Finals. Ugh. The good news is that they're over and I finished the semester out strong. The bad news was how ridiculous that week was. To add the cherry on top, after finals on Friday, I got my HepB titer drawn (and yall know how it usually goes with me and needles) and I got my flu shot (again, with the needles thing). Rachel and Lindsay came with me and Ryan to get it all done. I think they were hoping to see me pass out (like I usually do) and do something cool. Sorry to disappoint you, ladies. Lol. Then I headed straight from school (many thanks to my chauffeurs Melanie and Momma Brooks) up to Arlington to spend time with my mom and Grandma Hill. Poor Ry had to stick around and work a few extra days. It was great to see my family and really get to spend some time with them instead of having to worry about studying though. Grandma wasn't in good shape by the time I got there, but I'm so grateful that she was able to hang on as long as she did so I could talk to her a little. That really helped provide me some closure about the whole situation. So when I got up to Arlington, I was planning on spending about 4 days there, then heading back to Galveston until Christmas. Slight change of plans...I ended up spending 2 weeks there. I just couldn't leave my mom or my Grandma. My awesome, supportive husband came up to Arlington for a few days, then headed back to Galveston for about a week and held down the fort (with the pups and Tig), then the whole clan came back to Arlington for Christmas. I'm SO glad I stayed with my mom and Grandma...it was just us and Grandpa when Grandma passed away on Tuesday night around 10:30. The rest of the week was filled with emotions and so much to do, but we all got through it together with a lot of help from up above. My mom got a double whammy of emotions over the weekend when my sister Brittany decided to move out unexpectedly. The next week was just a whirlwind dealing with all the above plus trying to plan for all the Christmas activities. Before we knew it, Ryan was back in town and it was Christmas Eve! We had a small get-together at my mom's house, and it was really nice. We went to church, had the usual Christmas Eve activities at the Baileys house, then spent Christmas Day at the Miller house. Ryan and I packed up the fuzzy kids and headed back to Galveston that evening. So that brings us up to right about now...here are a few of the happy highlights from the trip:
1. I got to spend time with Grandma before she passed, I was with family during the time they really needed me, and I got to help write the obituary and prepare the eulogy. We all helped each other remember the happy, strong Grandma we all knew and loved. It felt good to smile and laugh a little.
2. I FINALLY (after having my old laptop almost 7 years) sucked it up and bought a new computer. I splurged on a Macbook Pro, and I LOVE it!
3. I spent 2 weeks with mom, dad, Brittany, and Aimee!
4. Aimee and I had a date night...Chick Fil A and a trip to Ulta. Does it get any sweeter?
5. Aimee's school Christmas program was adorable! I missed the Thanksgiving one, so it was really special that I got to go to this one.
6. Dinner and margaritas with Layla at Don Pablos. She knows how to help me slow down and get my mind off the "down" things in life. It was exactly what I needed. Although, I did get a phone call from Aimee at about 9 PM saying that I was out too late and needed to come home, haha!
7. Ryan and I spent Christmas with our families! There are some people who don't get to do that, ya know. It means a lot to us to get to do stuff like that every year. Christmas just wouldn't be the same otherwise.
8. Got to see Rachel perform with the Johnnie High's crew for their Christmas special! They all did so well, and it was great as usual.
9. Babe's opened in Arlington! So of course we had to go check it out!
10. We were able to go back to our church and see some of our friends there. So happy to see everyone again!
So I guess that about wraps it up! We are finally back in town, trying to catch up on rest, and attempting to put the place back together, and get everything done (move work schedules, arrange travel, etc.) in time to head back out of town for Grandma's memorial service. After that, I have to get everything in order to start school back up the first week of January. EEK, I still need to order my books! I told you, time is just flying by! Excuse me, UTMB, could we please have an extra week or 2 of break? Thanks...that would really be lovely. :) Hopefully I'll get some Christmas pics posted soon...we'll see...
Ryan's parents...and Aimee
