Mike has been driving a Ford Ranger since before we were married. He racked up 250,000 miles. He hasn't had air conditioning in about three years. For those who know him, you can imagine how he, especially, is completely miserable. Secondly, the transmission is shot. When he's driving he has to skip fourth gear because it will get stuck there. He forgot a couple of times and we had to have it towed. To make things even more unpleasant for him, he can barely get the thing in reverse without everyone turning their heads to determine if the truck is actually going to explode. Also, every once in awhile, for no apparent reason, the alarm will go off. Needless to say, it's time.
So, today we set off in search of a new car! We did our research analyzing specs, pricing, and the various features. We narrowed it down to the car we wanted. We planned our strategy ahead of time.
1) We weren't going to test drive the car...at least not in the beginning. We wanted to know what the price was going to be. What would be the point of driving the car if we couldn't agree on a price? We also didn't want to fall in love in the car before the negotiation. We knew what we wanted but didn't want this to be an "emotional" decision. AND when we did test drive the car...it would be by ourselves! No way were we going to have some high pressure sales person riding along with us.
2) We weren't going to buy today. We were going take the first offer to another dealership to see if they could beat that price. Our salesperson might be begging for us to stay but we weren't going to. Sure, we would give them our cell number and if they could come up with something better, they could just give us a call and we would consider it. But they were going to have to work for our money!
3) We were going to demand free financing. Other dealerships offer this...we saw the ads.
4) We had a number set in our minds and we firmly agreed not to go above that point! Non-negotiable.
5) There was no way we were going to get the extended warranty.
So, we pulled into dealership parking lot, looked at each other before getting out of the car and took a deep breath. Suddenly I felt like I was in a Western. We got off our horses with our spurs jingling. Mike spit on the dusty ground and adjusted the hat on his head and the gun on his side. Off in the distance, we noticed the enemy. Dirty and unshaven, he gave us a cold stare, eyeing up his opponent. With bowed legs and our hands near our sides, ready to grab our guns in a split second we walked toward each other.
"Hi, how are you folks doing today? Can I help you with something?" Okay, he was actually this really nice salesperson. Chris was his name. Firm handshake, good eye contact, clean shaven and not dirty at all, as far as I could tell. But no matter how much we liked him, we would not stray from the plan. We told him what we were interested in and he led the way. We were looking over the cars when he asked, "Would you like to take it for a drive?" Mike and I looked at each other. "Yes...sure". So, Mike and I got in the front and Chris hopped in the back. So much for #1 of our strategy. So far, not so good!
As we were driving , Chris pointed out the features. We also learned more about him...not at his urging...at mine. I tend to want to know people so in those moments of silence I thought I would ask him some questions. He was a senior in college, majoring in finance with an emphasis in real estate. He doesn't mind selling cars but it's not his favorite thing to do. He hoped to get into banking following graduation. He did his share of partying in college but was able to maintain a balance that allowed him to be successful in school. When his hair was longer he looked like Will Ferrell and in fact, talks like him, after a few beers. He gets the music they play at the dealership stuck in his head and sometimes finds himself dancing to 80s music. We, in fact, witnessed this for ourselves when he didn't know we were looking. I really liked this guy. I wanted him to earn the commission on this sale. Uh-oh...this wasn't good.
We completed our test drive and went inside. Chris sat us down in a glass cubicle and left to get the specs sheet and pricing information. When he returned he asked, "So, what would it take for you to leave with a car today?" And the negotiation began. We told him what we wanted...the model, the features...but not the price we were considering. We explained that we had no intention of buying today. We would be going to another dealership after we left. He gave us a number. No good...we won't go above THIS number.
Then they bring in the big guns...Greg! He is the stereotypical car salesman...so stereotypical it made me chuckle. Slicked back long hair, tan as can be, with an arrogance you can practically taste! He handed us his business card. His name is Greg "Armani" (can I throw up now?) and had the same last name as ours...and did they try to use that to their advantage!
