Family Vacation!

The last week of February & the last week of April-South Carolina was graced with the New York Sherrills!  We went to Charleston both times, sat on the beach, and enjoyed each others company.

On December 12, my grandpa passed away. He was 92 years old.  He was an amazing man-in every area of his life-father, marine, friend, grandfather.

When I was little, I'm not going to lie, he was pretty intimidating.  He was about 6'4" and a big guy.  I was very shy and quiet.  Any time we sat down to eat dinner, I would pick at my food, and be the last to finish.  He would sit at the table and say "Eat!  Eat!  Eat!" 

One time, while visiting my grandparents-I remember I was at their house with just them (I have no idea where my parents were).  My grandma was going to church and my grandpa had just had some eye surgery.  I was in her room as she was getting ready to leave and she told me to take care of him while she was gone, and when she came back, she'd bring me a present.  She brought back a book from church-something about having good manners.  I don't know why that's something I've remembered, but I feel like after my grandma passed away-I've always remembered her telling me to take care of him.

My grandpa sold his house in northern Virginia sometime around 2002-2005 (can't really remember) and moved into an apartment on the campus of a senior living place.  A few years after that, he fell and broke his hip-after that he was able to stay on the campus-but moved to a more hospital-like setting where he had access to doctors and nurses if he needed them.  About a year after being in that room-he moved to a cozier-more apartment-like-room in the same building.  A few months there, he got pneumonia and about 2 weeks later, passed away in his sleep. 

I was lucky enough to get to see him in October on my way up to visit Natasha.  

I'm trying to talk to my dad into writing everything down about my grandpa.  Over the years, he's created a timeline-esque story of my grandpa's life.  He also wrote the eulogy that he read at the funeral service. 

From L to R: Back Row: Aunt Maureen,  Grandma Frieda, Grandpa Ray, Back Row: Uncle Brian, my Dad, Uncle Dennis

In this picture-my dad looks JUST like my grandpa here.  Twins-I swear. 

Although it was a rough day-it was nice getting to see all my family at one time.  With everyone living in 3 different states-it's not often we all get together!


I know this is a choppy post-lots of thoughts all over the place.

Who doesn't love a good pampering?

So last Friday, I took mom to get a mani/pedi with me.
It's been a while since she's been able to get one due to some health issues she's been having. We both really enjoyed it!


Mom got French on her fingers and toes!

I got Essie's Lapis of Luxury on my nails.

And OPI's Cajun Shrimp on my toes!

Does life ever slow down?

A recap of the last week(ish):

Friends.

Surprises.

Presents.

Movies.

Beaches.

BBQs.

Pedicures.

Basically, my life rules.

Tuesday Tidbits

First off- thank you all so much for your sweet comments about my race! Is it weird that I kind of miss it? Well, not the upset tummy, but EVERYTHING else.

Second- I hope you all had an amazing Easter! Growing up Easter was always a fun, candy-filled holiday for me. I never really grasped the significance of it until college. I am so thankful to know and love a Savior who died for me. My family and I went to Emma's for Easter brunch. It was fantastic. We always have a great time during the holidays with each other.

The Delicious Easter Spread

Me & Emma

Dad & Me

Emma's Mom & My Mom

Thirdly- Thank you all for your prayers for my Mom. She is having her 3rd chemo treatment this Friday. This past Monday, she had surgery for a port to be put in. She's doing okay... some good days, some bad. She told me it's better this time than three years ago, so I guess that's good. I would love for her to wake up one day and say "I feel GREAT today!". Hopefully soon.

Today at work we got a TON of new summer stuff in; lots of shorts, polos, summer tops, dresses, etc. I'm looking forward to trying it all on! Speaking of Gap... if any of ya'll can make it out tomorrow, we're offering 40% off one full-priced item! Here's the coupon :o)

Cooper River Bridge Run

So here is my official recap of the Cooper River Bridge Run!

My official time was:

Drove down Friday afternoon and did some shopping in Mt. Pleasant. Met up with Sarah and took care of some business. We check into our hotel and headed downtown to find out where exactly we needed to be for Saturday morning.

Here we are at dinner at a delicious restaurant called The Mustard Seed.

I didn't sleep very well the night before. I really worked myself up and I think my nerves definitely got the best of me. Lesson learned.

Here we all are at about 6:00 in the morning before the race.

Our friend John Thomas was wearing this awesome shirt:

Rena, Sarah & I waiting at the starting line.

See the yellow banner WAY down there? Yea, that's the starting line.

Here I am at the beginning!

Getting over the bridge! This was the most amazing feeling in the world.

Check out these cool guys in their leprechaun outfits.

I started the race with Kristen, but I was getting a bit of a stitch in my side and told her to go on ahead of me. This next one is me getting over the bridge! It was amazing-knowing that I could push myself to do something I never thought I could do.

SO many people all running the same race.

I saw my friend Spencer while on the bridge! It was very comforting to see a familiar face, someone telling me "You can do it!" Even if he is a Clemson fan :o)

Here I am getting into downtown Charleston.

I was so thankful for the water stations. They just happened to be at the right places at the right time! The volunteers were so nice! It was kind of scary at the first one though because the road was super wet and those cups were all over the place and it was slippery.

Mile 6! Holy Crap! I have never gone that far in a single workout/running session ever. It was the best feeling in the world.

There's the finish line!

And this happens to be my favorite picture of the whole weekend. I found Kristen at the end and her family was there with open arms! We were both all emotional and I was just so happy to be done! Her hubby snapped this picture. This picture total sums up how I was feeling.

All of us Myrtle Beach girls finished!

Rena, D, Carmela, Kristen, Antonella, Sarah, & Me

Here us hanging out in Marion Square, checkin' out all the goodies :o)

Banana phone!

We totally pigged out at Bessinger's BBQ after we vegged out for a few hours.

Rena loved those onion rings :o)

Sunday morning we headed home, but not before snapping a few pictures in the parking lot.

When I pulled into my driveway, I see the sweetest thing my dad put up on our front porch. He made me my very own finish line!

I was totally crying when I saw :o)

Not only did I have a great weekend with some great friends, I learned a lot about myself. I learned I can push myself a lot harder than I ever thought I could. I also learned that we are all running our own race-literally and figuratively. We may have bumps along the way, we may have to slow down and walk, but I finished. I can do what I set my mind to. I could not stop smiling the whole weekend.