Back To The Real World :(

We left Destin at about 7:00 p.m. last night, and arrived home about 5:00 a.m. this morning :(
I wasn't excited about returning to "the real world". Kiah and I would have loved to have stayed another week!!!!! The weather was absolutely gorgeous every day but Sunday, our first full day there, it was cloudy and rainy. We had a wonderful time just staying at the beach and pool during the day and going to dinner at night. We did very little shopping this time, we were just too content to be on the beach!!!! I have been to a lot of different beaches, in the states, and feel none compare to the beaches at Destin. I highly recommend this vacation spot to anyone planning a trip to the beach. We have actually been going there for the last eight or ten years, and look forward to it every year!!!! The white sand beaches are beautiful!!!

I have no idea what possessed the girls to buy these tacky hats!!!

A Destin Reunion.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous here in Destin today. We all got pretty burnt after spending all day at the beach and pool.

Wendell has kept in touch with Dr. Seifer, the Dr. that took such great care of me the last time we were here. We met Dr. Seifer, his son James, and his surgical nurse Michelle, along with Jeff and Karen, at The Crab Trap for dinner tonight. We had a great time. It was really good to see Dr. Seifer again, not only is he a wonderful doctor but he is also a very kind, caring man. Michelle remembered everything about taking care of us, it was pretty amazing.

Wendell, Dr. Seifer, James, Me & Michelle.

Punky, Me, Wendell & Kiah

Karen & Me

Jeff & Wendell

Kiah, Me, Wendell & Punky at The Back Porch restraunt last night.

What A Difference The Lord Can Make!!!

Wow!!! What a difference seven months can make!!! Every May for the last 8 or so years, with the exception of last year, our family has came to Destin for a much anticipated vacation. Last year we were dealing with cancer, surgeries, sickness and pain, so we did not make the trip in May, but came down in October, just a couple weeks after completing my chemo and radiation treatments. As most probably remember, I ended up in the emergency room, the day after we arrived, and then was admitted to the Fort Walden Beach Hospital, were I stayed all week until the day before we were to return home. I went through two surgeries at that time to remove the infection from my neck. Although that sounds like an awful vacation, Wendell and I both feel the Lord directed us here, and that trip saved my life. We were directed to a wonderful doctor, Dr. Seifer, who in turn called in an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anistasio. We were told at that time we were dealing with a life threatening infection, and if we had waited 24 hours longer before seeking treatment, the infection would have spread throughout my body. We stand in aw of how the Lord works and brings things together!!! Even after we returned home I had to have IV antibiotics for a week, that Dr. Anistasio had arranged for me. I was so sick and weak before going to the hospital, that Bro. Jeff, loaded a chair onto a luggage cart and pushed me from the Condo to our truck. I was skin and bones without hair at that time!!! When I think back now, of how sick I was then, and how far the Lord has brought me, I can't hold back the tears or praise!!! The Lord has truly been great to me!!!

We arrived here yesterday to beautiful sunny weather!!! Today it is cloudy and raining off and on, but the clouds have not dampened the true joy I feel in my heart just to be alive, and well, and able to make this trip with my family.

Punky and Reid on the beach.

Punky, Reid, Kiah and Wendell Playing football on the beach.