Happy 86th Birthday Grandpa!

Today we celebrated Grandpa's 86th Birthday! It was a GREAT day with much to celebrate. He was released from the New Mark skilled nursing facility this morning after a two month stay in the hospital and nursing home.

I am impressed at how much better he is doing in just a short week. Last Sunday mom picked him up and he spent the afternoon with us at their house - he was out of breath from just a short walk from the living room to the kitchen.

This afternoon he was really getting around much better with his walker and did not get winded as easy. He will be staying at mom and dad's until he is well enough to go home and stay by himself. Hopefully that will be sooner than later. I know he is anxious to get back home!

New Pipes!

Saturday the new Vance and Hines Big Shot Long pipes were installed to the Harley. Mike was extremely anxious to get to St. Joe to pick up the bike despite the rain/snow flurries/and 40 degree weather.

The second they started up the bike, Mike was all smiles! It was exactly what he wanted... a very deep/loud potato...potato...potato sound (much louder than the factory pipes that came with the bike). I think we are going to need to invest in some ear plugs now!

Mike bundling up for the ride home!

Someone once told me that once you have a Harley, the spending never ends... there is always the next "upgrade" that you want to make to the bike. I now believe them 100% - Mike is already talking about new handlebars, chroming out much of the bike and much, much more!

Saturday Ride!

Saturday Mike and I spent most of the day on the motorcycle. It was a beautiful day... 65 degrees and sunny - weather that we haven't had in a while in KC. It was a bit chilly on the highway, but the backroads were perfect! We rode almost all day long and had a fabulous time! Next weekend Mike gets Vance and Hines Long Shots installed and the bike is going to be a lot louder then. He is so excited... it's funny to listen to him. He's like a kid the night before Christmas!

Kelly, Michael, Emma, Mom and Dad came over that night for dinner and to watch the KU / North Carolina game. Emma got to ride on the motorcycle with Ummie Mike from the driveway to the garage (with Michael hanging on to her of course). She loved it!

Don't Blink!

Today I was in the car and "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney came on the radio. I have heard this song multiple times in the past, but I've never really paid close attention to the words. Today I really listened and I was moved to tears!

This is such an AWESOME song... it really speaks to what each and every one of us should be doing every precious day we have on this earth... living in the moment and appreciating every single thing that happens in our lives and every single person that is a part of it!

I turned on the evening news

Saw a old man being interviewed

Turning a hundred and two today

Asked him what's the secret to life

He looked up from his old pipe

Laughed and said "All I can say is."

Don't blink

Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you

Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

Don't blink

You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"

Of fifty years is there in bed

And you're praying God takes you instead

Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think

So don't blink

I was glued to my tv when it looked like he looked at me and said

"Best start putting first things first."

Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand

You can't flip it over and start again

Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth

Don't Blink... chorus

So I've been tryin' ta slow it down

I've been tryin' ta take it in

In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in

Don't blink... chorus

Next time you start to wish that tomorrow would get here sooner... sit back and think about "Don't Blink"... it makes you realize how wonderful today is!