Thursday, June 16, 2011

SWEET DAYS

All I can tell you is grab a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or read this in parts.  For some reason I cannot do a short post. 
Just when I think I will only post a few pictures I remember I am doing this to record life. 
And life is more than a few pictures. I envy those bloggers that can post daily and do short posts.  It just does not work for me. 
When I signed off last we were in Dallas dropping Parker off for his Washington D C trip. 
Guess what?  We were still there 12 days later.  It was one of the cheapest (as vacations go) most fun vacations we have done in a long time. 
We had no agenda.  We had a five star hotel for under $50 a night. 

I am a Priceline junkie and this was one of my better deals. 
A few days after Parker left, Amanda and Jack decided to come to Dallas while Micah was on a business trip. 
She stayed a few days and we shopped and had fun with Jack and then we all surprised Parker at the airport. 
He had a wonderful trip and many stories…but I can’t say much for his pictures.  The event coordinator sent us an email each day loaded with pictures of what the kids did the day before, so we did know what they were doing and could find Parker everyday.

We are so glad that he had the opportunity to go and now he is an alumni and is already invited to Boston next summer. For some reason a 5th grade alumni is funny to me.

Amanda headed home the next day to work on school work and we decided to spend another four days of fun with the boys.

We spent an entire day at LEGOLAND and ended that day with a fun meal at the Rainforest Cafe…(almost made us feel close to the Mouse) 

Below are just some snapshots from the week and I could write a story to go with each one. I won’t! PROMISE!

Just like Bandaids
Jack told me he  just liked band aids…no reason for one


BUDDIES

Parker arriving at DFW to his little buddy!



Jack Dallas 3
Jack and his mom having a little IPAD time!

Sometimes only a Diet Coke will do
Sometimes only a Diet Coke will do!

Woody with Woody
Woody and Woody waiting on Parker to come through the gate

IMAGINATION

Imagination at its BEST!

cool Jack

Enough said!

Love that SMILE

JUST HAPPY!

hotel 5


LEGOLAND  LOOT


Hotel 2

Wonder what he is thinking?

hotel 8

Decisions, decisions….I want one of each….and then he remembered he was with “the grandparents”!  no problem



A Great 3D movie at LEGOLAND



We headed back to the hotel to watch the basketball finals. What a great series between the Heat and the Mavericks.  We had spent the entire week in Maverick land. 

The city of Dallas was electric.

So we spent the entire 12 days sleeping, swimming, eating at new places…a little shopping, renting movies, and planning everyday doing whatever sounded like fun. 
Some days it was just staying at the hotel.
 
Amanda got a chance to have some Mom time at the Galleria shopping, getting a manicure and pedicure..she has been studying so hard that we are always happy when we can give her some free time.  this is a funny picture below.
 
In and Out Burgers has opened in Dallas and the wait even in the drive thru was 40 minutes.  This was Jacks opinion of that and who wanted a stupid hat anyway.




The last part of our trip was one of the most special. 

We decided to drive an hour out of the way and stop at the hotel where Jack had his stroke.
We wanted the boys to have a chance to say “thanks for saving our Pop”! 

I went in first to see if the lady that went to his room and told me something told her to get the door down…someone needed help and needed it now, was at work.

When I walked in I immediately knew the sweet girl at the front.
She had greeted Amanda and me many nights after long days at the hospital wanting to know how Jack was doing. 
She said Priscilla was off but the manager was there.
He had also been there and came out to talk to the kids.
 
Parker was so grown up when he walked over and shook his hand and said “thanks”! 

Talk about a Kodak moment.
Then the receptionist came out of the back and  said she had called Priscilla and she wanted us to wait.  She was on her way to the hotel. 

She walked in and literally embraced Jack for what seemed like an hour.  The last time she had seen him he was very close to death. What a sweet reunion. 
I got a few pictures through the tears.
 
Hotel 3


hotel 4


Dallas 2


We are now back home.  It is so hot here that I have to have a good reason to leave the house. 
I have several sites I want you to visit.
First my head elf, Terri, has opened an ETSY shop.  She has some great things.  I am hoping she will do a post on the holiday blog next week. 
The name is MilandDil Designs.
 
Also stop by this great new blog, Vicki’s Foodies, especially if you are doing Weight Watchers.

These two blogs are prayer requests….
Paige’s Petals
and then what may be a new blog to you…
Amie Hayes Dockery
She is a someone I know thru some friends.  She is a young Mom, a gifted writer, a pastor in Dallas and another example that life changes in a moment.
If you are still with me you are a trooper. Woody aka Jack says thanks for reading to the end.

Jack Hotel

29 comments:

Joyce said...

I stayed to the end : ) I can't seem to do short either...I will often read something on a blog and think, wow-they made their point with just a few words. I've decided I need lots of words and that's just who I am.

Sounds like you had fun with the grands and how nice to see the woman at the hotel who played such an important role in your lives.

Bacardi Mama said...

I'm still here. I couldn't leave without finishing. I love seeing your pictures and reading your stories. Sounds like a great time and I wouldn't have had a dry eye at your last stop.