We continued the back and forth. We threatened to walk a couple of times. We seem so tough, don't we? In actuality we had NO idea what we were doing. They would leave and I would call my sister asking for advice. Mike and I would whisper to each other our questions and concerns about the process but when "Armani" walked in, we feigned confidence. "We must have free financing." "No can do!" "Alrighty then...we'll go ahead and just take the 3.9%"
Four hours and several thousands of dollars later we agreed. Phew! On to the next phase...financing. And we thought the negotiating was over. Of course they had to push the extended warranty. They explained several packages of extended warranties that would make our monthly payment higher than we could ever imagine paying. We were firm...no, no, no, no, no! But they had one more trick up their sleeve. The finance specialist spoke to Armani. He liked us SO much that he decided to "adopt" us since we have the same last name! (Gag me!) So, we were offered the employee rate! N-O! At least we followed one part of our well thought out plan.
Finally, Mike and I walked out the door, satisfied with our purchase, happy that a college student would be earning the commission. We're almost to the car when I turn around and look at our salesman, Chris. Did I just see him blowing the smoke from his gun and putting it back in the holster? Crap!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
I originally started this thinking it was going to be a fairly brief post but it went in a completely different direction and turned into a lengthy history lesson. Sorry about that!
I have worked in the field of adoption for the past 12 years. I currently work for a private adoption agency, one that was founded in the late 1800s. In fact, I am the search specialist for this agency. I am fascinated by the history of adoption! One of my favorite places to be is our record room...the room that houses the hundreds of records of children who came to our agency for various reasons and who left, hopefully in the arms and embrace of loving parents.
This is the ideal image but in reality, there is more pain than one would like to imagine. The pain seems to correspond with the time in history. In the late 1800s, early 1900's children came to our agency from the city or rural communities miles away by train or buggy. They came to us for a variety of reasons. In some cases, one or both of their parents had died of a disease that would be easily cured today. Some were placed because their parents were living in poverty with no money or means to care for them. And many were removed from their parent's care due to abuse or neglect. For whatever reason, children came to our agency to be placed in foster care or for adoption. The pain of being separated from their previous familiar surroundings didn't stop there.
Siblings were more often than not separated never to see each other again. The sibling relationship was not valued so was not given thought or consideration. There were identical triplet boys placed with our agency who were given to three separate childless couples. All were eventually adopted and so their last names changed to that of their adoptive parents. Amazingly, as adults two of them ran into each other at a store. It was as though they were looking in the mirror but they brushed it off as coincidence. It wasn't until some time later that they learned they were related and that there was a third! Their reunion was remarkable as one could imagine.
After siblings were placed many tried to reconnect with their brothers and sisters by writing to the agency. Efforts were made to pass along correspondence but many in society felt that one should leave well enough alone, that these children needed to go on with their lives. Foster and adoptive parents sometimes refused letters and never told their new son or daughter that a sibling inquired about them. These people moved on with their lives left with a gaping hole and were never given the tools to deal with their losses.
The goal for these children was adoption but many were returned to our agency for replacement. Some children were returned again and again for displaying what we now know are normal behaviors of children traumatized by abuse, neglect, separation and loss. They were "incorrigible" or "feeble minded", "slow learners" or "lazy". There was actually a school called The School for the Feeble Minded. Back then, a child's emotional state due to past experiences was not considered. They were not supposed to feel or act out their anger or frustration. The children were there to please their foster or adoptive parents.
At that time, there was very little that was or could be done to ensure that these foster parents were appropriate...a one page application with two references. One reference had to be from the pastor of their church and another from a friend or neighbor. It was important for them to have good standing in the community. Families would come to the orphanage to look over the children, trying to choose one that looked like them or a boy who was strong enough to work in the fields or a girl who was able to help around the house. When a choice was made either they would take the child with them or, if they were not at the agency when the child was chosen, the child would be sent to them by train.
