Busy Days

The past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind, with a trip to Atlanta, a visit from Jeff's parents and an emergency trip to Alaska. This is the first weekend we've had with nothing big planned for months!

I'm sure you're all wondering about the emergency trip to Alaska, if you haven't already heard. Last Wednesday my grandmother in Alaska, AKA Granny, went to the ER after one of the spells she's been having for months. The Doctors weren't initially too concerned, but during her visit she experienced a near fatal bout of ventricular tachycardia, a fatal type of heart arrhythmia, and things just deteriorated from there. When we got word on Thursday that she might not make it out of the hospital, all 4 of the grandgirls decided to make the trip to AK to show our love and support. Lana, our Dad and I flew out of MS at 6:30am on Friday morning and arrived in AK at 3:30pm that afternoon (a 12 hour trip with the time difference). We made it just in time to sit with grandpa while Granny had her MRI, which showed that she had 100% blockages in almost all of her arteries. They were able to stabilize her over the weekend, and put her on some medication to manage her arrhythmia, but the doctor's are saying she is not a candidate for bypass or an angioplasty at this point. We're hoping they will seek a 2nd opinion here in MS. The good news is she was discharged home yesterday, and appears to be doing much better. She is slowly gaining back the weight she lost over the past several months, and is trying to build her strength to hopefully make the trip home to Mississippi in March. Granny and Poppa have a comfortable house here in MS, and we're hoping after this week will try to relocate as soon as Granny is strong enough. It's beyond difficult being so far away from them during this difficult time, and knowing that we are at minimum 12 hours away if something happens doesn't help. We just love them so much, and I hope they felt that in full force last weekend when we all made the trip North. Please continue to pray for strength for Granny, and for safe travels to MS when and if they do decide to come.

Unfortunately I accidentally deleted the pictures I took the first 2 days of the visit, but here are a few from Saturday and Sunday.

Me and my sweet Granny.

Sunday we were able to get her up and out of bed a little bit. She really perked up with her girls around her:)

I got to brush up on my ice skating skills - this is how every road looked under the snow.

My cousin Lindsey's baby Stone was the big hit of the weekend. Here he is with my dad.

Sweet Grandpa and Stone

Uncle Neil, who was a huge help before, during and after our visit.

The Grandgirls - (L-R) Lindsay, Lana, Shasta and me. The only other picture I have of all 4 grandgirls together we were so tired we looked like zombies. I'll have to wait for Shasta to send me our good group pictures to post.

We had some visitors at the hospital. You don't realize how big they are until you're standing right next to them, and I'd say this moose was on the smaller side. There were 3 total right outside the window.

Thought this was a cool pic. Only in AK.

Another cool picture, but would have been better if the moose had been in it.

Relaxing at the hospital. I'll have to say it was a very comfortable place to be stuck in for the weekend...for a hospital.

I got to visit with some old buddies over the weekend, which was a treat. Shawn camped out at the hospital with us for several hours Saturday, and also drove us to the airport Sunday. Shawn and I have been friends since 5th grade.

Jess and John stopped by my grandparents house Saturday evening. Jess and I have been friends since 7th grade, but she was in my dad's 4th grade class.

I really miss this view....

People in AK have planes like people in MS have boats.

My favorite moment of the weekend - Grandpa hiijacking the cart at the hospital. He just walked up to it and stuck each of his keys in till it cranked. Good thing it was Sunday and no one was around!!

Although the circumstances for the visit were terrible, we had a wonderful time seeing everyone. It's been 3 years since all of the grandgirls were together. It in many ways it was a healing visit for everyone on many different levels.

The previous weekend we enjoyed a visit from Jeff's parents, Lisa and Ellis. Here they after a delicious lunch at Cock of the Walk.

Jeff and Pop taunting the gulls.

The weekend before that we enjoyed a whirlwind visit to Atlanta for my good friend Stacie's baby shower. We were lucky and got to see most of our friends in the process.

Gina and Brian let us crash at their place Saturday night.

Our new favorite game - hide and seek with Madeline. Hmmm, I wonder where she is?

Still can't seem to find her...

I still get tickled looking at those pictures. She was sooo excited to play hide and seek with Jeff. The last time they played she started hiding under the table before he'd even closed his eyes. It was adorable! We had fun lunching with Madeline and her parents, our good friends Julie and Todd, below. I have a picture of Madeline further down.

We had a delicious dinner at Jenny's Saturday night with Rob, Danielle and the girls.

We spent Friday night with Caroline, Mike and Suzanna. She was really excited to see us:)

Saturday morning visit to IHOP in our PJ's (kind of). What a doll!

We spent Thursday night with Mimi and Pawpaw and enjoyed breakfast with them Friday morning.

Here's Madeline, the hide and seek queen. Too cute!



We got a visit in with our good friends and mentors, Doug and Martha. They have been such a blessing to us, and we miss them so much!!

Their kids, Mitchell, Teddy and Caroline. It's hard to believe Teddy and Caroline were barely 3 when we first met them.

We enjoyed breakfast with our fellow friends (and bloggers) Georgia Peach, Big Apple and Papple.

Gina kicking Jeff's butt at Wii bowling.

Friday I stopped by work to hang out with some of my friends and coworkers at Shepherd. Here is my friend Josh. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures with everyone...

I got to meet up with his wife and friend Lisa, and beautiful girls Natalie and Lindsey, at Stacie's shower. I was so excited Natalie remember who I was - that's what stinks the most about leaving ATL. Now all of our friend's kids are going to forget us...

Me and my buddy Lynz, who just got accepted to Med School. Way to go Lynz!!

The whole reason for our trip - the lovely and adorably pregnant Stacie, practicing with little Lindsay.

Fun times at Mike and Suzanna's. This picture was not staged, but looks like it was. That wine bottle must have been very interesting.....

Amy and Michael, Brian and Gina and Mike and Suzanna - some of our favorite couples all together! You better believe we laughed all evening!

Little Bryce - look at those beautiful eyes!

I miss my girls - Nancy and Lynz!

My old volunteer services coworkers - Pete and Midge.

We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone, and thanks to my grandparents, Mike and Suzanna and Gina and Brian for letting us crash at their places.

That's all for now!!