Family Vacation

Have I mentioned how much I love my family?

The sibling role call is as follows:
Mary--married to Mike. Has three children.
Michelle--married to Tim. Has two children.
Me--married to Cullen. No children
Michael--dating a lovely gal from Denver. No children
Megan--married to Antwain. No children
Matthew--no children.

Yes, we are all M's. Yes, it was funny to hear my mom try to call us by name when she was in a hurry or we were in trouble. Marlegan, Marchelle are just a few of the combos.

Back on track. There is a huge gap in ages--the oldest is 42 and the youngest is 20. My youngest brother is the same age as my sisters oldest son. They are like best friends and they enjoy the chuckles they get when they can introduce each other as uncle/nephew.

Traveling with such a group can be fun, crazy, exhausting and a headache all in one. We were ambitious when we were younger. A road trip with two mini-vans to Orlando and a road trip to a condo in the mountains of Colorado. You see the first trip we went on was to Orlando and maybe a year or two later we went to Colorado. That trip was a trip from h-e-double hockey sticks and thus the last big family trip we ALL went on. Cracked windshields, brakes going out down a mountain, biking in a hail storm, leaving my purse in our condo and having no key to get into our apartment when we got home to Omaha (these are just a few highlights).

It is about time for us to gather again--this time Storm Lake, Iowa on Saturday for the 4th of July. Unfortunately not everyone can get away but those of us going are excited. We are going to swim, eat, swim some more and watch fireworks. No agendas, nothing to do but be together and laugh. These are the days that I feel blessed to have such a close family, siblings that are my best friends and an amazing mother.

I think the lyrics from a song by the 10,000 Maniacs say it best.....
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you – you are blessed and lucky
It’s true – that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

Happy 4th of July! May you find time to be with the people you love. Cherish the time--even if it does not go exactly as it was planned!