Most families did as they were asked and kept in contact with the agency. Home visits were made by staff members or those associated with the agency to gather information about the child's schooling, religious upbringing, whether or not their behaviors were "acceptable" or if the parents were "pleased" with the child. Foster parents were encouraged to adopt and many did. Others were asked to sign a contract. The contract bound them to care for the child until the child was 18 years of age at which time they were to provide the child with "$50 and two suits of clothing". Then, dusting off their hands, their obligation was done!
As times changed, so did adoption. Eventually laws were put into place requiring the state to care for abused and neglected children when their parents could not. Private adoption agencies began working with young expectant mothers who were unmarried. If a woman became pregnant and did not get married, either by choice or due to the unwillingness of the birth father, the birth mother had little choice. These women were victims of societies standards. Many were made to feel they had shamed and humiliated their families. When they started to show they frequently left home for the remainder of the pregnancy, hidden from family and friends. A story was concocted to explain the birth mother's absence when in actuality, these young women were living at the maternity home near by, making arrangements to give their child to other parents to raise.
These woman did not feel they had a choice. If they chose to parent their child, either they, their child or both would be shunned and labeled. Friends and neighbors looked down upon the unwed mother. I am saddened for these women who were never allowed to grieve, never allowed to share their experiences with others. At that time people believed that it was best to never discuss "the issue" again. Many of these women went on with their lives, never telling their future husbands, children, another living soul and they carry this burden with them to their graves.
Again, time changed the face of adoption and for the better. Some will argue that society's morals have disintegrated over time. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, teenagers are getting pregnant left and right, children are being raised without fathers leaving the single mother with the burden of caring for her children alone. Although these realities are sobering, there are positives. It is now acceptable for someone to be unmarried and pregnant. I do not agree this is a good plan but single women and their children will not be labeled, shunned, rejected by society simply because they are unmarried and expecting or born to a single mother.
Women who find themselves in a difficult situation causing them to question their ability to parent have a choice to parent or not. If they chose adoption, they can make this decision knowing that most will praise them for this selfless, loving decision; a decision that clearly places them in a position of terrific pain and loss so their child will have a better future. No longer is their decision tainted by the opinions of society.
Fathers now have rights where they never did before. They are urged to be involved in the adoption planning and have the choice to parent, even if the birth mother does not feel she can.
The most important change is the evolution of the relationship of the triad (the birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptee). Birth parents now choose the adoptive parents. They meet each other, get to know one another, share information, and make decisions based on the best interest of the child. Information is shared and in many cases will continue to be shared throughout the years. Adoptees are told they are adopted and if their parents do as they should, they encourage their child to ask questions and seek answers about their history. No longer is there a need for secrecy and dishonesty.
Although times have changed, there continue to be hundreds of people who are still feeling the pain of the adoption experience. There are still adoptees living who were separated from their siblings 70 years ago. There are still birth parents afraid to tell anyone their "deep, dark secret". There are still adoptees that were raised not having any access to information about their birth families. There continue to be adoptive parents afraid of losing their son or daughter so have chosen not to even tell them they were adopted or who refuse to discuss the past. There are adoptees who decide not to learn more about their past for fear of hurting their parents who raised them. These are the people I work with. These are the people I care so deeply about. These are the people who have taught me so many valuable lessons, who will make my adoption experience and that of my son's more meaningful and healthy.
I have worked in the field of adoption for the past 12 years. I currently work for a private adoption agency, one that was founded in the late 1800s. In fact, I am the search specialist for this agency. I am fascinated by the history of adoption! One of my favorite places to be is our record room...the room that houses the hundreds of records of children who came to our agency for various reasons and who left, hopefully in the arms and embrace of loving parents.
This is the ideal image but in reality, there is more pain than one would like to imagine. The pain seems to correspond with the time in history. In the late 1800s, early 1900's children came to our agency from the city or rural communities miles away by train or buggy. They came to us for a variety of reasons. In some cases, one or both of their parents had died of a disease that would be easily cured today. Some were placed because their parents were living in poverty with no money or means to care for them. And many were removed from their parent's care due to abuse or neglect. For whatever reason, children came to our agency to be placed in foster care or for adoption. The pain of being separated from their previous familiar surroundings didn't stop there.
