Quickly. A few thoughts.

A photo essay of our trip to Miami. Not pictured: The stress we caused my mother while we were there. Toddler + Two devil Yorkshire Terriers + My having to work + Teeny House = My Mother Wishing We Left On Monday Instead of Thursday. Anyway, here’s some shots of our better moments:

Celebrating Mom’s birthday at Mr. Chow’s. Not pictured: The foodgasm I had shortly after this photo was snapped.

Visiting Mema & Pop. Not pictured: The amazing joy and love felt that day.

Girls Night Out with Amber. Not pictured: The hideously large bar tab that got us in trouble with the husbands.

A couple of beautiful hours on a couple of different days spent in the sand. Not pictured: Her Daddy who was sorely missed on this trip.

Came home Thursday night to not-so-good news. My Granddad had a bad, bad cold while we were away and he’s been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. They admitted him to the hospital Saturday morning. We visited today and he’s doing better than he was last week. He was alert enough today to curse at his beloved Jets and read an article in the Post about the Yankees wanting to get rid of Matsui that pushed his buttons. He has most definitely not lost his spunk, but the woods. We’re still in ‘em. Prayers are appreciated if that’s how you do things. Strange how fast these things happen. This photo of him with Lyla and I was taken the weekend before we left for Florida at a birthday party for my Dad. I just love it.

Also in the sad-news department…

I never met Anissa Mayhew, but my heart breaks for her and her family since the news of her stroke last Tuesday. I’ve added her to my daily prayers and I look for updates each time I’m near the computer. A young (age 35) mother of three children that has had her share of horror in her life doesn’t deserve this. Prayers and sunny good thoughts go out to Anissa, her husband and children. Hope for a speedy recovery.

And in the not-so-sad news department!

The fabulous Cass from Cass Just Curious, and one of my very best friends, took some photos of the entire Pocklock clan this morning with the goal of me getting the Holiday Greeting Card printed and mailed sometime before, well, Christmas Eve. Now my hardest decision will be picking which photos to feature! I can’t show you all of them because, well, that might ruin it! However, if you visit her blog or her flickr site, you can see a bunch of her faves. She’s quite the talent!

Thank you, Cass. This was such an important morning for us to have. We needed something light and fun to focus on and you made it happen. I’m extremely grateful. Thanks for being a part of our lives. xo

So enjoy the photos, pray for my Granddad and Anissa, and set out to have a positive week. I’m certainly going to do my best to focus on good energies and positivity. Looking at this little face will definitely help.