THURSDAY

I love living in Florida.  I especially love living on the Space Coast.  I was thinking the other day - ever since I moved here, there have been space shuttles.  The first one launched right after we got married and moved here.  Watching the space shuttle launches has been an integral part of our lives here.  We have watched them from the beach, the back yard, the roof, the windows of various office buildings, even a cruise ship!  (Our first year wedding anniversary...) 

This week while Endeavor launched for her final flight, we watched with mixed feelings.  It is always exciting and moving to watch it lift off above the trees.  Your heart is in your throat and there are many prayers in that heart.  Let them be safe.  Let them return.  Let them find those at the space station in good health and offer them a little bit of "home".  And of course, there is pride.  Many of my friends and family work at the space center and have helped in this incredible accomplishment.

Look between the trees... this is our view from the backyard

Not a cloud in the sky!



Getting higher and higher, you can actually SEE the boosters separate and fall to earth.  SO COOL!  Time to listen for the Bumble.



A friend's photos from the launch site

All that POWER.  We hear that seconds after the launch - we call it the "bumbling".

As we listened to the bumble (and Kyle noticed that you could actually FEEL the roof shake!) I realized that there is only one more.  One more launch.  One more bumble.  One more chance to reach up and touch the sky.  And I cried a little...