I need to catch up.  I have a Labor Day weekend post and a 9/11 post, so I’ll start with Labor Day.  Stress.  It seems to be a constant for me and Matt.  I thought it would alleviate when I left my old job, but was sadly mistaken and disappointed.  My stress level though is minuscule compared to Matt’s.  We’ve had an emergency room visit with chest tightness and pain, he’s had what I believe to be anxiety attacks, and just today he returned to our doctor after 5 days of chest tightness and pain. Heart conditions run in his family.  BIG time.  He had a heart murmur as a child, his sister was born with a hole in her heart, his uncle died in his 30’s of a heart attack, and his dad has had a triple bypass in his 40’s.  We don’t tight heart conditions lightly.  Oh, did I mention Matt’s blood pressure has been averaging 140/80???  This is a man who exercises religiously and eats healthy 99% of the time.  His body fat is around 5%.  He shouldn’t be having heart issues. Therefore I (un-degreed physician that I believe I am) diagnosed stress as the culprit.  The physician that holds a real degree agree with me.  A 2nd EKG came back normal today and although Matt’s being sent for a full cardiac workup, he left the doctor’s office with an anti-anxiety prescription.

We were in desperate need of some time away to detox and de-stress.  Thanks to a hard-earned performance bonus by Matt, we (Matt, Tristan and I) took a road trip to South Padre Island over the long Labor Day weekend.

The most stressful part of each day was deciding whether to head to the beach or the water park.  We savored every minute of the time together.  We laughed with abandon, relaxed, napped and returned refreshed.  Here are some photographic highlights.

First view of the ocean

Remember me mentioning in a past post that for every lovely photo, there is a silly one to follow?!?!  These are my boys in all their crazy, silly glory Indubitably.  Tristan’s favorite word of the moment and it seems very appropriate for this photo.  I adore this kiddo!!!! My handsome angel.  Did I mention I adore him?!?! One of my all time favorite photos of my handsome guys My boy during a sunset walk on the beach I love this picture.  Just love it My little photographer