The last post of 2010

My parents bought annual passes for all of us to go to SEA WORLD. For many years we had passes, but the last couple of years we have found ourselves very busy and not able to go as often. My brother, Bear, loves Sea World, he was very excited when mom and I found a deal on Annual passes for Florida residents.
Mom is still recovering from surgery, but an afternoon at Sea World in a wheelchair appealed to her. We went on Christmas Eve, intending to only stay a few hours...but we stayed until the park nearly closed. It wasn't very crowded, and we got to check out all the changes that had been made in the last 2 years at the park. Plus, we had some delicious cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate to warm us up at the end of the day there.

Bear had been wanting to ride KRAKEN. (the tallest, fastest, floorless looping rollercoaster in Central Florida) Todd and I had rode KRAKEN the first month it was open. Mom didn't 'warn' us about roller coasters, and this one was our first ever. Dad rode with us, mom stayed with Bear who was just an infant in the stoller. When we got off KRAKEN, mom says I was smiling, but that Todd was green. He didn't like KRAKEN at all, and declared he would NEVER ride again.
This year, Bear really wanted to ride, and mom really wanted a picture of the 3 of us riding KRAKEN together.....and so Todd rode. :) Here we are BEFORE riding....

A picture mom took of us GOING UP on KRAKEN.....

After taking all the loops and corkscrews, I am still smiling. Bear enjoyed it, although I think it took him by surprise, he will ride it again. Todd is fairly certain he won't ever BEG to ride KRAKEN. Mom says he wasn't GREEN when he got off this time, and we didn't have to sit and wait for him by the trashcans! ;)

I was taking some pictures of a bird and sea lion that were posing for me.

This sea lion was VERY VERY LOUD. :)

We had a very nice time, and were planning to return this week. But one by one we have come down with the FLU here..... and so our next trip to Sea World will be in a couple weeks.

Looking ahead!

I have a few more tests to complete this semester. It has been a challenge this fall. I have been taking care of mom during the day. Her recovery has been slow because of what all was done...chest cut open, cracked to expose the area where the thyroid was located, and then her chest was wired shut. She also has had some problems getting her thyroid levels at the right spot. She is improving. In the meantime, we have all pitched in to care for her. She jokes that she knows what it is like to live in 'assisted living' now.

Our church has its annual Bible Conference coming up in January, we are looking forward to that. Todd and I will start back to school at the end of January.

Then in April, Todd and I will be going on a mission trip to Trinidad. Todd's passport has come, I had to send in additional proof that I am me. (sighing) We are looking forward to this trip!

In the meantime, there are lots of things for us to do! There are many opportunities to get the GOSPEL out. We have been passing out tracts at parades, on the boardwalk in Daytona Beach, on street corners downtown. Everywhere we go there are people that need to know that JESUS DIED for them. I am thankful for a church that offers many different opportunities each week to get out and serve the LORD. It keeps us busy in a very good way!

What have I been doing (part 5)

My brothers and I attended another wedding....

My dad had another birthday with his traditional cake...picked out by me.

My brothers and I picked out the Christmas Tree....

I made my mom a birthday cake...which was eaten some 3-4 days after her birthday. She wasn't quite up to cake yet, and we were all busy with various things going on.

My brothers chunked pumpkins in the back yard.....

What have I been doing (part 4)

I spent a lot of hours at the Florida Hospital in Altamonte Springs, after my mom had surgery to have a thyroid removed off her aortic arch. She had her thyroid removed 10 years ago, but through a series of CAT scans, PET scans, and ultrasounds, it was discovered that her thyroid had regenerated and was causing a lot of problems. We were all very very shocked.

This hospital has some interesting 'waiting areas'. It is a Seventh Day Adventist Hospital.

One night when we were about to head home, Todd discovered his car had a flat time. Several days later we were headed to church in his truck, and we had a flat time on the interstate. It was a very interesting week for us!

My brothers think they have found 'the one' for me........

Hmmm well, I suppose he does have SOME good qualities about him...but I don't think he is exactly what mom and dad have in mind. (or me!)

Bear waiting while mom is in surgery.......

Todd napping... along with studying...along with waiting....

Mom had to have IVs in both arms, and a Arterial line put in before surgery.

The Arterial line was a new experience.....along with having her chest cut open.

These were part of a 'fun package for us'...

Mom is getting rather tired of surgeries!

This was in the waiting room, mom's sugery took about 4.5 hours. We were able to follow along with this display.

We had Donuts for breakfast, and then Wendy's for lunch. We had to wait a long time

Dad paced........ mom said he would!

And he paced.... Mom knew!

What have I been doing (part 3)

I talked my mom into a new pair of clogs......and they were in her size!

Bear got a new shirt in time for my mom's 5th surgery in 11 months.

We had to be at a hospital about an hour and 20 minutes from our home at 6 am. Several different friends provided us with 'waiting room entertainment'. The hats were a nice touch!

I had been wanting one of those BIG TURKEY DRUMSTICKS.....

Todd and Bear opted for corn dogs....

And a deep fried piece of CHEESECAKE....

That was all after we took our turn manning our church's booth at the Volusia County Fair.

We wanted mom to see that FUNNEL CAKES were there....

What have I been doing (part 2)

We took our parents to CHEESE CAKE FACTORY in Winter Park for an early 30th anniversary dinner. This was right after my mom had an appointment with a thoracic surgeon in Winter Park.

Fried Mac N Cheese balls with sauce Appetizers. They were very good.

Todd had a pepperoni pizza, and my mom had a burger.

Dad and Bear also had different kinds of burgers, while I had the Hawaiian pizza.

Todd had Red Velvet Cheese Cake.....

Mom had the 30th anniversary cheese cake! Dad had regular plain cheese cake. Bear had some kind of cheese cake, while I had an enourmous piece of chocolate layer cake. We all shared our desserts!

We signed a banner for the next shuttle launch...can you see where I signed?

Dad, Todd and Bear signing....

Bear and his 'face' trademark.

Something my mother never thought she would see, one of her children in the back of a police car.....

There Bear looks a bit happier.... he found it interesting to sit in the police car, and thankfully, it was totally voluntary on his part to sit there.

What have I been doing (part 1)

We have been busy at our house this summer and fall. I thought I would let some pictures tell a little about what has kept me busy.

We live 60 miles from church....so going to and from church... sometimes a nap just happens! ;)

Blue boy...... has to be fed, played with, and cleaned out! He is a fun hamster.

This is a parachute at the place where they make the parachutes for the Space Shuttle. It was very interesting to see. Open House was held at the Space Center in September. It was for family and friends of those that work there. This year many people have lost their jobs at the Space Center. My father worked nights for 18 years. He is now working day shift. We are thankful he is still employed, but it is a little different at our house with his new schedule!

This is a sight I have enjoyed seeing most of my life.

A Space Shuttle on a launch pad.

My dad and brothers in the VAB, Vehicle Assembly Building. It is truly one of the biggest buildings in the world. There are many things that are accomplished in this building.

We have been bowling several times.

My brother Todd and I have studied, and taken many tests this year.

I have kept Rosebud cleaned and fed and happy!

We have attended many weddings.....