AZ, Road Trip, Taryn & Brandon Update

So this is my fourth try at writing this blog about our AZ, Road Trip and the latest update on the kids. I tried to write this as we traveled and never was able to complete it so finally today I have it done!
Tom and I have been reviewing all that has happened during our trip so let me bring you up to date on all of it.

On Dec 12 Tom & I left KW for Fort Lauderdale for Phoenix. This was to be a multifunctional trip to attend Taryn's college graduation, do an early family Christmas, see friends, relocate Tarn to VA and have Christmas in VA.

Our flight went out of Ft Lauderdale on Saturday Dec 13 but with it being a 7 AM flight and a 4 hour drive from KW we drove up Friday night and stayed in a hotel by the airport.
The early flight allowed us to get into Phoenix and start attending the all of the get together's we had planned with friends through out the week. With so many people to see we had time planned dinner each day for visits and mexican food. The mexican food was so we could get our fill. We haven't found good mexican food in KW and wanted to eat as much as we could. I think we managed to have it 5 nights out of 8! It was also really great to see everyone!!! Tom was even able to get to HACI one afternoon to catch up with his old work buddies.

The main reason for the trip to attend Taryn's college graduation. She has completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. We are very pleased and proud of her since nursing school is a long hard road but she made it! Next is to pass the nursing boards and get a job where she would like to work in an ER or Labor/Delivery at a hospital.
So let me bring you to up to date on Taryn's pregnancy and the baby. Taryn has had a rough time since be coming pregnant due to extreme sickness. More than just the usual morning sickness and in fact as been hospitalized twice due to dehydration. Instead of gaining weight as most pregnant woman do she was losing weight. The baby was taking all of whatever she was ever able to keep down so the baby was doing great and Taryn was not. This condition has been diagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum and will be with her for her entire pregnancy. She has a couple of anti-nauseous medication to take all day, has to eat small meals every few hours and try and keep her stress level down. Of course during the last semester of nursing school that wasn't possible so the first 4 months were VERY tough for her.
When we arrived in Phoenix she didn't even look pregnant yet. She was just beginning to gain back a little weight and during the 2 weeks we were with her she finally got her 'bump' and we can tell she is pregnant.
She also had her last OB appointment in Phoenix and since she was 20 weeks they were able to tell what sex the baby is... she is having a GIRL!!!! Yes we VERY excited about that too!!!! Names are still in the works and I am lobbying for her to be called Emma (of course) but nothing has been decided. This is a picture of our 'bump' of a baby girl.

Then on early Sunday morning, Dec 21, we left Phoenix with the 3 of us in Taryn's Toyota Echo. She was relocating from Phoenix to join Brandon in Midlothian VA (a suburb of Richmond). He has been there since Sept when he took a job as the youth pastor for Journey Christian Church. Our goal was to travel between the winter storms and drive straight through if possible so that we would be there for Christmas. It was possible with 3 drivers so it was the goal!
When we left on Sunday we first stopped in Tucson AZ for breakfast with my aunt, Myrtie Jo, and then to Las Cruses NM for an early dinner with my Dad. It was really good to see both of them.

At 4:30 PM Sunday we headed out across TX..... yes and it took us 15 hours to go from the southern/west corner to the eastern/ north corner. I swear it was the widest part we could have crossed and in the middle of the night no less. It also became colder as we headed north. It was a long night where we discovered 2 things....
1) Taryn has her worse sickness at night.
2) Taryn can't stay awake to help drive once the sun goes down. Tom and I ended up doing all of the night driving!
By the time we reached Bristol TN it was 10 PM Monday night and we realized we could not make the last 6 hours to reach Brandon. We found a hotel with soft beds and a hot shower!
Then Tuesday morning we left early to get into Midlothian to join Brandon for a late lunch, see the house they had rented and meet our granddog, Tayler. She is a sweet lab mute that we fell in love with. This picture is the 3 of them in front of the house Christmas day.
We had a great 3 days in VA, had a wonderful Christmas and attended Brandon's church for Christmas Eve service.

Next trip back will be for Brandon's pastor ordination and then in May for when the baby comes. In the mean time Taryn is getting the house set up since Brandon has the 'bachelor minimum' set up, getting some much needed rest and will be job hunting after Jan 1. There are a lot of opportunities in the Richmond area so she won't have a problem finding a place she wants to work.
If there are any changes on them or the baby between now and May I will keep you posted.