My parents really are the best. They are just such givers. I really had such a great childhood - I remember Brandon's first time coming into our world when he came to visit my home during Christmas break 2001 and he couldn't believe it haha. He was like I either just stepped into a fairy tale or the 21st century brady bunch haha he says he didn't know families like us still existed haha. I have just been so blessed and I know I don't deserve it, but I sure do appreciate it.
One of the things my parents do for us every year is take everybody on a family vacation! Even before Roxie, my sister, and I were married the boyfriends were invited (or girlfriend if we're talking about my brother). And now that we are married with families of our own - everybody is still invited and my parents pay for almost everything. One of my life goals is to take everybody on a family vacation and WE pay for everything! I will be soo happy when we can treat mom and dad to a huge vacation!
They have taken us to St Martin twice, Disney World twice, a cruise to Bermuda, South Carolina, North Carolina (obviously), Virginia, Washington DC, Massachusetts, all the shore places on the Jersey coast and our most special family vacation spot - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I don't even know how many times we've been there. The family has been going since before I was born. During the high school and college years - we skipped Rehoboth and went to some of those other places - but this past summer we went back and it was sooo great! We got a house right on the beach big enough for all of us and just had an absolute ball. We already booked the same house again for Raymond's birthday week 2008! We are all beach bums of course so that's awesome - but also we love all the other things Rehoboth offers like the nice long boardwalk to jog, walk with the strollers, ride bikes, pull wagons on etc. There is a funland place with lots of games & rides and the boys loved that -- and so do we! see pictures below! haha
The years have been so good to my family relationships - there has been so much healing over past hurts/miscommunications that were just results of those awkward low self esteem yet selfish adolescent years. I have a dream of living close to them again. The cousins already love each other so much - and they remember each other even though they only see each other every 4 - 6 months. We send letters back and forth, talk on the phone and even do the video web conferencing so they can see each other! I want the cousins to all be close. I believe I missed out on not having any real close cousins - I want to make sure to do what I can to give Raymond that opportunity.
You should see the crowds we draw when we're all together because all 3 boys are so close in age! and about the same size now and they all look alike - so we get so many questions - are they triplets? Whose are they? How old are they each? Especially when we dress them alike!
I am so thankful that things happened the way they did - so the boys will be close in age and can play with each other and grow up being best buddies. They are each so different - it's so intriguing to me to see how different they all were right from the start. I look forward to watching their personalities grow and find out what things they each choose to do with their talents!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Oh my gosh, your sister looks just like you!! At first I thought that was a picture of you with the light a different way until I realized it was her. That is so neat!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well. It's a quiet "back to normal" night after the holidays. Snowing a little here today. That always gets the kids wound up.
I was just going to say the same thing as the other comment..that you and your sister look just alike..both beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteLoved all the pics!!