "say cheese" face)

An Unexpected Family Reunion

This past weekend we drove up to Terre Haute, Indiana for a very unexpected family reunion.  My mom and Roy were headed to a family reunion in Lynchburg, Virginia when they received the heartbreaking phone call that her brother had been killed in a tragic accident.

When my mom called me, I was completely shocked and speechless.  All I could picture in my head was my loving uncle sitting across from me at breakfast a year ago when we were all in Atlanta for my cousin's wedding. Looking back, I definitely took that time for granted and wish I could go back. 

The funeral was Saturday afternoon and the entire family came in town.  It was good to see cousins and aunts/uncles that I haven't seen in years, however, I wish it would have been for different circumstances.  Since my uncle was retired Airforce, he had a military funeral.  The 21 gun salute made my heart stop and tears flow down my face, it was a very emotionally draining weekend. 

This accident was a reminder that tomorrow is never a guarantee and not to take life for granted.

Cousins

About a month ago, my cousin and his family stopped in on their way to Florida.  We all met for BBQ at my mom's and let the kids plays.  He has a son, Garrett, who is 7 and a daughter, Chloe, who is 2.  Of course the first 15 minutes were spent with Connor literally attached to my leg playing the shy game.  After that he was good to go.  It was a very hot August evening and the kids were drenched with sweat, but that didn't seem to phase them!

Sweet Chloe, she had so much personality

Garrett was trying to wrangle the two young ones!

Why is it that I spend so much money on toys...

and all he wants to do is play in the wind chime!

Garrett was the only one listening when we said "SMILE"

Then I got the look, the "I'm outta here, catch me if you can" look!

Germantown Festival

Last weekend we attended the Germantown Festival with Gigi and Big Daddy.  We went first thing Saturday morning before it got crowded and before the day heated up.  There didn't seem to be as many booths as there has been in the past, but we still saw some really cute things.  There was one particular booth I was looking for, a winter hat for Connor, but it wasn't there this year...very disappointing!  As soon as we walked up to the festival, Connor spotted the rides and wouldn't stop talking about going on them.  I only had to tell him almost a hundred times that we would go after we walked past all the booths.

Could he look anymore pitiful???

Patiently waiting...

There was this sweet girl who helped him through the inflatable obstacle...bless her heart

Yes he is wearing boots with shorts, but I couldn't convince him to wear anything else!

He LOVED the swings!

No joke, this ride lasted more than 5 minutes

Then he tried out the airplanes

Not nearly as fun as the swings

And he ended his fun morning on the playground.  After a tantrum of throwing himself on the ground, it was time to call it quits and head home for a nap.

Big Phil's 50th Birthday

Last Friday night, we attended Big Phil's "surprise" birthday party.  Big Phil is Chase's dad and Matt used to eat at their house every night for dinner during his college years.  Big Phil and Ms. Cheri are some of the sweetest people you'll meet, they'd do anyhing to help you out.

Chase, Matt, and Ryan

Cassie and Chase

Here I am with my grandma sweater, that's what Matt calls it

Matt, Ryan, and Jacob

Jacob, Ryan, Matt, Chase, Paul, and Ryan S.

Big Phil with the guys...never a dull moment with this group!

Gigi's Birthday Lunch

Gigi's birthday was September 7th, however, we weren't able to celebrate until this past weekend.  We decided on doing lunch after church this past Sunday before Connor's nap.  I thought he would have enough steam left in him, but I was wrong.  I don't think he lasted more than 20 minutes!  Oh well, at least we were in the corner of the restuarant so it didn't bother me too much.

Gigi wanted to take pictures first thing, which was a good idea

Attempt #1

Attempt #2...I think I got a semi decent picture on my mom's camera; however, this is a good depiction of our life with Connor!

Punta Cana {Part 1}

(Since I have to get some pictures from Cassie, I'll have to do two separate posts on Punta Cana.)

About 2 weeks ago, Matt and I went on a quick trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with Chase and Cassie.  We've been planning this trip since the end of February and to be honest I thought the day would never come!

Memphis Airport bright and early

We left Memphis bright and early on Wednesday morning and headed to our connection flight in Atlanta.  After a long day of flying and waiting, we ended up getting to the Dominican around 3 in the afternoon.  Once we arrived, we scooped up our luggage and had a short taxi ride to the resort.

The Punta Cana airport is an outside airport aka no air conditioning (Matt's worst nightmare)

We stayed at the Majestic and ended up getting "upgraded" to a pool suite rooms.  The Majestic has 2 resorts that run side by side. We had originally booked for the newer resort, however it was over booked and we agreed to stay next door.  Along with the upgrade of our rooms we also were given wrist bands for acess to both resorts, which meant double the restuarants. 

This is the view from our sliding glass door, we had a little backyard and then you could jump right into the pool

The humidity attacked my camera, but this is looking across the pool to the right of our porch area

The weather was in the 90's for most of the trip, but there was a constant breeze which made laying on the beach very pleasant (especially if you were under an umbrella).  I'm used to Destin's beaches where the water normally has seedweed, this was the complete opposite.  The water was crystal blue and very warm!

Our daily routine for the week was to wake up at 7:30 and meet for breakfast.  Then we would go back to the rooms, change clothes, and be on the beach by 9.  We'd go between the beach and pool all day and head in for lunch around 12:30.  After lunch we took about an hour nap to get some relief from the sun and then we were back out until it was time to get ready for dinner.  We went to dinner around 6:30 and we were back in the rooms no later than 9:30 every night.  Relaxing and laying out in the sun is extremely exhausting!

Dinner at the Japenese restuarant

On our way to the Itialian restuarant

Drinks before dinner in the lobby

Matt was about to pass out because there was no air conditioning or fans in the lobby area (he sweats when it's 40 degrees outside)

Itialian wasn't filling enough, so we headed to the steak house

Round 2 at the steak house

The food wasn't the greatest, but all in all we had a great time!  It was nice to get away from work and cell phones, however I was ready to get home to see Connor.  Connor stayed with Gigi and Big Daddy all week and had his own mini vacation from reality!

View from the plane as we were leaving