Siblings were more often than not separated never to see each other again. The sibling relationship was not valued so was not given thought or consideration. There were identical triplet boys placed with our agency who were given to three separate childless couples. All were eventually adopted and so their last names changed to that of their adoptive parents. Amazingly, as adults two of them ran into each other at a store. It was as though they were looking in the mirror but they brushed it off as coincidence. It wasn't until some time later that they learned they were related and that there was a third! Their reunion was remarkable as one could imagine.
After siblings were placed many tried to reconnect with their brothers and sisters by writing to the agency. Efforts were made to pass along correspondence but many in society felt that one should leave well enough alone, that these children needed to go on with their lives. Foster and adoptive parents sometimes refused letters and never told their new son or daughter that a sibling inquired about them. These people moved on with their lives left with a gaping hole and were never given the tools to deal with their losses.
The goal for these children was adoption but many were returned to our agency for replacement. Some children were returned again and again for displaying what we now know are normal behaviors of children traumatized by abuse, neglect, separation and loss. They were "incorrigible" or "feeble minded", "slow learners" or "lazy". There was actually a school called The School for the Feeble Minded. Back then, a child's emotional state due to past experiences was not considered. They were not supposed to feel or act out their anger or frustration. The children were there to please their foster or adoptive parents.
At that time, there was very little that was or could be done to ensure that these foster parents were appropriate...a one page application with two references. One reference had to be from the pastor of their church and another from a friend or neighbor. It was important for them to have good standing in the community. Families would come to the orphanage to look over the children, trying to choose one that looked like them or a boy who was strong enough to work in the fields or a girl who was able to help around the house. When a choice was made either they would take the child with them or, if they were not at the agency when the child was chosen, the child would be sent to them by train.
Most families did as they were asked and kept in contact with the agency. Home visits were made by staff members or those associated with the agency to gather information about the child's schooling, religious upbringing, whether or not their behaviors were "acceptable" or if the parents were "pleased" with the child. Foster parents were encouraged to adopt and many did. Others were asked to sign a contract. The contract bound them to care for the child until the child was 18 years of age at which time they were to provide the child with "$50 and two suits of clothing". Then, dusting off their hands, their obligation was done!
As times changed, so did adoption. Eventually laws were put into place requiring the state to care for abused and neglected children when their parents could not. Private adoption agencies began working with young expectant mothers who were unmarried. If a woman became pregnant and did not get married, either by choice or due to the unwillingness of the birth father, the birth mother had little choice. These women were victims of societies standards. Many were made to feel they had shamed and humiliated their families. When they started to show they frequently left home for the remainder of the pregnancy, hidden from family and friends. A story was concocted to explain the birth mother's absence when in actuality, these young women were living at the maternity home near by, making arrangements to give their child to other parents to raise.
These woman did not feel they had a choice. If they chose to parent their child, either they, their child or both would be shunned and labeled. Friends and neighbors looked down upon the unwed mother. I am saddened for these women who were never allowed to grieve, never allowed to share their experiences with others. At that time people believed that it was best to never discuss "the issue" again. Many of these women went on with their lives, never telling their future husbands, children, another living soul and they carry this burden with them to their graves.
Again, time changed the face of adoption and for the better. Some will argue that society's morals have disintegrated over time. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, teenagers are getting pregnant left and right, children are being raised without fathers leaving the single mother with the burden of caring for her children alone. Although these realities are sobering, there are positives. It is now acceptable for someone to be unmarried and pregnant. I do not agree this is a good plan but single women and their children will not be labeled, shunned, rejected by society simply because they are unmarried and expecting or born to a single mother.
Women who find themselves in a difficult situation causing them to question their ability to parent have a choice to parent or not. If they chose adoption, they can make this decision knowing that most will praise them for this selfless, loving decision; a decision that clearly places them in a position of terrific pain and loss so their child will have a better future. No longer is their decision tainted by the opinions of society.
