WOO HOO Vacation!

So I am sitting here at work at a desk COVERED in sticky notes! I have sticky notes with a grocery list, walmart list, packing list, to do list, and so on! It is just crazy! But it is making me want this week to go faster than ever! I am so excited to be able to head to NC on Saturday and enjoy an entire week relaxing and having with my family! Brian and I need this so bad! We haven't had a true vacation since we went to see our brother and sister in law in Houston the end of July last year! Plus it will be fun because my family hasn't had a vacation together in years! Mom has this so well thought out and Emma is bursting at the seams with excitement and I just want to enjoy the whole experience.
I am looking forward to seeing Papa and Pat some while we are at the lake and I am going to go see Celestine on Sunday before we leave for the lake. Mom says she seems to be doing well and quite alert most of the time so I am really looking forward to being able to spend some time with her.
I will make sure to take lots of pictures while we are gone and post when we get back. We finally found our camera in a box still packed away from the move so they will be better than the ones from my phone. 
Can't wait to share all of the smiles and laughs!!
Happy 4th of July everyone!

Life is amazing

So I figured I better update since my last post was pretty depressing...Celestine is still here! I honestly can't believe it! At one point she shouldn't have made it another 24 hours and now she has been released from the hospital and is back at the nursing home. I keep feeling like God is giving me this last chance to see her. So, Brian and I are planning to head to Charlotte next Saturday and I will go see her Sunday morning. The Parnell gang is then heading to Lake Norman for a week. We are all really excited and thankful to be able to spend a week relaxing. Emma can't even contain herself she is so excited! So next week will be full of planning and packing. I will also post with plenty of pictures when we return!

Why not?

This has been a whirl wind of a weekend! Chris and Carly came in late Wednesday night. We went to Charles Town Race Track on Thursday night for their awesome buffet and to gamble a little! It was fun showing Carly everything they have there and we played the slots a little and bet on a horse race. Friday we went to the rehearsal dinner for Leslie and Bobbys wedding. Saturday we went to an auction in the morning and spent the rest of the day at the wedding. It was a very beautiful wedding and we were so happy to be able ot enjoy that day with them. Sunday Chris and Carly went to her parents house so Brian and I came back home.

This weekend really got me thinking though. We are so lucky to have Chris with us. A couple years ago when he had his accident we weren't sure if we would enjoy any more days with him. Then a guy I graduated with died this weekend at Bonnaroo(a concert in TN) of heat stroke. It really made me think. Also my "3rd grandmother" who has been a HUGE part of my life is not doing well at all. I have been praying for her to go peacefully. She isn't scared to die and I know she just wants this to be over. I am so sad that this time has come but I know I am just being selfish by hoping that God keeps her around longer. She has had 94 wonderful years on this earth which most people don't get.
All of this has really put into perspective for me that you just never know what is going to happen and when this is going to end for us. I am now trying to preach to myself this "Why not?" idea. Why not go and do something I have always wanted and "Why not" love like there is no tomorrow! I am hoping to live my life this way! I really feel like we all take this life for granted and I am one of them. I don't tell people how much I love them and I don't live in the moment. It is human nature to always more and I want to be happy with what we have now.
I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband, loving family, and great friends and I hope you all know that I love you and I am so grateful to have you in my life.
I guess that's enough reflecting for today. I am planning to head to Charlotte when I get news that Celestine has passed. I want to be there. She has meant the world to me and will always be family. God took my dads mom away but he brought this amazing woman in our lives to bridge the emptiness. She will always be a grandmother to me! I love you Celestine!

Mama

What a wonderful weekend! Mom got here around 7:30 on Friday and we had a lovely evening out on the patio. Brian grilled some of his GIANT rockfish and we had lovely meal. On Saturday we went to a new park near our house and walked Daisy. We spent some time in an antique store and went out for lunch. Saturday evening mom and I made dinner and we spent most of the evening outside again. We have discovered we have 4 or so bunnies living behind our house so Daisy is now glued to the sliding glass door. Sunday we walked around Downtown Frederick and enjoyed Baker Park. On Monday Brian went to an auction with his parents and Mom and I went antiquing again and spent some time at the Christmas Tree Shoppes to look around.
The weather was HOT and HUMID but atleast it wasn't pouring rain! We had a great time with Mom visiting! Thank you again for EVERYTHING Mom!! We love you so much and we treasure every moment you are here!
We are looking forward to having Emma and Katie come sometime this Summer. Emma is chomping at the bit to come...she loves doing new things and I know she is dying to get to go on the river in the canoe.
Hopefully we will make that happen this year. I love that this is a short work week! We are planning on getting on the river on Saturday and Brian is working on Sunday so I will be doing things around the house.

I can't believe Summer is already here. Time seems to be flying by right now! Until next time! Love to all!