Written a few days ago ... catching up ...

Knowing that we had to go to Houston, MD Anderson, we packed everything up, loaded the car and drove out to Joshua and Dessie's for a few days before going on to Houston. We had told Joshua and the grandkids that we would be there on Friday. We told Dessie we were getting there Thursday evening. The look on Joshua's face was priceless. And to hear the screams from the grandkids did wonders to our hearts and souls! 
We enjoyed the time with them SO very much!!! 
It is so much fun to cook for someone who not only enjoys the food, but appreciates the time and effort to cook it. 
Rick and I were privileged to eat lunch at school with both Shell and Kyla. Met a few teachers and friends. 
We helped the grandkids with homework =) ... that was actually fun! Just to see the learning process - take a problem and it is so hard to them, they work on it, figure it out, and the joy when the light shines bright with understanding and clarity!!! 
We spent 6 nights with them. 6 amazing nights. The hardest time came the morning it was time to leave. 
Joshua put his arms around me and held me for a moment. I looked up and there were tears in his eyes. I lost it. Total meltdown. Oh my! How I love that boy!!! 

Everything got packed and loaded - well, except for the EPO shots and 2 vials of insulin - and we got on the road towards Houston, Wednesday around lunch. 
My best friend from 6th grade, Nina, had invited us to stay with them for the time we were in Houston. It was a joy to look forward to spending time with her and Mike. But the joy of looking forward to that time pales in comparison to the actual time with them. 
OMW!!! Nina has the ultimate gift of hospitality - and she used it fully on us those 2 days!!! 
She gave up her bedroom to make us comfortable, so that we didn't have to negotiate the stairs. King size bed with 3" foam topper. pearls, lace, satin. what a beautiful room! made me feel like a princess =)!!! 
Coffee pot in the room, with coffee waiting, cups, sweeteners, creamer ... oh my! 
Luxurious towels for after a relaxing shower. Gotta have one of those rain shower heads!!! 
And sitting on the couch - 2 picnic baskets filled to overflowing with ... devotional books, pens, notepads, coffee cups, chocolate, snacks, sachets, fingernail polish, hand warmers, bath soap, Rick got a small teddy bear, and I got an adorable pink monkey. Talk about feeling spoiled!!! It was Christmas in February!!! LOL 
Supper was ready - and oh how good it smelled. Tasted even better. Meatloaf, turnip greens, green beans, squash casserole, and cornbread. A perfect candlelit supper with Mike and Nina. We laughed and we talked way into the evening. 
Breakfast the next morning before MDA - bacon and eggs with biscuits. Of course, my COFFEE!!! LOL 
Lunch after my appointment was the most mouth-watering beef stew. I usually do not like the stew meat in stew, I make mine with hamburger meat. But I have never had stew meat that tasted like that!!! Oh my!!! 
Rick and I went for a walk with the puppy ... then, went to Jo-Ann's and picked me up a lap quilting frame. Went to Wal-mart and walked around a little more. 
Back to Nina's ... what a supper!!! 1 1/2" New York Strip steaks ... baked potato ... and a salad bar that was over the top!!! Strawberries dipped in powdered sugar for dessert, along with heart shaped homemade cookies and banana-walnut bread hot from the oven. 
Yes - a 5 star bed and breakfast!!! And the best part? Staying with my bestest friend and her sweet hubby!!!
The last morning was a breakfast for the road -- bacon, eggs, biscuits, pancakes!!! 
It was so hard to leave - I have never felt so pampered and spoiled in all of my life!!! 

Back to reality a few hours later ... got to the house ... 
Rick built the fires ... we unloaded ... unpacked ... 
Trying to settle in some ... again ... 
And missing Joshua, Dessie, Shell, Kyla, Mike and Nina so much!!! 
Thank you all for making those 10 days so wonderful - in every way!!! 

---