On Saturday July 27th at about 2300 hours (11 pm) we began our trip down to Emerald Isle, NC.  We packed up the car and Charles, Christian, Gillian, and I started our trip to North Carolina.  Unfortunately Xavier couldn’t come with us.  It was a long and tiring trip.  Though Charles drove, I barely slept.  At around 11 am, we arrived in Fayetteville, for a couple hour visit with Charles’ cousin and family.  We then drove about 3 more hours to Emerald Isle.

We arrived at the Emerald Isle Baptist Church at around 4 pm on Sunday.  Five other families arrived at about the same time. We met the volunteers (or volunstars as they are called), who would be with us for the week.   Debbie, Ted, Amy, Mike, Sherry, Toni, and Danielle (intern).  We also met the founder of Little Pink, Jeanine & our Retreat Director, Charlie.  Our family Volunstar was Debbie.  After filling out some paperwork and receiving some instructions, Debbie escorted us to the beach home we would be staying in for the week.

The home was about a block and a half from the beach and it was lovely.  There were four bedrooms and two bathrooms and below the home there was a beautiful patio (& outdoor shower to wash the sand off from beach excursions).  We started unpacking, showered, changed our clothes, and then headed back to the Emerald Isle Baptist Church for dinner.  There we got to know the other families a little better. After dinner, one member from each family was chosen to tell everyone else a little about their family.  We also learned a little bit about the Volunstars.  After a long and exhausting day, we headed back to the beach house to get some much needed rest.  Though we took a quick walk to the beach first. We woke up Monday morning and Charles & Christian went on a bike ride together.  Gillian and I also went bike riding but we left later than the boys.  There is a nice bike/running trail on Emerald Isle.

We returned to our beach house and got our bathing suits on and headed over to the Western Regional Beach Access to meet up with all of the other families and volunstars for beach games.  Charles & I spoke to the other parents and volunstars, while the kids hung out and played games with the each other.  Throughout the week I spoke with Connie, Connie, Dawn, Jennifer, and Katrina (the other breast cancer survivors).  Unfortunately, Debbie broke her wrist that morning (& the next day got a bright pink cast!!).  After games, we ate lunch under a pavilion right off the beach.  We headed back to our beach house and relaxed for a bit.

Later on in the day, we went back to the Emerald Isle Baptist Church for dinner.  It was Mexican night.  I think Chris ate around 12 tacos.  The food was good but the company was better.  After dinner, we had family game night. The families broke up into two groups and played two different games.  I can’t remember the names of the games we played but it was fun.   All in all, it was a very enjoyable evening but by 8 pm, I was wiped out.

Tuesday was a busy day.  The first activity of the day was Stand Up Paddle boarding.  We had a great group of guys teaching us to paddle board.  I thought I would stink at it but I was OK.  I had a great time.  Chris & I enjoyed it but Gillian and Charles, not so much. My balance hasn’t been very good since I started chemo, so Charles didn’t expect that I’d do as well as I did.  I think I spent an hour and change on the paddle board.

After paddle boarding, we had lunch at the Chapel by the Sea.  Once again the food was good.  (I ate way too much dessert!!).  After lunch, we headed back to the beach house and Gillian & I spent a little time at the beach.  While the other families went to the Volunstar house for Italian night & crabbing, the four of us took a sight seeing drive and then went to a pizzeria for dinner.

To be continued… I’ve got to get to bed.  We are dropping Chris off at school bright and early tomorrow.