Vicki said...

Thanks for sharing the blogs at the end of your post. I checked them out and they were both inspiring. Glad you guys had a great vacation in Dallas. Sometimes it's just nice to get away! Also, I meant to email you but got caught up in my life, the Pioneer Woman book arrived in the mail, I can't wait to read it. Thank you again!

Kirsten said...

I'm glad you had a fun trip! I LOVE the Rainforest Cafe! :)

Courtney said...

What a fabulous getaway! I think it is so special that the boys got to meet the people who helped save their grandfather.

ShirleyC said...

I don't know how you hold out to keep up with the grands for that long. LOL
Lucky you getting a cheap rate on the hotel.
What a sweet reunion for all of you! I'm so glad Jack is doing good.

Laura Lowe said...

Great photos! Looks like you had fun! I'm a new follower from the super mega 7 weekend hop. Would love to have you follow me at http://EverythingBeautifulInItsTime.com!

debi said...

I love little Jack, he is so....original :-) Parker...a sweet sweet soul is my sense...I wish we could mold more young men to be like him !

Thanks for the share....
Hugs!

Unknown said...

You have the greatest adventures with Jack, Amanda and the Littles! So cool!!

tracerscouponaffair said...

Wow that looks like it was super fun! Love all the pics..
I am your newest follower from the SAt blog hop

Unknown said...

Stopped by from the blog hop and was already following thru GFC so I sent a friend request to your facebook. I would really love a follow back on FB and if you aren't following me thru GFC I would love that, too! Take your time. I know its a busy weekend and my blog is not going anywhere! Thanks and have a great weekend!

Mary@http://www.mmbearcupoftea.com

Skoots1moM said...

great pics...

Skoots1moM said...

great pics...so much fun w/ the kids

Tammy said...

You've had a crazy busy time! But sounds like lots of fun! :) How special of going to the hotel and saying thank you! :)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

So glad you got to enjoy our city...and here during all the excitement of the Mavs...one of our sons was down at the parade.
We haven't been to Legoland yet, it is on our list for this summer.

Well looks just wonderful and what else can be greater than time with grandchildren.

Happy Anniversary...we celebrated 31 on the 14th of June...time does fly!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

:o) Also stayed til the end :o) Love your update and what wonderful moments for you all! Exciting trip for Parker and Woody aka Jack :o) And special reunion with all of you back at the hotel. (I was right there with you with a tissue when you were talking about seeing those that were there for your hubby!)

Blessings & Aloha!
I am also one to post longer posts (and barely manage to get that "one post a week" post up each week!) Thank you for taking the time to stop over! Yes, the skillet bread is so easy and quick! Happy Father's day to your hubby! Hugs to you all!

Jill said...

Great pictures! Looks like a wonderful vacation.

Blessings,
Jill

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Theresa has left a new comment on your post "SWEET DAYS":

Oh my goodness, those boys are just precious! It sounds like you guys had the BEST time and ended by saying a big thank you!

I know that those two that helped Jack will never forget the reason you were saying thank you OR the thank you!

Have a blessed day dear Teresa, HUGS!

Sue said...

It looks like you had the best time in our area Teresa. I haven't even been to Legoland yet! Was it super busy I wonder? You are making so many memories with your grands. And what a special visit to the hotel and the people that helped your husband. Parker is old enough to really appreciate that.

Sorry you are having trouble commenting ~ that is so frustrating! I'm just glad you stopped by for a visit.

Cheryl Barker said...

Teresa, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. It looks like you've been one busy lady! Have a great week!

ShanaM said...

What a great trip and what a special thing to go to the hotel to say thanks!!

Justabeachkat said...

Girlfriend, I envy how much time you get to spend with your grandchildren! What wonderful memories you are making. And a big one was letting them go thank the people at the hotel for saving Jack. Wow...gives me goosebumps.

Big hugs,
Kat

Love Being A Nonny said...

Thanks for the comment! Of course you can link the House of Littles on your b=next post!

So glad Jack got to go back and meet everyone from that terrible day! Could have been a totally different story! Praise the Lord!

Just a little something from Judy said...

Opening up your heart, sharing sentiments and events with us, makes you seem so real. Thank you for long posts, for journalling so that we can learn from you. You are a beautiful, caring lady. I enjoyed the pictures so much.

Sally said...

Oh goodness gracious, girl. You have me in tears! Such a wonderful trip for Parker, and all of you. Then, the hotel; that's when I lost it. :)

You have an awesome family, but you don't need me to tell you that. ((hugs))

whimzie said...

You all sure know how to have fun! Want to adopt me? :)

larkswing said...

Thank you so much for coming by and leaving the sweet comment! You have a beautiful family and a fun spot to visit!

Smiles!

Cousin B said...

Yes, you've had one hectic year alright. I have 5 grandchildren, 4 are 7yrs. old and one is 10. I don't know how you keep up all over the city with them! I enjoyed your updates and I'll check out those blogs, thanks for stopping by!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

The pictures are wonderful. Sounds like that trip was fantastic. Nothing like a 5 star hotel for $50!