Spring Break 2011

Trip to the Oregon Coast for Spring Break, we played at the beach, visited Cape Mears Lighthouse, and just enjoyed hanging out as a family.

Trip to Florida

I enjoyed a trip back home to Florida at the end of February for my little sister Emily's wedding. I am glad that I got the opportunity to take Lukas and go. Kayla, Maddy & Bryce had school and Brandon was drowning with year end budgets at work. At first I was very torn whether or not to go. Only guessing that Brandon was tired of hearing me be indecisive he booked the plane ticket. Thinking it would be fun to surprise Emily I had asked my parents to keep it a secret. My plan was going pretty good until the day I flew in. I receive a text from Emily and my oldest sister Tami asking "So what time are you flying in?" I said, what are you talking about? I am not coming because tickets are too expensive!" This banter went back and forth and I tried playing it off. The last thing they said was "well see ya tonight at dinner!" I could only laugh. My parents had to go to Emily's and drop some things off and as I walked through the door, Tami yelled, " I knew it!, I knew you were here!" The reaction from Emily was really nothing, not even a hug. I was expecting a little more reaction. I have to admit I felt hurt. I had just left my family, flown 3000 miles, 3 kids at home, and it was Brandon's busiest time of the year at work and the one person I came for was not excited to see me it seemed. As the evening went on things seemed to only get worse. Brandon called me to let me know that it was snowing, which meant NO SCHOOL for the 3 kids at home. This was a nightmare because Brandon had to be at work the next two days. So I found myself feeling guilty for leaving him alone, especially after the reception I had so far received. Emily and I growing up had a close relationship, but distance between us with me going to school, getting married, and moving away to Oregon in such a short period of time had really severed that relationship in many ways. I didn't realize that it had affected her so deeply. With tears in my eyes I told her that I wanted to have things back to the way they were and she expressed the same. Even as hard as it seemed to sacrifice the money, time, and tears, all that went out the window when I saw my little sister radiating with beauty in her dress as she walked down the isle hand & hand with her prince charming, Steven.