We are off to Southern California in the morning. My little brother, Nate is getting married on Thursday in Newport Beach and all of my brothers and sisters will be there. This will be the first time that all ten of us have been together in about 12 years, and it's for the last wedding.
I am so grateful for my family! I know we have grown beyond a reasonable size to get all together very often (with parents, Grandma, us, and our kids, there will be 50 of us by the end of the week) but there is something comforting in knowing that no matter the situation life throws at you or where life takes you, there is always at least one of them that has been there or is waiting to open their home for you. We live in Minnesota, Wyoming, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho, and cumulatively have seen just about every corner of the world, but it is really the quiet conversations that mean the most.
I also know that Mom would love to be here this week (and I'm pretty sure she will be) to see this milestone-- a culmination of her success at parenting, her unfailing love of her children, and her legacy that still continues strong these 12 years after her death, and extends into families and lives that I encounter on a daily basis.
Nate has always been one of my best friends, and even now when I think that, I remember us arguing as children only to have Mom enter the room and say "You better be nice to each other, one day you'll be best friends." And to this day, we watch out for each other, and are there for each other in an instant-he came all the way from Atlanta the day Addison was born, and stood by my side when Jillian and I were married. I can only hope that I can be half the brother he has been to me.
I'm sure there will be a lot of stories that come from the rest of this week, and we'll be excited to get back and share them all, especially the one of how Addison does on her first 14 hour car ride. She has been great on all of her trips so far, but this one even tries the endurance of her parents!
4 comments:
Steve, I love the pictures of your mom and Brother! I hope you guys have a great trip! Don't forget Jill, if you want to keep Addison's water warm up to 12 hours to try that camping thermous. It really saved my life with my babies when ever we went on long trips. I hope everything is great and you enjoy your time with Steve's family. Love you guys!
Steve that was so great. I hope you guys have a great week. I only wish I was there to hang out. That picture of your mom and brother (he looks alot like garrett or grant I don't know which one is which). What a special time for you guys.
Love ya
What a nice post, Steve! Thanks for sharing it with us! I hope you have a great time with your family. It's so nice that all of you get to spend some time together again.
Steve,
I loved this post!! Thanks for being you!! Being together in CA was wonderful. I'm so sorry to hear about your camera---I sure hope it shows up back in your hands! I know that is something that can make you very frustrated!! Thanks for sharing your video camera with us at Sea World to capture Jessica's "moment" with Shamu. It was so wonderful to finally meet and hold Addison! We love her more now than before!! Love you all!!
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