Surprise trip to Michigan! This was not a planned trip...I didn't think I would be able to visit so soon after moving. One day I was telling Dennis I wished I could go see Train and Maroon 5 in concert. He suggested going to Michigan to see them, and being able to visit everyone at the same time - he had a free ticket through Southwest. Originally he suggested me going by myself, and I thought that would be weird, going without the kids. The boys had just started school, so I decided to take Abby. (I couldn't go back without at least ONE of the grandkids!)
Abby waiting patiently for our flight to leave...
She did great on the plane, behaved so well. She would have done anything I asked, she was just so happy to be going to visit everyone!
At last...Grandma!
Visiting the Schriebers on our first day...
The girls had so much fun playing outside...
Our good friend Dan and his son Ben even drove in from Flint to see us at the Schriebers. Oh how I've missed our good friends!
There was a sad note to the weekend, however. Brayden was very bummed out that Jackson and Aidan couldn't come. He wasn't feeling well, and we attributed it to sadness. He ended up in the hospital the next day with extreme stomach pain. He was there for the rest of our visit, and they STILL didn't know what was wrong with him when we were leaving to come back home. It was so scary and sad...I was disappointed that I didn't get to spend much time with Amanda, but feeling guilty at the same time for even thinking that! We were all so worried about Brayden...he was a trouper though and finally got to go home a few days after we got back. I was still able to spend time with Amanda's girls while everyone was at the hospital, grateful for that and that I was able to help in some small way. That is one of the hardest things when a child is in the hospital, feeling so helpless. Amanda was amazing throughout the whole ordeal, she was so strong and positive. I admire her so much!
The next day we went to visit Teresa and Ava (Abby's best friend, born on the same day) Teresa didn't tell her we were coming, she was shocked speechless! It was very cute.
Our last day...we got to spend it with Brookie and Berlyn while everyone else was at the hospital with Brayden. We were blessed with beautiful weather, here the girls are enjoying it.
After Berlyn woke up from her nap, we headed over to my parent's, so we could spend some more time with them before we had to go....
The girls had a great time playing in the backyard. (even though there were no kid toys out there) They amaze me sometimes, they almost have MORE fun with nothing to play with...they make up their own games, and play classics like follow the leader...
They collected leaves...
Aren't they so precious?!
We were even able to squeeze in a quick dinner with Aunt Glo - she missed her Abby!
We had a great trip, and it was SO hard to go home. Especially when I felt like I was leaving home...I still didn't feel like Arizona was home. I am starting to feel more like it now...but I know the holidays are going to be extremely hard! All of our traditions with the Schriebers and the Shiners will be missed SO MUCH! It's going to feel very lonely this first year. I am just grateful my parents are here now, that makes it a little better. Can't wait for a visit from my Michigan family!!
Oh Dana...I love all of these pictures! It's so bittersweet to look at them all. You took so many good ones. I miss you miserably! But looking at these photos makes me once again deeply appreciate what a treasure I have in you! You are so selfless, thoughtful, helpful and beautiful. Even on your vacation, where you should have been relaxing and soaking in time with loved ones, you were there for me, for our family...in exactly the way I needed you to be. Such a scary 5 days with Brayden, and I felt bad for not being able to spend more time with you and being a bit of a downer, but I found great comfort in your presence there with us through a great trial. I was also comforted to know my girls were in such good hands and I needn't worry about them while I was at the hospital with Brayden. You are the best friend anyone could ask for...always teaching me how I can be a better friend. The holidays are going to be bittersweet. Sweet that we both have new beginnings...bitter that we won't be together in these journeys. Love you!
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