more pics of Mimi and Grandaddy

Mimi and Grandaddy's 2 week visit!

So, after about a week of just me and the kids, Mimi and Grandaddy came down to visit. We were so excited to have them. They have been to Seabrook Island many times before with us and they love this place. This trip was going to be extra special because Mimi was going to be giving Grandaddy a kidney on July 21 (which by the way is tomorrow, so it is kind of ironic I am writing about their visit on the eve of their surgery)

Also, I spoke with my sister a few days before they were scheduled to come and asked her if Meia could come down with them to visit. She said yes and Maddie was beside herself with excitement. We had so much fun during their time here. Bruce and Regina also decided to come down during the first week of their visit, but they stayed at a different condo on the island.

There were so many fun things we did during the two weeks they were here, but one of the things that stands out the most to me was looking up beach songs and downloading them on the ipod. We made a beach playlist and then took the ipod and portable speaker to the beach. It was so relaxing sitting in the beach songs listening to beach music while watching kids play!

Maddie, Laurie Beth, and Meia had a great time riding their boogie boards in the ocean. It was the first time Maddie had been in the ocean since our we arrived back in May. She was finally not scared, but then unfortunately she got a bad sting from a jellyfish and that put an end to her desire to play in the ocean. :( She still hasn't been back in the ocean.

I have been reflecting on their visit and know that our children are so blessed to have them in their lives. One of the hardest decisions I have had to make all summer was whether or not I was going to stay here with Britt or come back home for their surgery. After lots of thought, we decided it would be best to return to Nashville a few days after their surgery so Britt could spend time with them before she would have to return to work in SC. Tonight I am questioning if that was the right decision and am really sad that I am not going to be there tomorrow. If you are reading this tonight, please pray that their kidney transplant tomorrow will go perfectly and that Grandaddy's body will accept Mimi's kidney! Pray for him to completely heal and for him to finally feel better since he hasn't felt well for several months. Pray that he can quickly adjust to all the new medicines he will have to take so his body will not reject the kidney. Pray for Mimi's quick recovery. Pray for our safe return so we can spend time with them while they heal and help them. Pray for Jeff to have strength tomorrow and not to be afraid!

Here are a few pictures from their visit!

More pics from Daddy's visit

Daddy is here!

Finally! After over two weeks, Jeff was scheduled to come and visit. We were so excited for him to come and especially excited that he was going to be able to spend Father's day here with the children. This is the one week I have some regrets. Jeff arrived after the kids and I had already been here for a few weeks. We were getting a little tired of the beach (yes that is possible) and just ready to sit around and chill. It makes me sad that he was unable to experience all of the "firsts" with the kids. But, it was still a great week.

The first thing Radlee wanted to show him was that he was able to ride his bike now without training wheels. We got him a bike for an early birthday present. He learned how to ride it on the pavement, with the helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads, and after may repeated attempts and falls he could do it. I was so proud and surprised at his persistence.

We also went to Charlestown Landing. It was a really neat place, but it is an outdoor walking trail and it was super hot the day we went. Maddie and I threw a pouty fit and looking back I wish I would have been a better sport. Jeff tried to do individual things with each of the children while he was here. He took Maddie to a Haunted Jail Tour in Charleston. They had lots of fun. He went with Radlee to the USS Yorktown Naval Ship. Radlee had a blast and Jeff got so many good pictures. Finally, at the end of the week, Britt took him on a trail ride for Father's Day. It was just the two of them and I think they had a great time. The time flew by and we were sad to see him leave.

Nana's visit

Nana's turn for a visit June 11-18, 2011

YAY!!! The kids were so excited to have their Nana visit them for a week. She was so excited too, because it had been the first vacation she had taken in several years! We showed her how to crab. We went to the pool and the kids showed her how to fish. It was a very relaxing week. We made some really special memories, and I know she was sad to have to leave at the end of the week. One of the things that impressed me the most was my mom's willingness to do basically anything the kids wanted to do. She is such a wonderful grandmother to them. Despite the fact that she has had a hip replacement, she rode a very far way on her bike just because Maddie wanted her to! I know she was so sore later, but I think she would do it again in a minute! Here are a few pictures from her visit.