Notes about our trip

Noelle and I thoroughly enjoyed our 30th birthday trip to Tucson, Arizona. We got to see the city and the desert(which was the highlight of the trip). We also got to spend time at Old Tucson Studios. If you've ever seen a western, or watched "little house on the prairie", chances are you'll recognize some of the buildings and scenery there, because many of them were shot there. The desert is beautiful...nothing like the southeast, where I live. And the weather during the winter is awesome. It was 75 degrees and sunny during the day. at night, we had to wear sleeves...it dropped to about 40 degrees. The food there was amazing! We had Mexican, Southwestern, Jewish, Greek, and Italian food during our stay. And the people were very hospitable. I would recommend this trip to anyone, but go in the winter! I hear it gets plum miserable during the summer!

Pictures From My 30th Birthday Trip to Tucson

Headed to the Sunny/Warm Southwest!

Tomorrow night, I head to Nashville. I will spend the night there and catch a plane the next morning for Tucson, Arizona! I am so excited, I can barely contain myself! My friend, Noelle, is meeting me there and we will be staying until Monday! We are staying at the most awesome hotel--The Westin La Paloma Resort www.westinlapalomaresort.com.
It's going to be such a relaxing trip. I am looking forward to some downtime with one of my best friends! We plan to attend dillinger days, which is a street festival they're having downtown. We also plan to go to Old Tucson Studios...and we are going to go hiking in one of the national parks there. I will definately post pictures once I get back!

Thinking of Robbie

Over the past few days, I've been thinking about my brother, Robbie, a lot. Robbie died after a long battle with Leukemia 12 years ago. The anniversary of his death was Friday. There's still sadness when I think about losing my brother at such an early age. Robbie and I were very close. He was three years younger than me, and we had our fights just like any siblings, but at the end of the day, we loved each other very much. He died my senior year of high school, when he was only 15.

Robbie would be 27 years old now, and I find myself wondering what he would be like. More than likely, he would be married, because he always had girls following him around...and always a couple on his arm. I don't know what he would have decided to do as a career. But I do know that he and I would still be close today.

I have questioned God a lot in the past...why would He take Robbie away from us after such a short time? But as much as I've grieved over the past 12 years, and as much as my family has grieved, I have to trust the Lord. I know I wouldn't be the person I am today without facing my brother's death. I also know that God helped me through those rough times, and sent friends to help me through it. I had some really good friends during my brother's fight with cancer, and when he died.

I know that he is in Heaven, waiting on us to join him. He loved the Lord with all his heart. But it doesn't make us on earth miss him any less. I still tear up when I think about him...even after 12 years.

So, as I think about him, I just want to say, "I love you, Robbie, and I'll see you on the other side."