We are gonna be on our way to see Michael Buble!

I've been telling Troy for a while now that if Michael Buble was in concert close enough to us that I wanted to go.  This morning, tickets went on sale for Kansas City Sprint Center!  I was able to get tickets for center stage, 9th row!  Now, I know Troy isn't exactly thrilled with seeing Michael Buble...he would much rather see Aerosmith or some other 80's rock band, however, just for me...he's gonna see Michael Buble!  I love him for it!  I haven't been to a concert for years...I'm a bit excited. 

On the Road Home...

Our flight left Fort Myers, Fl this morning.  I had the pleasure of going through a full body scanner because of my hip replacements...much better than the pat down in Kansas City.  We had an hour layover in Texas and had a chance to grab a bite to eat there at the airport McDonalds.  Once we landed in Kansas City, we had a bus ride to our car.  We both are a bit bummed.  It would have been nice to stay longer in Florida.

We stopped at a casino in Kansas City and played a few slot machines...won 190.00!  We made it home while it was still daylight.  We passed out the few souvenir goodies that we brought back with us and told a few stories about our trip.  Caitlyn loaded up and headed on to her house and the boys and us went on in the house.  The dogs had missed us too..it took twice as long to get through the front door because we had to greet each one and hand out their goodies too.  

I've actually learned alot from this trip.  I've learned that Troy and I can actually leave our kids, pets and house for a few days and everyone will survive.  I've learned that one day, our lives will only consist of each other and we are going to have to figure out how to fill our time without kid's activities.  Most of all, I've learned that a couple of days away did wonders for me.  Even though things didn't exactly go as we planned, in the end everything worked out fine.  Sometimes letting go of a little bit of control gives you a chance to breathe just a little easier.  

Our last day!

Today was our last day in Florida.  We spent some time on Sanibel Island going through the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge...a bit of walking and a bit of driving.  I was hoping to see at least one alligator, but we didn't see any.  We did, however, see a bunch of other wildlife.  

After spending a couple of hours wandering through the wildlife refuge, we had a perfectly healthy lunch at Cheeburger Cheeburger...

Salad and a chocolate shake...a huge cheeseburger followed this...my diet was thrown out the window today!

By this time, a beach on Sanibel Island was calling our names...Troy and I spent some time walking along the water searching for shells while his parents soaked up some sun...and some shade...

A little bit of family and a little bit of beach...

Today, Troy's Grandma planned a little family dinner.  I was a wreck...I'm not much for get-togethers...especially with people I don't know.  We volunteered to run to the store for rolls...and a little break from my stress.  We bought mini custard pies at the grocery store and sat on the parking lot and enjoyed them.  

I was amazed at the landscaping on the grocery store parking lot...it was beautiful!

 It turns out that things went fine.  I was able to learn a bit more about Troy's family history plus meet a few extended family members.  It's kind of hard knowing that when they leave it may be years before we see them again.  

Once everyone had gone, Troy and I made another trip to the beach.  This time, we borrowed some shell collecting tools from the neighbors and brought a net bag for all our treasures.  We only have one more full day left here...leaving isn't going to be easy!

Tomorrow's Plan...Sanibel Island!

Day 2...Florida!

It was amazing to wake up in Florida!  I took this picture to text to mom...we had palm trees outside our bedroom window!  

Today, we picked up Troy's parents at the airport.  Troy's Grandma let us out a few doors down from where his parents were waiting and we walked down to them.  The plan was for me to get to video the whole event, but in his excitement, Troy out walked me and I couldn't keep up with him.  Needless to say, I missed it!  Troy walked up to her and tried to help with her luggage.  She thought someone was trying to steal it from her...until she realized it was Troy.  Unfortunately, at the pickup gate at the airport there's not much time for hello's...we had to squish 5 of us into his Grandma's car and get on our way.  We went to a bird sanctuary and a shopping center at Fisherman's Village.  We finished the night off with dinner at Applebee's. 

We made it!

We made it though the airports without much problem.  In Kansas City, I had to have a pat down in security since my hip replacements set off the metal detector...fun fun...then we had a fairly long wait til the plane boarded.  Once boarded, I did pretty well...until takeoff...I had a mini panic attack.  I didn't come totally unglued which was a good thing, however, the tears started and were impossible to stop.  Once we were in the air, I was much better.  

Our flight to Dallas took a bit longer because they were flying to avoid a storm in the area.  We only had 40 minutes originally to reach our next gate...once we landed we had much less time.  There was no way were were able to board without a quick stop in the bathroom.  We had barely entered the bathroom and they started announcing our names over the intercom...so stressful!  We were the last ones boarded and then we had to wait for a seat cushion and cover to be replaced in first class.  We landed in Fort Myers, Florida pretty close to on time and then had to wait til nearly 3 for Troy's Grandma to come pick us up...she was delayed by a wreck.  Honestly, we didn't really mind...the temperature was in the 80's and it was beautiful.  We grabbed some donuts and chocolate milk and then found a bench and just sat and waited. 

We were antsy to get to the ocean.  We were on a mission to see the sunset over the ocean.  We managed to find our way to Englewood beach...it was more than beautiful...there just aren't words to describe it.  

We just don't want to leave...

We didn't prepare for how to get back to Troy's Grandma's house.  We ended up having to snoop through the glove box to find something with his Grandma's address on it.  We had to use her insurance card for the address and use google maps to find our way back!

Heading to Florida!

Tomorrow, Troy and I will be flying to Florida for the first time ever!  It's been almost 22 years since I have been on an airplane, and have never been on a huge commercial plane.  Zack will be leaving for school again in May.  We were able to squeeze this trip in before he leaves. Since neither of the boys will fly with us, they will be staying at home and holding down the fort and taking care of each other and the animals. Caitlyn moved out to her own house about a week ago.   I'm a nervous wreck...leaving my kids...leaving my animals...leaving home...it's a huge thing for me.  We will be spending the weekend with Troy's grandma, who will soon be 89 and on Saturday will be picking up his mom at the airport...he hasn't seen in her in 6 years!  She has no idea that we will be there.  We have lots of plans after seeing family...I'm hoping everything goes well.  Our plane leaves at 7:40am.  We'll be leaving in the wee hours to drive about 3 hours to Kansas City and get through security in time to board our plane.  We change planes in Dallas and should be landing in Florida about 1:30 in the afternoon...I don't expect much sleep tonight!