Wordless Wednesday - Helicopter Tour of Ohau's North Shore

Goodbye Sweetie

Later today, for most of you all, my family will be laying my grandmother, Sweetie, to rest next to her parents.

She passed away on Sunday the 3rd or Monday the 4th (I'm not entirely sure of the day, bc it was evening for me on Sunday...) She had been declining for a few weeks, and went from the hospital to hospice house in Atlanta. Steven and I looked at plane tickets for me to come home, but with it being such short notice we didn't have an extra $1100 laying around. I don't know many newly weds who just relocated who do, and my family has understood, but I still feel bad for not being there.

I was born on her birthday, and remember sharing many parties with her as a young girl. I regret not doing it more as an older teenager, young adult. But can't take that back. My fondest memories of her are from when I was little and all the trips we would take. Beach trips, trips to Disney, the mountains, family reunions, and the Atlanta Zoo. I would go with my brother in the summer for a week or so when we were really little, but as we got older we took turns going down. They had this cabin at the Atlanta Yatch Club that we would go spend weekends at and go out on the boat and just chill at the lake. One birthday we got matching aprons because we loved to cook and bake together! We would always make chocolate chip cookies from scratch when I would visit and Granddad would grill steaks and Sweetie and I would make onion rings!

I loved my grandmother very much, even when I neglected to call or visit. They have done so much for me and many days I feel like I've let them down. They were quick to let me know I had let them down. But would always let me know when they were proud.

I will miss Sweetie, but take complete solice in knowing that she is now with God and her parents and brothers.

Please say a prayer for my family as they lay her to rest at 2pm EST on Thursday, Jan. 7.

Thanks...

New Years

We had a very nice New Years Eve at home. We watched TV, Steven played video games, I played Sims 3. It rained, but that did NOT stop the locals and others in our neighborhood from shooting off fireworks all night. And I'm not just talking about fountains and sparklers, but the big kind. We could see them from time to time outside our window, but the good ones we wanted to see were blocked by the big tree and houses. I wanted to watch the ball drop, but seeing as there is a 5 hour time difference we missed it.

I woke up feeling pretty icky Thursday. Figured it was just a bladder infection, went to the store and got some stuff to help. But by Friday I wasn't feeling any better, and we decided a trip to the ER was in order, since we weren't sure where a quick care type place is and it's TriCare - didn't want to end up paying an arm and a leg. So we drove to Honolulu to Tripler - the locals call it the Pink Palace on the hill because it is pink and on a hill and big. I have to go back on the 7th and will take a picture, bc it is quite ridiculous. Anyways, we got there and waited and waited, and then got back and the doc said it was a bladder infection, gave me a prescription and I was on my way. Well Saturday I woke up really early due to severe pain on my left side. It didn't occur to me until after we decided to go back to the ER that it could be kidney stone. I should have known to have them look on Friday when we were there, since I have a history, but I wasn't in pain there. But bladder infections do occur with Kidney stones. Anyways, we went back on Saturday they hooked me up with an IV and some pain meds. They did a CT to check for a stone, and I have one in my left Kidney that is 4mm in size. I haven't ever had a problem passing a stone, so the doctor sent me on my way with another medicine, pain pills and a nausea med since the pain was so bad. The doctor also noticed that I was coming down with a cold. I feel better kidney and bladder wise, but man my head is killing me and I'm conjested.

Steven is doing well, no health problems, and he has been such an amazing doctor! I'm so lucky! He is actually at the mall, his sunglasses got broken on his way to Hawaii from the airline, so he went to buy him a new pair. The sun here is pretty intense. I am hoping to get me some prescription sunglasses soon. I didn't feel like going shopping, so I've been here watching a House marathon. Steven called a little while ago and should be home soon!

Just thought I'd update ya'll! Hope everyone had a better New Years then we did!

Merry Christmas

There are 2 more presents now under the tree. The bag is Steven's "stocking" and the red one is from my grandparents in Virginia, and the big one is mine! The two that aren't under there here are for Steven.

I fell in love with this in Khols when I found it, we also have a mini snow globe that has the same "N" in it.

A glass ornament I got from the coffee I went to a few weeks ago.

We found this at the PX Monday, we have some other ornaments but since we don't have hooks, we couldn't put them up because the string wouldn't go through.

Anyways, we miss everyone back on the mainland and wish them all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well.

We love you and miss you.