HEARTS AND SASHES

My dad had open heart surgery. 

(in recovery/ICU)

He had a heart valve replacement and a triple bypass.

This was elective not an emergency type situation.

(ICU 24 hours after surgery)

He lives in NC, but in another town about an hour and a half away.

I/we have been commuting back and forth and staying there with him.  

My dad is doing great.

He is home, taking care of himself and even walking around the block.

He cannot drive for six weeks - thats gonna be the hardest part.

I will go next week to take him to his two doctor appointments if none else can.

That's where I've been! 

I've sat down to blog lots and lots of times, but my brain wouldn't cooperate. 

Sitting around is hard work!

Hopefully I am getting back into the routine.  

I've missed my routine. 

I came home yesterday.

I white knuckled it all the way because it was raining…..hard….really really hard.

I don't believe I went over 45 mph and thank goodness neither did anyone else out there on the interstate. 

It was scary. 

I wanted to get home in time to see Barrett off to the 

Baccalaureate service at her school for the seniors. 

She is a junior marshal.

The top ten students in the junior class were given the honor.

Her hard work is paying off. 

She got the distinct honor of handing out programs! Ha! Ha!

She also led the seniors into the auditorium and had to sit "on display" (her words) on the stage during the service. 

She doesn't think it is such a big deal,

but I do. 

I am very proud of her and know just how hard she has worked for that blue and gold sash 

and 

new white dress! 

Good job Bear! 

PROM 2014

I have a really good reason for being absent and I will share that at another time.

Among all of the craziness, there has been some great things going on at our house.  

PROM for example.

Barrett went to the prom last weekend 

and 

we had the pre-prom picture party at our house.  

F.U.N!

Barrett was asked to the prom by one of her good friends.

They were all at a birthday party and "R" grabbed a microphone and started singing. 

In the  middle of the song he stopped and pulled out a dozen roses and a sign he had made out of jelly beans and asked her to prom. 

She was totally surprised, but everyone else knew it was going to happen.  

They call it a "promposal" these days. 

Poor high school guys are now all in a competition to out do one another. 

It took Barrett literally fifteen minutes to find her dress.

She knew she wanted a Lilly from the beginning and she tried on two…….

and then we were on our way home. 

(The chalkboard is from Michael's)

(this is one of my favorite pictures!)

We served some light snacks…

chocolate dipped strawberries, pimento cheese and crackers, chicken salad in pastry shells, sweet tea, a bowl of cotton candy, which the kids loved…..

and Barrett made bow tie and bow cookies. 

Brittany and Brooke were here! 

They were not missing their baby sister's first prom. 

(another favorite picture)

Everyone looked so pretty and they all had a great time! 

They are already talking about next year's prom!  

BROOKE'S 23!

Brooke turned twenty three on Saturday, but had to be in DC because she was on call. 

Luckily she had three days off during the week and was able to come home.  

 I got to spend three wonderful days with my all three of my girls!  

Lucky me!

We celebrated Brooke's birthday on Thursday. 

No birthday would be complete without our family's obligatory notebook paper sign!

Barrett and Brittany baked Brooke her cake, a chocolate chip angel food cake.  

I made the chocolate ganache and decorated it. 

We went out to eat on Thursday night and then came home for dessert and presents. 

What a good looking group of people! 

There was a lot of discussion and pondering of the birthday wish….

Lola and Charlie love having Brooke home too! 

 Bubbles was so disappointed that there were no new boxes…

he was determined to fit into a rather small gift bag . 

On Friday night, Brooke, Brittany and BF1 hoped on a flight to DC and BFE picked them up.

(Gotta love the perks of Brooke working for an airline!)

On Saturday, Brooke's official b'day, they went out for brunch. 

BF1 had never been to DC before so they spent the afternoon walking around the mall

and showing him the sites. 

The girls somehow got the guys to go ice skating…

Sunday morning Brittany and BF1 took an early morning flight back home. 

I am so glad that they spent time with Brooke on her actual birthday and got to spend some time in DC.

Brooke loves the area and I know she loves showing it off even more.  

Happy Birthday Brooke!  

My girls are getting way too old!