July

I had been looking forward to July all year because much like our busy June, it too would be packed full of all kinds of adventures....Including our long awaited CRUISE vacation to close out the month.

The month began with the 4th of July holiday which was pretty underwhelming for us this year. Our town was under a very strict burn ban due to lack of rain so even sparklers and tiny fireworks were forbidden. So, it was just a typical day for us.

Despite the ban, the city did go ahead with their big annual fireworks display which we watched from the car in our church's parking lot.

The next week we joined our friends the Blaylocks for a little road trip over to Richardson to check out a sweet shop we'd been eyeing online called Sweet Daze. It was definitely worth the drive!

Kyndall and Jaylee

Kyndall chose cheesecake and milk as her treat

I went with a donut and lavender flavored lemonade

Happy kiddos!

Even happier Mamas!

She said it was the "best cheesecake everrrrrrr"

Jackson and Kyndall....Sweet friends but scared to act like it! Ha!

The next weekend we enjoyed some fun at Malani's unicorn themed birthday party

We did some baking in our downtime....

Don't worry, it just adds to the flavor!

Ignore the bedhead and look at how yummy those mini homemade pizzas look

We squeezed in a lunch date with Daddy

We enjoyed time at the pool as often as we could...

Then, it was off on another road tip adventure. This time back to the place we love so much...TENNESSEE!

(photo is to document Kyndall's current obsession at the time--Wendy's chicken nuggets)

Hello, Memphis!! So nice to see you again!

The timing of our trip could not have been more perfect because it allowed Kyndall and I to stop by and visit one of my dearest friends at the hospital in Memphis. Lisa suffers from the same awful liver disease that I do and just four days prior to this picture she received her SECOND liver transplant, thanks to the selfless act of an organ donor. There were many days when I worried I'd never see her again this side of Heaven. The Sunday prior, I put her name on our church's prayer list and on Monday (one day later) she received the news that a perfect liver match had been found. This picture is the perfect representation of what a powerful impact organ donation has on those who so desperately need a life saving transplant. You are looking at two women who were given a second chance at life and are able to continue on as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends all because someone said YES to organ donation!

We made it to Jackson late that Friday night and then headed straight to our favorite yummy place the next morning, Dumplins. How we've missed their homemade rolls with pink strawberry butter and their delicious fruit tea!

We even splurged on a piece of their famous chocolate cake

Next stop was Board and Brush where we created some personalized wood pieces with my Jackson besties, Julie and Lauren. It was such a fun girls' day!

We spent half of our time staying with my friend Julie and her family and then we moved over to my friend Kelly's house for the remainder of our time. Kyndall enjoyed all the fun things Mrs. Kelly's house had to offer like a beautiful pool, yummy homemade goodies and a cozy bed!

On Monday I had to go to Vanderbilt for the first of two appointments that week. Since I would be having a scope with anesthesia I needed a driver to escort me and Kelly so sweetly volunteered not only to be my chauffeur but also serve as my babysitter at the hospital for Kyndall while I was indisposed!

My guts received a good report from my GI doctor and my scope was clear so I'm all set for another year--yay!

As always I had to make a stop by the transplant floor to say hello to all my favorite doctors and nurses. And if you've been following my story then you know that it's always tradition to take a photo in my favorite spot.

We spent the next two days making the rounds all over Jackson trying to see everyone we've been missing and at the very top of that list was Kyndall's best friend Micah. These two first met as mere toddlers in Mrs. Kim's dance class back in 2013 and they made some precious memories during our years in Jackson. 

Likewise, Micah's Mommy Rebecca became one of my very dearest friends, standing by and serving me during some of my most trying days as I struggled through the months leading up to my liver transplant. 

Ever since they were little Kyndall and Micah's favorite thing to do has been to put Micah's dog Ty in the stroller and push him around like a baby. To this day he remains the most patient and long-suffering dog I've ever seen!

Throwback to 2014

Kyndall was able to attend two nights of VBS with Micah which was such a treat!

We also visited with Kyndall's "adopted" Tennessee Grandmothers, Mrs. Katherine and Mrs. Pam

Our trip definitely wouldn't be complete without a stop by the dance studio to say hello to Mrs. Kim, the best dance teacher ever!

Kyndall was about this age when she started dancing with Mrs. Kim in 2013

And of course she wanted at least one meal at her favorite pizza place

Before I moved away I was asked to sit for a photo shoot for Lifeline Blood Center in Jackson so that they could display my photo in their donation center, allowing all of the amazing blood donors to see a real example of a life they've saved. It wasn't completed before I left so I never had the chance to see it until I stopped by on this trip. I feel so honored that they chose me to represent all of the many recipients out there.

Cherie gave me a platform to share my story and afforded me many speaking opportunities and even a TV commercial in order to raise awareness about the need for more blood donors. I absolutely loved working with her at Lifeline!

A very special lunch date with my prayer group and best friends. I miss these ladies SO much but I'm so thankful that despite the distance we still remain close.

Mitzi is one of the most influential women God has ever placed in my life. It was fun surprising her as she shared her testimony at church.

Last but not least I enjoyed spending time with my sweet friend Kelly. She opened her home to me and Kyndall, transported me to Vanderbilt and filled our tummies with yummy homemade goodies all week long.

I couldn't leave town without making a drive by our old house. I'll admit I got teary eyed as I saw someone else's cars in "our" driveway and someone else's wreath on "our" front door. This was the first house that we ever owned and it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Thursday morning Kyndall and I left Jackson and headed back to Nashville for the second time that week so that I could have one more check up with my liver doctor as well as a scan of my bones. I received a glowing report from the liver team and was told not to come back until next year. My bones were "stable" and I'm not showing any signs of further bone loss and that's always great to hear! They drew some blood for routine labs and the sweet tech wrapped Kyndall's hand up in matching pink coban.

Kyndall and I left Nashville around 2:00 pm and made the full 10 hour drive to Tallahassee, arriving around 1:30 am Friday morning. We were there in order to attend my nephew's big 4th birthday party so although it was a very short trip, it was a very important one!

Me and my sister ended up twinning for the party

We made a stop by the mall in Tallahassee that night and Wyatt and Kyndall talked us into renting these crazy animals on wheels. They ended up being SO much fun!

A few videos to show you just how much fun these things were....

Florida has an abundance of frogs where as Texas does not. My little reptile lover couldn't wait to go out on my parents' back pool deck each night and search for these vile things! The kid who is petrified of a germy public restroom can't get enough of all the creepy crawly things. I will never understand!

My other little love, my nephew Easton

Just three days after we arrived in Tallahassee it was already time to leave again and make the long 14 hour drive back to Dallas. Over our ten days since setting out for Tennessee me and my little road warrior traveled a total of 2,580 miles and she didn't complain even once. We kicked off our final leg of the adventure with smoothies for the road.

We spent the next four days unpacking, doing lots of laundry and re-packing because it was finally time for our long awaited CRUISE vacation!

(We did squeeze in a couple night swims at the neighborhood pool before we left again!)