Fathers now have rights where they never did before. They are urged to be involved in the adoption planning and have the choice to parent, even if the birth mother does not feel she can.
The most important change is the evolution of the relationship of the triad (the birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptee). Birth parents now choose the adoptive parents. They meet each other, get to know one another, share information, and make decisions based on the best interest of the child. Information is shared and in many cases will continue to be shared throughout the years. Adoptees are told they are adopted and if their parents do as they should, they encourage their child to ask questions and seek answers about their history. No longer is there a need for secrecy and dishonesty.
Although times have changed, there continue to be hundreds of people who are still feeling the pain of the adoption experience. There are still adoptees living who were separated from their siblings 70 years ago. There are still birth parents afraid to tell anyone their "deep, dark secret". There are still adoptees that were raised not having any access to information about their birth families. There continue to be adoptive parents afraid of losing their son or daughter so have chosen not to even tell them they were adopted or who refuse to discuss the past. There are adoptees who decide not to learn more about their past for fear of hurting their parents who raised them. These are the people I work with. These are the people I care so deeply about. These are the people who have taught me so many valuable lessons, who will make my adoption experience and that of my son's more meaningful and healthy.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Conversation with a 6, 7 and 8 year old
Today, Ryan, Grace, Ali (a neighbor girl) and I were hanging out in the kitchen when Ryan asked, would you rather eat poop or die? This began a series of intellectually stimulating "Would you rather..." questions.
1) The first question: Would you rather eat poop or die?
2) Would you rather eat poop or destroy the house?
3) Would you rather eat poop or kill me?
4) Would you rather eat poop or never eat again? (Do we see a pattern here?)
5) Would you rather have ten toes on each foot or three butt cheeks?
6) Would you rather have three eyes or three legs?
7) Would you rather have three eyes and three legs or have your butt where your face is and your face where your butt is?
Here were my answers: For 1-4 I chose eating poop. 5-This one was tough. Either one would require clothing to be specially made. If I had three butt cheeks, everyone would stare at my butt and, as Ali pointed out, there would be two cracks which would require double wiping. If I had twenty toes, would Mike still like my feet? Hmmmm...I think I would still have to go with the 20 toes. 6-My answer would depend on the location of the third eye. Probably I would choose the third eye unless it was on my face. In that case, I might choose a third leg. 7-I think I would rather have three eyes and three legs.
1) The first question: Would you rather eat poop or die?
2) Would you rather eat poop or destroy the house?
3) Would you rather eat poop or kill me?
4) Would you rather eat poop or never eat again? (Do we see a pattern here?)
5) Would you rather have ten toes on each foot or three butt cheeks?
6) Would you rather have three eyes or three legs?
7) Would you rather have three eyes and three legs or have your butt where your face is and your face where your butt is?
Here were my answers: For 1-4 I chose eating poop. 5-This one was tough. Either one would require clothing to be specially made. If I had three butt cheeks, everyone would stare at my butt and, as Ali pointed out, there would be two cracks which would require double wiping. If I had twenty toes, would Mike still like my feet? Hmmmm...I think I would still have to go with the 20 toes. 6-My answer would depend on the location of the third eye. Probably I would choose the third eye unless it was on my face. In that case, I might choose a third leg. 7-I think I would rather have three eyes and three legs.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
80s Hair
Weren't the 80s the best??? There are a few reasons I decided to post these pictures. First, last week on Fox and Friends (my favorite morning news show) they had 80s week. They asked people to send in their 80s hair pictures. I never had the opportunity to send mine so here it is for all to see. Secondly, I recently sent these pictures to a friend and it made her laugh so hard she disturbed her coworkers. I like to make people laugh so I thought I would share. And lastly, every time I see my cousin, which I did this past weekend, she tells me that she was always so amazed by my hair when I was in high school and couldn't imagine how I could make it so.....big. Thankfully, people don't look at my hair now in amazement...wait...is that a good thing or a bad thing???
