Unexpected Alabama Trip

Shane's uncle Harold unexpectedly died Wednesday night while in the hospital in Birmingham. Death, especially when unexpected, is extremely hard on a family. This is a time that the affected loved ones must find solace in knowing that God, who knows every hair on our head, knows before we were ever born the exact day we will leave our earthly body to join him in Heaven. It is never easy to watch the loved ones left behind mourn such a great man. Grief is never a pretty thing, but it is such an important component of the healing process. I pray that those grieving find peace in knowing that Harold is with his Lord as well as his mother and those he knew that went before him. He is where he is supposed to be; exactly where he is supposed to be, regardless of our selfish hearts wanting him here. He was a man who loved cars, loved to tell jokes and loved his family. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Harold with Pop Pop, Carol and Camden in May 2010

Harold and Carol with Camden in March 2010

We headed for Alabama on Saturday and stayed at a hotel in Leeds, Alabama while we were there which was a half way point between the different family members homes we would be visiting. The first night, Shane and I slept in one bed, while Camden slept in the other and then Casen slept in his pack and play. It was a miserable night because Casen was up every two hours standing up in his crib crying for me. I decided that on the second night we were going to try something different, so Manya gave us a body pillow to use as a barrier on the side of the bed. I will tell you, the next two nights Casen slept like a charm in the bed next to his brother.

Ready for bed

My sleeping sweeties

We were able to sneak in a trip to the Bass Pro Shop where the boys got to see all sorts of fun things and Camden shot his first gun.

We were able to visit with a lot of Shane's family while we were there and the boys got to play with their cousins. The funeral was on Monday and it was a very nice tribute to Harold and the man he was. Afterwards we all gathered at Manya's for food and fellowship. 

Pop Pop with his great grandsons

Manya with the boys and Papa Ron

The boys playing outside.

Malachi and Casen

Kelsey, Shanelle, Casen and Gavin

Malachi

Cousins

We headed back home today so that I could work the last two days of my summer school commitment. We arrived home after an 11 hour or so drive - luckily the boys slept more on our way home, so the drive home seemed a bit easier than the drive there.