5 places to go again! It was so humid and I don't think I have EVER been so swollen, but it was so much fun. I haven't ever been so burnt before in my life. So in 10 yrs when I'm having chuncks taken out of my skin, just know it was from my Maui trip.
We had a blast. We went on a road trip while we were there and I can say... DONT EVER DO THE ROAD TO HANA!!!! If you get car sick, I HIGHLY don't reccommend it. I don't even get car sick and I now know what people are talking about. It's the worst. It was gorgeous, but I'll never be doing that again.
We also went snorkeling... I loved that. It was my first time doing that and I had so much fun! I fell in love with sea turtles when
we were there. I was so obsessed with them. They are quick little guys. I had no idea. I was really nercous about seeing what really is in the depths of the ocean, but it was the most amazing thing I have done. One of the tour guides threw me a hot dog when I was in the water to feed the fish. As if I wasn't scared enough. Try laughing and screeming under water at the same time and not drownding yourself... I think I have that mastered. Those things came right up to me. It was cool. Too much anxiety for me at that time, but it was one of my most favorite memories.Next vacation of the year was the family beach trip to Outter Banks, NC. We decided we would do something different this year. It was fun. I missed Rehoboth, DE that we usually go to, but it was fun to try something new. All of my family was there. All 4 kids and their families. You wanna talk
stress and chaos... it was all under that roof. Good thing we had 3 floors is all I have to say about that. And don't forget the house next door that I could escape to. There were 40 of us. It was fun! Not one of the most attractive pics ever but those are some good times!!!That was a fun week. I ended up going back to my grandparents house after that for a few days. It's always good to see them and spend some time with them.
I came home in just enough time to go on a trip with my singles ward to Lake Powell. That was fun. Boating and swimming and playing in the sun... what more could you ask for?? Got to do some cliff jumping... haven't ever done that before. It was fun. Don't know if I'll ever get to the high cliffs... the older I get the worse I get. Not such a fan of the daring and adventerous things anymore. I don't know what's happened to me. I attempted to wake board... after I had used all my energy in trying to get this boo-tay up... I finally realized an easier way to do it but I was much too tired to play any more. Plus, all my strength still isn't back from how sick I was with my appendix.
That was fun! So that was the end of my summer fun... Until my NEXT vacation that was coming up in Oct. Another group of my girlfriends and I booked an LDS singles cruise to the Mexican Riviera. But before I get to my NEXT vacation, there were some very life changing events that happened in my life.
For some that know, my grandma had been living with us for the past 2 years. Her sister moved in with us 9 mnths ago. I don't even know where to begin! As hard as those times were, they were some of the most rewarding times in my life. My mom was their primary care giver. She has dedicated the last 2 years of her life to take care of her mother in law and her aunt in law... What an amazing woman. I have realized that not many people would take care of family like that. Which I think is sad. She couldn't stand the fact of putting them in a home when we could do it. Not to say there weren't times that I thought my mom was going to die. It's tough work. So much fun though! Wouldn't have traded it for the world. Sad to say, my great aunt Hilda decided one day she didn't want to play anymore and decided she wasn't going to eat anymore. 15 days later she passed. What an amazing experience. I cry when I think about it. Never thought I would be ok with watching and caring for someone while they exit this life into the next. It's amazing. She passed at the age of 96. Sad to say my grandma wasn't too far behind. She decided that she didn't want to live anymore after my aunt passed. My mom and I watched her condition worsen by the hour, literally. It was the weirdest thing. It just confirmed and proved to me more that we are so not in control. When it's our time... the Lord is in control. She passed 11 days after her sister at the age of 90. So sad to see them go, but it was time. They lived a long life and they both were widowed for over 20 yrs. Amazing women!
The day after my grandma passed, I was on my way to LA to catch my cruise ship for Mexico. We ported in Cabo, Mazatlan, as well as Puerto Vallarta. Mazatlan was by far my favorite!!! I haven't ever been in ocean water that felt like my bath tub at home. It was nice!!! We ported 3 days in a row and were at sea for 3 days. The first day we were at sea and then the next 3 were at ports. The following 2 were at sea as well. To be honest, I had a blast... minus the fact that I got so sick... but I just don't think I'm a cruiser. Sometimes I just want to be free... I don't want to see all the same people over and over and over and over again. But it was a good time and I'm glad I went. 2 days after I got home from Mexico, I was on a plane back east for a double funeral. It ended up being a really nice graveside service and I couldn't have asked for it to go any better. It was really hard for me, seeing as how I was lucky enough to spend the last 2 yrs and 9 mnths with 2 ladies that I wasn't all that close to growing up. I'm so thankful for that time I had with them.
So that takes me to today. I just got back 2 days ago and I thought I would sit down and FINALLY update, for those of you that actually still look at this boring thing. ;) It has been one year since I got sick and as traumatic as it was, things are going so well for me and my organs. I'm finally not sleeping my life away trying to heal. I don't catch every stinking common cold that walks past me. I'm not working right now. I was in school this semester, but life has gotten the best of me one more time. I'm enrolling again for Jan. Caring for the ladies, I missed too much school and couldn't do it this semester... sorry... family comes first with me. I got my CNA so I can get into nursing school now. Things are moving forward and looking up. No more vacations like I just had. I figure going to 5 new places I haven't ever been to in a year is enough for me. I'm living up the single life the best I can!!! Hopefully things will settle down and I can get back to normalicy... although I'm starting to think this is normal for me... CHAOS!!! I hope not...