Anyway, please ignore the quality of these pictures. It looks as though the pictures got wet at some point. Also, please overlook the background...eek!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Getting to know your friends...
Every once in a while I get a "Getting to know your friends" email. I don't usually pass it along...not sure why because I don't mind sharing. I thought I would just post it here:
1. What is your occupation? Adoption specialist, homemaker, taxi driver, errand runner, accountant, cook, therapist, playmate, all around personal assistant to the King (Mike), the princess (Grace) and our princes (Ryan and Nathan).
2. What color are your socks right now? I'm not wearing socks and don't usually in the summer...well...except at night when I'm cold.
3. What are you listening to right know? The sound of my space heater.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Two chocolate chip cookies
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I learned to drive using a stick. Once you know how, you never forget.
6. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Red...or green....maybe blue.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone. My mom
8. How old are you today? 29!!!! Okay, I'm actually 37.
9. Favorite drinks? Diet Pepsi, milk, Riesling...not mixed together!!!!
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Any sport my kids are participating in. I like to watch professional sports live, not on TV. And I enjoy baseball and basketball the most.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I have blonde highlights.
12. Pets? Montana and Lexi...two very old dogs!
13. Favorite foods? There are so many...most pastas, crab legs, barbequed pork steaks, party potatos, anything from The Melting Pot, chocolate and cheesecake.
14. Last movie you watched? One of the Die Hard movies...Live Long, Die Hard (I think)
15. Favorite day of the year? July 4th
17. What do you do to vent anger? Listen to music, clean, drive, raise my voice, lecture...it depends on why I am angry, where I am at the time.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? My stuffed animals.
19. What is your favorite season? Fall
20. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs
21. Cherry or Blueberry? Neither really, but if I had to pick I would pick Cherry.
22. When was the last time you cried? Sunday on my way home from Ohio.
23. What is on the floor of your closet? Smelly shoes
24. Favorite smells? Vanilla candles, Home Depot, Mike's cologne (Chrome)
25. Favorite sounds? Fighter jets, train whistles, church bells, the ocean, children's laughter, the sax, thunder, the crackle of wood burning, bull frogs, fireworks, drum solos
25. Who inspires you? Soldiers, Firefighters, Police Officers (if they're honest)...anyone who sacrifices for the greater good.
26. What are you afraid of? Drowning, fire, stinging insects
27. What is the last book you read? Amazing Grace by Danielle Steele
28. What is your favorite candy? Snickers
29. Ocean, lake or river? Ocean
30. What was your first job? I was a Dairy Queen! And I can still make the Q!
1. What is your occupation? Adoption specialist, homemaker, taxi driver, errand runner, accountant, cook, therapist, playmate, all around personal assistant to the King (Mike), the princess (Grace) and our princes (Ryan and Nathan).
2. What color are your socks right now? I'm not wearing socks and don't usually in the summer...well...except at night when I'm cold.
3. What are you listening to right know? The sound of my space heater.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Two chocolate chip cookies
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I learned to drive using a stick. Once you know how, you never forget.
6. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Red...or green....maybe blue.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone. My mom
8. How old are you today? 29!!!! Okay, I'm actually 37.
9. Favorite drinks? Diet Pepsi, milk, Riesling...not mixed together!!!!
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Any sport my kids are participating in. I like to watch professional sports live, not on TV. And I enjoy baseball and basketball the most.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I have blonde highlights.
12. Pets? Montana and Lexi...two very old dogs!
13. Favorite foods? There are so many...most pastas, crab legs, barbequed pork steaks, party potatos, anything from The Melting Pot, chocolate and cheesecake.
14. Last movie you watched? One of the Die Hard movies...Live Long, Die Hard (I think)
15. Favorite day of the year? July 4th
17. What do you do to vent anger? Listen to music, clean, drive, raise my voice, lecture...it depends on why I am angry, where I am at the time.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? My stuffed animals.
