Florida

This week was Hannah's fall break from school, and Nola needed to test for her CCI public access, so I decided to let Sarah and Emily cut school for a few days and head to Florida. It was a very difficult decision. Not.

We had a great trip up, except for some mild car sickness from Emily on the way in. We decided to stay overnight in Georgia, which was fun. Hannah and Sarah hit the pool, and Em and I hung out in the room.

It was such a deliciously normal thing to do. I could have never stayed in the room by myself for any real period of time with both girls. I feel guilty saying that, because of course I wish Abby had been there. But I enjoyed being able to hang out with Emily. I loved being able to say "sure, go swim" to Hannah and Sarah without worrying that I couldn't handle it on my own.

The entire trip was bitter sweet. I will never say that having a single child with a disability is easy, but I will say that based on what we've been through it was a thousand times easier. Even packing. I kept thinking I forgot stuff because I've never packed for only one. SO strange.

As we drove in to Florida, I was swamped with memories of driving in for the first time with 3 year old babies in the back seat. I was so scared of what the future might hold, and through blurry, tear filled eyes looked up to see a double rainbow. I smiled and drove in to my new life.

Driving back again without Abby only ached. Seeing the house she grew up in, and the schools she attended hurt. I didn't expect that. Here in NC, she was sick, home, or in the hospital. There, she lived. Really lived. There, I missed her. There, she simply was.

Even as sad as some parts were, we had a lot of fun too. 

The first day I went to my favorite sushi place. I'm not gonna lie, that was pure bliss! Nothing compares to the super crunch roll.

Sunday we went to church. That, I expected to be hard. It wasn't. It felt like going home. I loved being there with all my sweet friends. Hannah and Sarah were able to hang out with their friends, and Emily had her Mary Beth. It was a great day.
 

Then we had to get Nola ready for her BIG test!

I don't know what was up with Emily's face there, but she loved giving Nola a bath!



Sunday Evening, I spent eating Chinese and laughing with my Crossings friends!  <3 p="p">
Monday, Emily and Nola did amazing on her public access test through CCI. Nola is a rock star. She made us all look good!

Tuesday, I took the girls to the beach, which was wonderful. The beach was perfect. Gorgeous weather, perfect water. Seriously, my happy place.
 

We took a few minutes to remember Abby.

That night I was thrilled to be a part of "sew with me" at Crossings. They made dresses for little girls in Papua New Guinea.  I love these girls, and we had SO much fun laughing and doing something really good!

Debbie seems to be wearing hers, but it's darling and a great color on her!  I love how cute Lucy's turned out!

I loved helping with, although I do pray for the little girl that gets the dress I made. :)))

I think it's really cute!!!

Then sadly, it was time to go home.  It was a fabulous trip, but I needed one more day because we didn't get to see Emily's friend Skyler (which added about 30 minutes of Emily tears to mop up before we left), or my friend Kathi. 

I guess that just means we have to go back really soon! 

All in all, even with the sad parts, it was good.  That's how life will be for us now.  New opportunities and possibilities with the constant knowing that someone really important is missing.  I sure with it could have been different, and Florida could have been greeted with Abby's big smiling face, but I'm grateful for the trip we had!