Hoppy Easter!!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Although, I have grown too old for the early morning rush of running down the hallway to see what the Easter Bunny might have brought my brother and I. Or the hours my brother and I would spend Easter morning hunting for Easter eggs again and again, the meaning of Easter has grown into something more. I have always enjoyed the Easter weekend, with family visiting and big dinners with them each year I begin to realize how special the meaning of Easter is. Even though this years Easter was a little bit different for my family, visiting my dad in Louisville at Radical Rehab and having brunch instead of and early dinner, I think this Easter has been one of the most rewarding Easter I can remember. I am thankful to have this day with my family and the continued recovery of my dad. It has been a great weekend spent with my dad showing us all of the things he passes everyday in his travels and actives at the center. He remembered from the last time I was there that I wanted to see Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby is held, so we went on a tour of that on Saturday, followed by driving around the University of Louisville Campus. It was a miserable rainy day while we were driving around but my dad made it so fun by singing and dancing to the 70's on 7 XM station. It was probably the funniest thing I have seen him do in a looong time. My family and I were laughing so hard we were crying! Today for Easter we had Brunch at a Louisville Restaurant, my dad wasn't thrilled about the idea because it wasn't the way we normally spend the day but he was easily persuaded we he saw the dessert table and started doing this little hum, that he has done for as long as I can remember, of course my family and I started cracking up and the whole restaurant was looking at us like what could possible be that funny. It was like we were back to normal for a little while and it was a really great feeling. I loved spending the weekend with my family in Louisville. I hope each of you got to spend the Easter weekend with the people that you loved and enjoyed it as much as I did.

Daddy's Girl

I can honestly say I have always been a daddy's girl. My dad and I have a special bond that isn't like anything else that I have with my mom or anyone else in my family. I completely adore him to this day and maybe even more than I did when I was 5 and he was my superhero! He has always worked really hard in his life and has provided my brother and I with so many opportunities and memories that I admire him for all the time. In the pass year I think our bond has gotten even stronger with him over coming his injury. As hard it was to see my hero hurt I knew that I had to be the one to fix it and make him back to the hero I have always know. In the beginning when he was here in Morgantown at Health South I would spend hours with him and his therapist working on getting his strength and his mobility back. I was so glad that he was able to be here in Morgantown and I was able to help him in whatever way I could. I remember one of the first week he was at Health South and the therapist were working with him and I came walking down the hall way and he stopped what he was doing and waved for the first time. It was of the greatest feelings just seeing that small gesture and knowing that he recognized me from a distance was incredible. From that day I knew that I could get through this if I continued to have little moments like this. With my dad currently in Louisville, Kentucky finishing the thearphy that he needs is has been really hard for me to not being able to see him every day or talking to him everyday that I am used to doing. Although I know that Radical Rehab is where he needs to be and they have donemiracles with his recovery, I always secretly wish that he was close to me. I guess that's just me wanting to be there to help him. Since he is so far away, I alway try to send him cards and little things that make me think of him every week. A few weeks ago I sent him a T-shirt that I knew he would like with a picture of I had taken while I was on Spring Break. One of my dad therapist e-mailed me today and told me that he was showing of the T-shirt that I sent him and telling everyone that I sent it to him. I was so excited reading that and also proud that he was wearing it. Just another small little thing that he does to make me know that I am still his girl. I know that know matter what happens in my life I will always cherish that special bond that we have. I am always proud to say that I am a Daddy's Girl and that my dad is my Hero!

Laughter is Contagious

As the old saying goes, Laughter is the best medicine and today I believe that to be true. My family and I take turns calling my dad every night and today it was my turn. As soon as he answered the phone I could tell in his voice there was a little change, within two minutes of talking to him I had him laughing. It was wonderful to finally hear my dad laugh his old laugh! There was a time on this journey that I was afraid I would never hear that laugh again. But hearing it today completely melted my heart and I had a renewed since of hope, like okay my dad is still there. Through this "marathon of recovery" that we have been running as a family, laughter is one thing that has pushed us through. We take it one step at at time and continue to be positive and get our dose of laughter whenever possible.

This is the most recent picture of us, this Christmas 2011 <3

Top 10 Things!

I Make Lists For Everything! Here are a few of My Top 10's:

10 Things  on my BUCKET LIST :)

1. See My Dad Fully Recover
2. Visit All 50 States
3. See the 7 Wonders of the World
4. Go SkyDiving
5. Go Backpacking in Europe
6. Experience Something Magical
7. Go Snorkeling
8. Make A Difference in Other People's Lives
9. Learn Another Language
10. Live a Life that I truly Love and mskes me  Happy!


10 Places That I Want to Visit!

1. Paris
2. Florence
3. Greece
4.  LasVegas
5. Cape Town
6. Dubai
7. Los Angeles
8. New Orlenes
9. Sydney
10.Barcelona