19. What is your favorite season? Fall
20. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs
21. Cherry or Blueberry? Neither really, but if I had to pick I would pick Cherry.
22. When was the last time you cried? Sunday on my way home from Ohio.
23. What is on the floor of your closet? Smelly shoes
24. Favorite smells? Vanilla candles, Home Depot, Mike's cologne (Chrome)
25. Favorite sounds? Fighter jets, train whistles, church bells, the ocean, children's laughter, the sax, thunder, the crackle of wood burning, bull frogs, fireworks, drum solos
25. Who inspires you? Soldiers, Firefighters, Police Officers (if they're honest)...anyone who sacrifices for the greater good.
26. What are you afraid of? Drowning, fire, stinging insects
27. What is the last book you read? Amazing Grace by Danielle Steele
28. What is your favorite candy? Snickers
29. Ocean, lake or river? Ocean
30. What was your first job? I was a Dairy Queen! And I can still make the Q!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Fourth of July Family Reunion
Every time I think of my dad's side of the family getting together for our Fourth of July celebration I think of laughter. I remember it as a child and I love the sound to this day. This past Saturday I sat at my cousin's kitchen table and just listened to the voices. Several conversations going at once, everyone catching up with each other, relearning each other's lives, recalling past memories...and then the eruption of laughter. First from one side of the room and then the other.
I love my family and each one of my cousins, aunts and uncles hold a special place in my heart for different reasons...reasons I can't explain...they are just a part of who I am, part of my memories and childhood. Every year I enjoy seeing them, getting to know them again, hearing their lives, thoughts, opinions...finding out a little more about who they are. I love seeing my dad and his brothers come together again as adults and just imagine what they used to be like as boys. (This isn't difficult! Tee hee). I appreciate the traditions we have established...the men's golf outings, the women's shopping spree (even though I don't usually go), the Saturday night party, and children running in every direction.
So, what were the highlights from this year? Well, we established that "NO" Cheryl did not conceive the twins in Susan and Andy's yard at the side of the house. Uncle Bob actually did NOT have too much to drink this year! :-) He didn't grab any butts (as far as I know). Mike does an excellent job emptying the trash...and talking trash! Dad, Kathy and Tabitha have an awesome pool. Aaron and Tristan are excellent dancers. Twin babies eat, sleep and poop alot...but we already knew this. Nathan and Noah are adorable. According to Andy and Jim, I look like I have been spending time in South Africa...not funny!!!! Judy and Marilyn love their wine...glasses. Morgan should not jump on the trampoline with little children (just joking, Morgan)...but this did indirectly cause a trip to the hospital for Sophia. Jeff and Ellen still cannot get the word "sucker" off their foreheads...but they are the proud owners of a condo in Las Vegas! Jon and Gloria are proud grandparents for the third time! (We missed you Jason, Liz, Stephanie, Bobby and your little ones!!!) Andy can make coffee...oh...and don't ever wake him up! But by doing so, we found out that Sandy's boobs feel real! (Don't ask) Ed can debate healthcare reform like nobody can...except maybe Sandy. Aunt Judy is one of the most thoughtful people I know...thanks for the gifts! The man-cave is a meat locker. One should never pull Jim's finger. Bob made that mistake! Drew, Mitch and Greg taught Ryan a new word...Suckish! Celine has followed in her mother's footsteps and reads all the time...finished Harry Potter #5. John has freakishly soft hair. Alexis scared Caitlin with her stories about her childhood. Susan can still feed 55 people, throw a party, manage five kids, maintain a beautiful home, drink and relax all at the same time. She's amazing! And drunk people might cuss alot but they don't kill people (Ryan's worry!) Oh, and Grace did not get hurt once! Did I mention that I am a rock star? I'm totally addicted to Guitar Hero...thanks, Drew!
That about sums it up. I posted a few pictures...I didn't get to take that many. I'm still waiting for my sis to send me the ones on her camera and then I'll post more.
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