Sunrise Balloon Race

The above pic is the Sunrise balloon, it launches first then all the others can launch.

We went to the Tuscaloosa Airport this morning for the 26th Annual Sunrise Community Balloon Race.......The Sunrise Community Hot Air Balloon Race presented by Rowland Coffee Roasters brings the heart of Resource for Independence – the people with development disabilities whom we serve, their families and friends, our dedicated volunteers, sponsors and staff – for a free, family event that celebrates the accomplishments of people with disabilities and their limitless potential! It was awesome. So was breakfast at IHOP!

ADDIE

ROCKS!! For those of you that didn't hear me shout it from the roof top, Addie is standing independently & has started taking a few steps. PLEASE continue to pray for our Sweet Girl! www.babyhenderson.blogspot.com

Memorial Day Weekend....

I worked Friday night; slept for a while Saturday then went to my BFF's Saturday evening for some much needed R & R. She is always such a good host. She ordered pizza & we ate that and drank wine while attempting to watch a movie. After that I gained 5 more pounds eating an awesome blackberry cobbler. Then Sunday am she made a very yummy breakfast. I left early because everyone was at Mom's having lunch.

Mom out did herself in the kitchen as always. Smoked sausage & grilled chicken w/corn on the cob, potatoes, carrots, mac & cheese, field peas, rolls, strawberry shortcake, etc. And as you can see the kids had a good time in the pool. Addie even got to get her feet wet.

After lunch; me, Cecilia, Kayla, Gabi and Brianna drove to Decatur to see the Hot Air Balloons at Point Mallard. Because of the weather none of the balloons even set up. :-( We did enjoy watching Brianna scale a wall and we all bought tote bags. It took us longer to get there than we stayed but that's ok.

Memorial Day is always a tough holiday for us. That's when Dad passed away, it's hard to believe that was 12 years ago.

Gabi's Awards Day

I went to Gabi's Awards Ceremony today just long enough to see her & one of her friends receive their awards. Gabi got 2 awards; one for Most Improved & the other for being a Timberwolf Good Citizen. The bottom pic is of Tori; Gabi's friend, her Mom ask me to take a few pics of her.

GABI, we're very proud of you.

Gabi's teacher, Ms. Cabler, made a CD & sent it home with each child. It was from all of their field trips & other activities during the 2008-2009 school year. Of course, as if that wasn't emotional enough she had to attach songs to it. So as we're watching the CD, The Climb, My Wish, & Thank You for Being A Friend was playing. What an awesome memory to be able to hold on to.

Gabi is at a brand new school this year so she did a lot of firsts in that school including today, the first FIRST graders to receive awards on that stage.

Update

Kayla is a typical teenager; more into her friends & her cell phone than her family and her responsibilities. (Don't tell her I said that).

Gabi had a tough time but she has fully recovered from her surgery & returned to "normal" activities. She would really like more time in the pool but Mother Nature has had other plans.

I am really enjoying my break from school. There's a lot to do but I'm catching up on my rest. I start back the day after Memorial Day. I am only taking one class this summer; Microbiology, every Tuesday & Thursday from 9:00-1:00.

My Big Brother is coming down from MI & we are going white water rafting AGAIN. The last time we went together we had an "accident", we're hoping for a safer trip this time. I can't wait.

Me & 6 others are also less than one month away from spending a week at the beach. I can't wait for that either. If anyone knows of a way I can lose 60 pounds before then let me know.

Although I don't see Julien & Addie as often as I would like too they are both doing well. Julien is wrapping up another season of soccer & I believe is going to take the summer off from sports. Addie is amazing us more & more each day, blonde-hair, blue-eyed beauty.

I hope all is well with you & yours.

MOTHER'S DAY

The family got together for Mother's Day at The Bright Star. We had a very nice lunch and thankfully I had made reservations because they were packed. After lunch we were going to give Mom her Mother's Day/Etc. gifts but the sky fell out. We took cover under the drive thru at the bank so she could open gifts, not the idea spot but it worked.

S.D.M.

The person that bears these initials had an emotional day today. Major life changing event & without going into details; please do me a favor, when you talk to the good Lord above mention S.D.M. in your prayers.

S.D.M., we love you & we're very proud of you and all that you've accomplished up to this point.

Kayla's 1st MINOR fender bender, etc....

As soon as Kayla stepped off the bus this afternoon she got in the car, she had a 4:15 orthodontist appointment. She wanted to drive & today was her first time on the interstate, she did good. She got off on the exit we needed to & approached the stop sign, obviously the guy behind her didn't expect her to come to a complete stop because he rear ended us as soon as she did. There was no damage to either vehicle & no one was hurt. I am very thankful that Kayla was not at fault.

After the ortho appt. we went to Wal-Mart, Gabi's latest thing is jigsaw puzzles (can't imagine where she gets that from). We bought 3 to add to the one I bought her initially when she had her surgery. She's in love. From there Kayla was picked up to spend the weekend with her BFF & Gabi and I met the rest of the family at the Y for Julien's soccer game. Then we all went to Logan's for FND.

It did Gabi good to get out of the house, she's suppose to go back to school Monday but still no physical activity until next Thursday.

Etc....

I had my Biology final Wednesday, made a 94. I took my Art final this morning, don't know the results of that yet. Finals are behind me & I have a 3 week break. YEAH!!!

Kayla watched Gabi today so I could sleep & Mom could run errands and go to Julien's soccer game. When I left coming to work Gabi's temp was 101.5. She's pitiful, thank goodness for Lortab liquid & Advil liquid. She's eating plenty of popsicles, grits, mashed potatoes, chicken soup, etc. She'll be glad when the healing process is behind her, she's ready to hit the pool again.