"Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age & dreams are forever. " ~Tinkerbell
I was going through some old pictures and came across some really great shots that brought back memories of how much fun our kids had together growing up! All these pictures bring back so many warm memories and I'm so glad I always dragged my camera out even when it was a pain. Because I've been bedridden for so long now (following surgery), I've had a lot of time to really start reassessing the people, relationships, places and things in my life, and what direction my family is headed now. I'm not really sure it all needs reassessing, but what the heck! It's probably time for some dustin' and some cleanin', hugh?
When I thumb through these albums, I realize that Melissa and I really did a good job at keeping our family's together. I'm so happy our kids love each others company and are so close =) I'm so glad we did, and I'm so proud of us for it! I grew up watching chaotic family relationships that had the ups and downs of the worst roller coaster ride around! There came a point in my adult life when we all realized that we are not required to have every single blood relative actively involved in our lives. "Birds of a feather, flock together." I believe that goes for family too. You really are who you're with.
We have all talked about what we want for our kids and how important it is to have peace in our homes and with our relationships whether they are friends or family. Having what we do now was a conscious effort on our part and it actually worked out! So good. for. us.
I couldn't stress enough to my kids how important it is to not only have very good friends in our lives, but to be a really good friend too. Man, we have some great memories with our families together and I am so grateful!
Literally since our kids have been born, we have been going each fall to the farms in Oak Glen. It's a tradition that I hope we never stop. I hope these relationships we've forged and the efforts we've made to truly keep balance and peace in our home will inspire our kids to do the same when they've grown and have a family of their own. I hope their strong friendships with their cousins will be a source of comfort to them in the time of need, and that they have that constant companion who they can confide in and celebrate with through every stage of their lives. I love all of these kids so much, and I think they have each genuinely turned out to be such good people. I can't wait to see what else our futures hold...
