Adventure 16 - A Sad Day

I guess that you should probably get the bad with the good so I'm counting Linda's funeral as adventure number 16 even though it's an adventure I would have rather not had.

Josh's stepmom Linda Davis passed away last week after some complications she had during surgery. She had been in pain for a while. In and out of the hospital. She made it through the surgery but had lost a lot of blood in her liver. It just wouldn't start again so they pulled her off the respirator Thursday night. Turns out she had cancer as well, but they didn't know that going in.

So this past weekend Josh and I (and Molly) spent time with Josh's family and doing funeral stuff. I've never been that close to a funeral and all that's involved. Lots to do and lots of family time. Found out that Josh is exactly like his dad. Down to the being ridiculous positive and rational in times when you're just allowed to be sad (dang it).

Anyways - so Molly you won't get to meet your Mamaw Davis. She was definitely a character. Short lady who loved to give presents. We didn't see her very often since we have just now moved back to East TN, but when we did you always knew something big would be going on. She loved garage sales (which they mentioned in her obituary and she even had "underground" yard sales in her garage b/c they aren't allowed in her neighborhood. Now that's determination!). She was surprisingly good at Wii bowling. It was always fun to watch Dennie tease her and get her all riled up over nothing. Her fussing at him and then him off grinning on the side. He loved her a lot, and I'm sure he'll tell you all about her when y'all hang out. She asked about you all the time and bought you tons of stuff even before you were born and before your first Christmas so she loved you too.

So...if you ever read this and care to know more about Adventure 16 ask Papaw Davis. He'll fill you in.

Adventure 15 - Fireflies at Elkmont with Kyoo

So we had our high school reunion last week (AH HA! Maybe that was adventure 14). Anyways I ran into Kyoo Jackson (BFF from Kindergarten), and as we were talking we found out that we were both interested in seeing the synchronized fireflies at Elkmont up in the Smoky Mountains National Park.

After a few days of rain and not catching each other at the right time, we ended up meeting up for dinner at Panera (yumm illegal deli meat) and a late night run up to the mountains. It was a great time to catch up as we drove the hour up to Elkmont from Maryville. The distance isn't so far, but those curvy roads at night can be a beast.

Found parking not too far from the trailhead and stumbled our way up the trail in the dark. We were a few days late of seeing the mass of fireflies, but I still have never seen so many in my life. And they don't all flash at the same exact time, but they do cut off and on at about the same time. So it looks like a million tiny photographers out in the woods flashing their cameras. Paparazzi! Or magic! Like little fairies. There were tons of people so it kind of runs the magic mood, but I can only imagine the first people that got to see these fireflies before the crowds discovered how cool it is.

Guess you can't really see the lights from my belly Molly - but I will tell you that it was beautiful and a great opportunity to catch up with an old friend. :o)

Adventure 14

Josh's sister threw us a baby shower in Knoxville and mom hosted it at her house. Everything looked really cute and despite my lack of church and tons of friends in East TN we had a good group at the shower.