Update: July 4, 2007

Happy 4th of July! Brian and I are still house-sitting (thank you to the Buckner family!). It has been a HUGE blessing not only because of gas prices, but also because I've gotten to spend time with their 16 year old daughter and one of my dance students, Mary Elizabeth, who wan't able to go on vacation because of her work and show schedule (in 42nd Street, Hello Dolly, and High School Musical...she never stops!). Sadly, we will be leaving tomorrow as I have to travel to Columbus this weekend for our national dance competition. Brian originally wanted to go to Columbus as well when my brother, Kory, planned on going, but Kory has a basketball camp this weekend and won't be able to make it. Since competition goes from 8AM until 10PM or so each day, I encouraged Brian to get to Whitesburg for some visit time since he won't be able to visit again until after his surgery. When Kory was going along, Brian would have had someone to go do things with and walk with him when he gets tired of sitting. Without Kory, Brian would be bored out of his mind, so things are much better this way! :)
We will both return home on Sunday, and then Brian will have his pre-admission appointment for his elbow surgery early on the morning of the 9th. Immediately following, we will pack up with my mother and brother and head to Florida for some much needed seaside R&R before his surgery. Dad will have to stay and tend to the animals. My mother and father's side all live in Fort Myers and Tallahassee, and they did not get to visit while Brian was in the hospital, so we'll go to them. They've got a whole list of exciting and new things planned for us. We will head to Fort Myers first where we will charter a boat to go deep sea fishing with my Uncle Sam, Aunt Cindy, and cousins (hopefully it will be much more productive than our excursion in Hawaii!) and then take a trip out on my grandparent's boat for some saltwater fishing of our own! We'll stop through Tallahassee on our way home to visit with my Aunt Cathi, Uncle David, and cousins and go scalloping! Brian gets along well with the two boys in this family. Actually, I think these two boys are the ones responsible for the cake up my nose at our wedding! All in all, it will be a lot of driving, but a good vacation to take Brian's mind off of his surgery. Our plan is to return home Sunday or Monday to unpack, do laundry, and repack for his short hospital stay beginning with his surgery on the 17th. Basically, we'll be living out of a suitcase for a few weeks, but it will be well worth it! We are just so grateful to have the opportunity to plan this special trip for Brian.
Your thoughts are prayers are still much appreciated - as Brian prepares for surgery and as we will be doing a lot of traveling. Thank you for your continued support and love!