Pain, Stress, yet Peace

I have not posted in ages! But, since my last post God seems to have thrown an unexpected curve ball (as He so often will). Last Monday (June 22) my Grandad drove himself to the VA hospital in Asheville. He thought that he was experiencing chest pains from a pulled muscle, but upon arrival discovered that he was having numerous heart attacks. They immediately admitted Grandad into the ICU and began pushing blood thinners, pain killers, and various other meds through his system. My mom went up on Tuesday (June 23) to be with my Grandmom. On Thursday, I received a phone call from my Dad saying that we needed to go up to be with Grandad because he was not going to live.



My Dad and I stayed from Thursday to Sunday. Between that time we heard all different kinds of solutions: open heart surgery, using cadaver/pig veins, more stints, etc. But, the fact of the matter is (which they didn't tell us until Sunday) that my Grandad is just not a surgical candidate because of his pre-existing conditions. My grandad was born with one kidney which is now functioning at less than 10%, has diabetes, claudication (blocked leg arteries), high blood pressure and cholesterol, and the list goes on.



Saturday night the family was called in to say our prayers with Grandad and tell him goodbye. I don't think I have had to experience anything so hard and painful in my entire life. Grandad's response to me was, "I love you and I'll be watching down on your wedding. See you in the morning." And he did just that, he hung on until Sunday morning. And that has been the case since Sunday. It is now Wednesday (July 1) and my Grandad is still hanging on, but by a thread. Since last night he has been vomiting, having fluid build up, slowing of breathing, hardly any pulse/very low blood pressure.



Jacob is coming up today and Dad, Jacob, and I will most likely leave for the mountains tomorrow. Although the situation has been painful and stressful, we are at complete peace. Grandad has assured us of his salvation and his eternal home in heaven. Praise God for our salvation! We know that Jesus is calling Grandad home, and we are so thankful for his opportunity to be sitting at the feet of Christ.



Please pray for my Grandmom, Mom, and Uncle Albert as this will be an extremely hard time for them. The funeral is tentatively scheduled for Friday, but of course, that could change!

What a day!

Well, my day started out with a bang (almost literally) when my car wouldn't start. I guess technically my car did and will start- I just have to give it gas for a good 5 minutes so that it won't stall out. Currently, my car is sitting at the Mazda dealership getting looked at. We'll see how much that will cost.

But- my day only got better and better when I realized that I have only 75 days until I'm married!! I also dropped by our photographers house (who by the way is AWESOME- Elizabeth Burgess @ Burgess Photography) and picked up my cd of engagement pictures. They are INCREDIBLE. She had also made us a print of one picture and I went and had it framed. I'm SO excited :-) I can't show you all of the pictures but here is a little taste.

Praise God, Ashley and Forrest got engaged! I am so happy for ya'll :-)

Also- I'm so excited about Parker's graduation this weekend and getting to see the fam! YAY for good times :-) As for that, I'm off to go to Lily's and watch the premier of THE BACHELORETTE!!!

So long....

OSCAR?? Oh wait....I'm not at the beach anymore. On Sunday afternoon I got back from a terrific weekend at the Outer Banks (not Emerald Isle) with Amanda, Laura, Charlotte, my mom, Mrs. Lydia, and Aunt Kitty. We had a BLAST! I am so thankful for wonderful family like Aunt Kitty and Charlotte who put everything together and arranged TONS of surprises. One of our major surprises was an awesome lunch (fresh salad w/ raspberry vinegrette, shrimp, bread, wine)! It was absolutely delicious.

Charlotte [Webb] also surprised us with wonderful spa bags. Everything in them was terrific, but we especially had fun with our turbans :)

The sand was at the beach was blowing around a lot so Mrs. Lydia, Aunt Kitty, Charlotte and Laura went to the pool for the day on Saturday while Amanda and I braved the sand. It was beautiful weather and we had a blast. Then, Saturday night we all went to dinner at the Sunset Grill. It was SO good! As usual, there is never a dull moment wherever we go. We found these sweet hats at the little store and had to try them on for a photo op.

Sunday morning was Mother's Day so Laura and I began the day by giving Mrs. Lydia (the wonderful mother of our men) a pretty stargazer lily and card! Then, we were headed home to see our own Mothers. Amanda and I rode home together and before we got to Raleigh, we HAD to stop at Jockey's Ridge! It is so big....I mean so big that I wasn't even willing to climb to the top (haha)! Well, now it's back to realty- so long pretty beach.

Speaking of so long- I have to go back to teaching tomorrow. I had a wonderful track-out and am ready to see my sweet kiddies! I can't believe that this is my last night of break as a year-round teacher. Shew- that's scary. Pray that I get a job in Craven County.

Well- thanks to Laura that was my first scatterbrained post :-)

Many more to come....