Heading off to bed early

This morning I woke up, tried to sense pre-getting-up pains and I felt none. Second day in a row? Score. :) I took a pill to let it set in before I got totally out of bed. After I got up, I changed clothes and talked with Mandy about seeing her before she headed back to STL. I missed that girl...I'm excited that when I get back to St. Louis we can hang out more often and make up for lost time. She stopped by and ate some Wibs that dad picked up. We got to chat for a bit and catch up, but not for long enough. She headed out and just about that time Gretchen and her family made it into town. They checked into the Drury by our house and then came by the house. Elly handed me my belated birthday present which was awesome! I got a build a bear that she and Wilson made for me. It has hearts all over it with a sweet shirt, headband, pants, and slippers! I love it. :) When you squeeze its hand, it says "I love you!" So great...I'll keep it forever. I also got a sweet warm blanket that I am excited to use very soon. We finished getting ready and headed down to Sikeston. They got there a bit ahead of us and got our name on the list. The wait was an hour and 45 minutes, so we decided to shop around. First, we stopped by a flea market that was bare at best. Then we headed to the outlet mall for a bit. After one store, the kids got so bored that Mark and Dad took them back to Lamberts to play in the arcade. Gretch, Mom, and I looked around at a few stores before heading back. We waited in a safe little corner area where I couldn't get bumped by one of the bajillion people in line. As usual, the place was packed. Eventually we got to sit down and begin the feast. :p Of course we started off with the rolls. Soooo delicious. :) Elly and I split one. Wilson decided to catch like 5 haha. He actually caught them on his own! So awesome. Elly caught hers too, and quickly set it down because of how steaming hot it was. We ate some okra as a pass-around while we waited for our food. I got a veggie plate and by the time it arrived, I was already full. 'Tis the story of Lamberts. I tried to eat as much of my food as I could, but to no avail. By the end of the meal we had about 6 to-go boxes full of food left to much on later. We stopped by the gift shop on the way out and picked up a harmonica for Elly and a bouncy ball paddle game for Wilson. I rode back to Jackson with the Clardys while Mom and Dad went home to let Macie out. Mom packed up our stuff to stay the night at Drury with Gretchen. We got an adjoining suite which was pretty sweet if I do say so myself, har har. The kiddos put on their swim suits and went straight for the pool. Mark swam with them while I sat nearby, trying not to get splattered by the ton of people who flocked to the hotel tonight. I went to the fitness room (which is actually just a sectioned off area of the pool room) and tried to get in some more walking for the day. Nathaniel stopped by after I asked for him to visit with the fam for a while. He brought Corey with him which was nice since I hadn't talked to him for more than five minutes before. We did a little swim watching and then Mom and Dad showed up. We chatted poolside for a while and then moved to the lobby. Mom had gotten food for Corey and Nathaniel, so they ate dinner while hanging out with us instead of their already planned guys night. I felt bad for making them change their plans, but they seemed to be alright with it. We sat there for quite some time just talking about random things until I made the boys leave and go see their friends. I walked Corey and Nathaniel out to their car and said a quick goodnight in the freezing cold before heading back inside. Gretchen, Mom, and I talked a bit in their living room area before the kids decided it was bed time. Dad went back to the house to take care of Macie since he has to get up early in the morning for a swap meet. I had my first little bit of pain while sitting in the recliner chair here at the hotel. First pain in two days? Not bad at all. :) God is truly a healer in so many ways. Physically, mentally, spiritually...He is so good! Now it's time for me to take out my contacts and hit the sack. It will be my first night of sleeping in a bed other than a hospital bed. Wow...big step. :) Ever since January 4th, I've either slept in a bed at Barnes or a rented hospital bed at Gretchen's and at home. Tomorrow morning shall tell if the mattress suits my back's twisted desires. Who knows if I'll have the best night's sleep in two months or constantly toss and turn. I will let you know tomorrow. :) Good night!