Where we've been...

Well, I know that some of you know what's been going on in our world, but I think I'm ready to tell everyone else. When I last posted, we were on our way to the happiest place on earth. Our trip did not end so happily. Here's a rundown of what we squeezed in- Disney on Monday, Gatorland on Tuesday, Downtown Disney on Wed., and Thursday we headed to Universal Studios. The original plan was to go with Michael's sister (Paula) and her family, and his brother (Bruce) and his family. At the last minute Bruce decided that he shouldn't go due to some issues with work, this turned out to be a good thing. On Tuesday we got a call that Mike's mom(Ella) had been admitted to the hospital because she was having a hard time breathing. (She had been battling lung cancer for 4 years) Since we didn't want to worry the kids we continued with our plans, cell phones charged and in hand for the next 2 days. On Thursday afternoon, Bruce called and said that the doctors had only given Ella 24-48 hours to live. We immediately went back to the rental house, loaded the cars and raced to Massachusetts.
When we got there, she looked terrible with the breathing machine pumping her chest and all the other tubes and wires coming from her body. We spent the next few days in the hospital and to the doctors amazement she started to recover. Because the cancer had consumed 70% of her lungs, we knew she would never fully recover but she was able to come off the breathing machine and use only and oxygen tank. She was able to sit up and see everyone and talk to us all. They moved her to a nursing home after about 10 days in the hospital. We stayed for 3 more days and she was doing so well in her new place that we made the decision to come home. Paula and Bruce alternated their time with her for the next few days, making sure she wasn't alone for any extended period of time. On Thursday of that week, Ella headed down hill fast. She told the kids that she was tired and ready to go "home". Mike booked a flight out for Friday morning but didn't make it in time. She passed away on Friday, while she was alone. I think she didn't want her kids to be there when she went. It has been so hard on them. All 3 kids were very close to their Mama and they miss her so much.
I jumped on a plane the next day with my kids and we were in Mass for most of the week with funeral arrangements. The funeral was small but beautiful, and the cemetery where she was buried is across from the street where Bruce lives. He can actually see her spot from his 2nd story window. He's keeping an eye on her.
So, after almost a month of traveling, we're back home and things are settling down now. I'll try to get some pics from Disney up soon, I just didn't think this was the appropriate time. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and cards. We really do appreciate them.