Those darn heart strings...they pull, stretch, and sometimes feel as if they are so tight they might pull your heart from your chest. But somehow, a phone call or a visit, a smile or a comment and your world is centered again. I love watching my girls interactions with each other, the family at large, and with the grandchildren: Seth, Winter and Cloe. I see Shauna in some of Winter's ladylike actions. Shauna never liked to have her hands dirty. She was always so graceful and watchful. Melissa was mischieveous. She always did things with a big smile or a pouty lip. Seth is just the same. I remember once Melissa gave her uncle a cup of coffee - a cup of dry grounds - to tease him when he wanted a cup of 'coffee' to drink. Her daughter, Cloe, is still developing her personality but you can see she will be a fun-loving, happy little girl. Krista was always our tomboy also liked to dress like a girl. Nicoda is my intellectual - deep - child. She likes to read and ask questions and patiently listens while the answer is being given. But don't think that is the end. She will probably bring it back up a couple of days later because she has thought of something else. The grandchildren love her. Caila is my shy, quiet, sometimes too quiet daughter. She struggles to deal with people who are rude or thoughtless in the school environment. She owns up whenever she has messed up. Unfortunately, she has also learned that not everyone carries those traits - including teachers. I am proud of her. She will mature into a wonderful adult. She loves doing things with the grandchildren. From giving pony rides to dancing, Nicoda and Caila keep the house alive with laughter. And with the introduction of Christina into the throng - watch out - someone is going to smile!
My girls. I love the chaos they bring to my life. Somehow they complete me. And the grandchildren are the icing on the top of an almost perfect love. Krista is almost ready to have her baby. This is her first. I am nervous and excited and .....funny how hard it is to explain those feelings. To see your child go through such a traumatic event such as birthing a child is heartwrenching is many ways. But Kelsey will be a welcome addition to the family.
Watching Seth, Winter, and Cloe is so much fun. They are usually excited and look at me with those big sparkling eyes to ask with a big smile to be hugged, picked up, color, read a book, watch cartoons, or just lie on the bed and hold them.Sometimes I may hold a bear or a ball or a doll while Winter or Seth explains something or wants me to act something out. When meeting someone new, they will shyly duck their head and peer up to wave at someone. Cloe has an amazing smile. It is always there. When she is teething it almost breaks your heart so see her face look so sad.
My family. Thanksgiving was a wonderful event. Twenty-eight people: my parents, siblings, significant others, our children, and our grandchildren. Everyone talking and laughing. Food galore! Everyone contributed in some way. Caila spend a lot of time in the kitchen with Mom making homemade mashed potatoes for this crew - kudos to her. My mother. She hardly ever sits down just to visit during Thanksgiving Day. She is always checking to see if everyone has something to drink and to make sure the food is hot and ready. Early that morning she got up with my father and assisted him in getting ready to go hunting. Then she put her turkey in the oven. (We had two! LOL). It is exciting to watch what everyone brings to the dinner. The desserts and dishes! Oh my. My girls helped me make cookies, homemade rolls, a turkey, stuffing, gravy, ham, and pies. Winter was so funny when she touched the beginnings of the bread dough. Ewwwww! LOL. There are always leftovers. Usually a bunch of us will help clean up. I'm sure Mom was wishing my grandmother could have came. She lives over an hour away and the roads were terribly bad that day. Grandma spent it with my aunt and her family. Chrissy, Jozlyn, and Carlie were not present. They were spending the day with Chrissy's mom and family. I miss them a lot. However, I'm positive everyone generated a beautiful memory somewhere during that day. Chaos and love? Maybe there is something to that riot of positive energy that permeates the soul and welds a bond so strong nothing can break it. So much so that even if you move away--- or get mad and stay away--- there is a pull.....a desire.....to get back home.
Whether we are talking about my children, my sisters, their childen, my parents, or the significant others, they truly are beautiful people. Inside and out. They are giving and warm. Apt to show love in a variety of ways. They are interesting and different. And I love them unequivocally. Absolutely. Peace is when they are all home. Sure it may seem crazy and hectic. But to me that IS home. And the love that is generated between the parties is more than amazing - it is phenomenal!