Final Destination: Kilgore to Houston, Day One and Two

In Nacogdoches we stopped for a diaper change, gas and road trip treats. I love a good bag of spicey pork skins. I know, not very sophisticated, but oh so good. A throw back to another childhood memory with my maternal grandfather. Cold beer and fried pork skins were a real treat for my grandpa Rudy. Of course we frown on drinking and driving so I enjoy my pork skins with a cold bottle of water.



Aside from teething and his allergies, Gavin was very tolerant of the overall drive from Knoxville to Houston. He was Mommy and Daddy's little road warrior. We were all excited about making it to my sister's house and not having to drive anywhere for a few days. Mostly I was just happy to be back in TX.



We arrived at my sister's house just as she was coming home from work and picking my niece up from school. Bristol was very excited to finally meet her cousin AND show us her favorite fairy princess outfit.




One of my favorite times of day is in the morning when it's time to wake up our Little Mann for school or Fun Friday with Grandma. Watching him stretch and smile gives me the best feeling. It's impossible for me to keep from snuggling him and giving him lots of good morning kisses. This is Gavin waking up from his nap at Aunt Courtney's. We were about to start getting ready for dinner at Mr. Gatti's.



Gavin was definitely spoiled during our vacation. There was always someone around who wanted to hold him. Of COURSE Aunt Courtney had first dibs, at least until Grandma Kathy and Papa Don arrived a few days later.


Our first night was going great until we got a call from my parents. My grandmother had just had her stroke and they wanted to let us know they weren't going to be able to come until the Friday after Thanksgiving and that it might be a good idea for me to make time for San Antonio because it might be my last time to see my grandmother. Aunt Courtney offered to babysit Gavin the next day so that Casey and I could make our day trip to San Antonio the following morning, bright and early at 5:00AM. As much as I didn't want to spend another long day on the road, I knew it was the right thing to do and of course a week later I was glad I did.

The next morning Casey and I arrived at Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC) to visit my grandmother for the last time.



We sat there with her for a few hours until she fell asleep.

*Interesting side note, BAMC is where the Ft.Hood killer is currently being treated. We had to go through several security checkpoints to get inside the hospital, as well as wear our IDs on our shirts. It was weird to be in the same place as such a high profile criminal.

Additionally, we saw lots of soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a sobering reminder to be thankful for those brave men and women who have been put in harm's way to defend our freedoms.