Beautiful Blue Eye, MO

It's never easy having your parents live far away, especially when you grow up and become a parent of your own. My mom finally admitted to me the other day, she never really thought I would have children, so this made it easier on my parents decision to move. But, then I got married, and now here is Jayla (and hopefully soon to be more). She is one of the youngest of their grandchildren, and I think this makes it hard on everyone. I wish there was a way we could all be closer again, or we're able to see each other more than a year's time.

It was a last minute decision on our end to take a trip out to see them (The Garrett family has been beyond busy). I know my parents would love to come out here, but so much has happened to my mom this past year. It has been hard enough that I couldn't be there for her. To sum it all up, my mom was diagnosed with stenosis of the neck (narrowing of the spinal column) in March. This was after she suffered almost a year of dealing with four severely herniated disks in her lower back, which forced her to stop working (My dad and I both know the pain she deals with. I have two severely herniated disks in my lower back, and my dad has suffered years, two back surgeries, with the same problems). However, my mom unfortunately didn't have much luck with steroids, and what not. She was often whisked away in an ambulance, because when it gets bad enough, you can not walk, sit, stand, lay... you name it. It is by far the worst pain to go through. With all these back issues happening to my mom, they did numerous tests, MRI's, etc. to see how bad everything was (she also has osteoporosis). This is when they noticed the stenosis in her neck, and it was so bad that the doctor quoted "if left untreated, you will end up paralysed, just by simply tripping and falling, or a minor car accident". My mom needed a pretty invasive surgery, and this happened almost immediately. I remember the day she was in surgery all too well; it was midterm week for me, and I had two big tests scheduled that day. I wanted so badly to be there for her, but my mom wouldn't have it any other way. It was a long road to recovery for her, but my mom seems to amaze me more everyday. Those who know her, know what a hard worker she is. She can never sit still; she is always on the go-cleaning something, cooking, crafting, doing yard work. For as long as I can remember, my mom never sat down to watch TV, relax, nothing. With her drive, came her speedy recovery. She told me one day on the phone "I manage to do laundry just fine. I just use really big kitchen tongs to reach the stuff in the washer so I can put it into the dryer". She couldn't move her neck or bend too well, and to most, this would be the end of a lot of things (especially laundry). A day like this for my mom, would send her into severe depression, so she just keeps pushing. She is so independent, and I would put money on the fact that she could out run most of my friends. The doctors and nurses have never seen anyone bounce back form a surgery like she did, and they were all in awe of how well she has been recovering (given her age, 64, and her osteoporosis). With all this being said, I've been dying to get out to her even more.



Finally we made it happen....

We left on July 21st, as to what I planned on being a surprise for my mom, turned into a surprise package for her two weeks prior, with a gift card (toward groceries), and only our itinerary with hi-lighted flight times, and dates. Knowing my mom, and my dad's plea to me, "please tell her somehow you are coming", before we actually get there (my mom likes to prepare, by cooking/baking, a week in advance, and doing any necessary shopping). So, I did, and she was overly thrilled with just enough time for her not to stress, or burn out her candle before we got there.

Jearel took 4 video's of Jayla taking off on her 5th plane ride. Somehow I couldn't get my favorite one loaded (when the plane was taking off in the air. I will continue to work on it for a later post). Jayla is cute no matter what!





As we were walking to meet my parents, Jayla ran straight to Grandma Skorstad, with her arms wide open. It has been over a year since they've seen eachother. I didn't know how well Jayla would take to them, but surprisingly she acted as if she sees them everyday. This was such a relief, and definitely melted my heart.

My sister, her husband, my niece, and nephew were able to drive in from there hometown, Bloomington, IL (a seven hour drive), to spend five days with us. Here is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Skorstad and three of their six grandbabies.

Most of our days (okay pretty much everyday) were spent on Table Rock Lake (the lake my parents live on), either on my dad's boat or just swimming. Jearel got up three mornings in a row at 4:30am, for some fishing (my dad knows best when those fish bite), with my dad and my brother-in-law, Tom. According to Jearel he holds the record for most fish caught, but we all know my dad was the overall winner-HA!

Jayla loved the lake, the fishies, the boat, and just swimming. She my outdoorsy little girl!

Feeding the duckies

This bridge is the only way out to my parents house. I use to tease my mom and dad about that movie "The Butterfly Effect". I'm not gonna lie, it can be pretty eerie at night to drive over.

Jayla was having so much fun!

Yummy breakfasts by Grandma

Thanks to Jayla's swim classes, she has now mastered swimming in floaties. This is a huge step up from the beginning of the summer (she could NOT swim with those suckers on), and even though she still can't swim on her own yet, mommy and daddy are so proud of her.

My parents still own a water bed. Can you believe it?! It is always fun for the grandbabies. Erin, Tyler, and Jayla pretended like it was a boat, as you can see Jayla is the captain. I loved how well Jayla played with her cousins. They all have quite the imagination.

My mom made sure there was never a dull moment for anyone. The kids were kept busy, with all sorts of games, bubbles, coloring books, finger painting, and other crafts.

Jayla really took to her Uncle Tom, this trip. Here she is wrestling him.

Erin and Jayla were having a slumber party. Shhhh don't wake them ;-)

My dad took the kids on a "tractor" ride (Jayla's first). This is also a grandbabies favorite.

Driving down by the lake. I was standing on my parent's back porch. It's BEAUTIFUL out there!

Cheesing it up for Erin's cell phone (11 years old and a cell phone? What is this world coming too?). Don't you just love Erin's up-do (compliments of Auntie Susie)?!

We had a movie day, and took the family to see "Despicable Me". Unfortunately they only had it in 3D, so this was bad news for my dad, who only has one eye (one is a glass eye), and Jayla (she couldn't keep these on). So my dad and mom enjoyed another movie, and Jayla just dealt with the blurriness.

Tyler loves to help Grandpa out. My dad is quite the handyman/mechanic (he owned his own mechanic shop for almost 20 years in AZ), and Tyler takes after him. This is "Alice" (the orange tractor) my dad's new project. She is a 1948(42?) Allis Chalmers tractor that my dad is restoring. The coolest part about this, is my late Grandpa (my dad's dad) use to build these, and now my dad has one to restore.

Jearel, Jodi, Tom, and I all enjoyed an afternoon of drinks at The Landing, while Grandma and Grandpa insisted on babysitting the kids.

We enjoyed every second of our time with out the kiddos.

This was the only picture we got there.

Jayla and her Uncle Tom. Jayla loved this life jacket for some reason and had to wear it around the house. Silly goose!

I LOVE this picture of Jayla's beautiful hair! I must say I am a bit jealous.

Jayla and Tyler being silly.

Finger painting (a first).

She hates to have messy hands, so every minute she was ready to have it wiped off, only to start all over again.

A sad day came, July 28th, and we had to say our goodbyes. Time flys when you are having fun.

Look a my big girl all ready and packed to go home.

Jayla and her Grandpa Skorstad

Jayla and her Grandma Skorstad

Another one with Grandpa

I hate having to say goodbye.

A LATE plane ride home. We didn't pull into our driveway until after midnight. Jayla did so good our entire trip.

~A HUGE thank you to my mom and dad for making our trip AMAZING. We had so much fun. Thank you for all that you do. Nothing goes unnoticed; the yummy food/drinks/hard work, the great memories, and the LOVE of just having us all together.

~Also, thank you to my sister and her family for making the long drive, so we could all be together. We wouldn't have it any other way. And thank you for bringing the good cocktails.

*We love and miss you all, each and everyday*

Till next time!!