ARIZONA-AND A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS!

We arrive in Phoenix to a beautiful afternoon-weather is gorgeous!
After finding our way to Dads new home,it is time to meet Kathy. Mike and I have slowly told Daddy about his new digs-we are not sure what he actually understands,but at this point he seems eager to meet this lady who wants him to live in her house! When we drive up to the house,he seems to like the neighborhood-we have been talking about memories in Arizona-and there are many good ones-Daddy says he is happy to be back here-and really looking forward to seeing Andy! He seems to have gotten the idea of going back to Washington out of his head-for now at least.
We ring the bell-and Kathy answers-there is a warm and welcoming smile-we introduce ourselves,Kathy takes Daddy's hand-I am a mess of emotions inside-but have a good feeling that this is going to be a good,happy, and safe place for Daddy to live. We take a tour of the house-it is really nice! There is only one other resident at this time-her name is June, and she is friendly and welcoming also. Daddy is quite tired from our long journey-Kathy is ready with a nice meal ready for him and June. We have some talking and paperwork to do. I am trying to hold back tears-not because I am sad-it is just all pretty emotional-the past two weeks taking care of Daddy, the trip, everything-all just an emotional overload.While Daddy is eating, Andy shows up-hooray! Daddy is sooo glad to see him-Mike and I too. The three "guys" get Daddy's clothes out of the truck, and start getting his room all set up. I am meeting with the rep from Humana(sorry,Mum) we decide on a plan to hold us over til we know something better to do! It is apparent that Daddy likes Kathy-we do too! It has been a long and tiring day-Mike and I are ready to find our hotel room and just crash.
Andy stays a bit longer with Daddy-Andy is staying close by with a friend and we all agree to meet tomorrow morning.
After a really good nights rest,we head back to Daddy's new home-we have shopped for some new "Arizona weight" jammies, and some vitamins for Dad. Andy is already there,Daddy has not had a really good sleep, but he is happy and says he likes his new home. We have a good visit on the beautiful patio-Daddy is going to have many nice mornings and afternoons on this patio-then it is time for us to head back to the hotel. Andy joins us, and we take advantage of the beautiful spa and pool area. The weather is just perfect-Fall in Arizona is pretty wonderful! Mum and Dad have always enjoyed this time of year here. The three of us(Andy,Mike and I) have a good dinner at the sports bar-they have flat iron steak here!!
In the morning-we head over to the house. Daddy is on the patio with coffee. I am feeling pretty sad about leaving today-but I know he is in a good place and will be fine. I promise him he will never be alone, and we will be back to visit as much as we can. He is reassured when I tell him that Andy will be close by-again, the tears were hard to hold back-and I had to go find a tissue-we hugged really hard,took a few more pictures,put his new jammies in his dresser-and we left again for our return to Lake Elsinore. It was really weird to look into the backseat and see no Daddy, and no Ginger-the ride took us over 8 hours-a major construction tie up-we were on our way to Twentynine Palms for the night,and a visit with Jessica, Shane and Kaley. Mike and I both were in need of a major Kaley fix!
We were able to get on base-and find their new home. Kaley was so cute,so big, and bless her heart she acted like she still knew who we were-and wanted hugs and up in our arms right away! Jessica and Shane looked great-and they knew us too!! Shane made us a great bbq burger dinner-it was so good to see all three of them,and our bed! I was lucky to be able to put Kaley to sleep-she is just a little angel and we so enjoyed seeing her again! We left early that next morning-but will be going to Twentynine Palms soon to spend some more time with Kaley and her cute parents!
When we got home to Elsinore-it was just time to hibernate. for three days we just did nothing but relax and reflect on the last few weeks and all that had gone on.
Daddy is doing well, and Andy is doing a superb job of making sure that he is happy and has everything he needs. We found out yesterday that we will be working in the Verde Valley of Arizona for the Spring. We will be fairly close to Daddy and Andy,and we are really excited to be know that we will be spending the spring in such a beautiful area!