Best Day Ever!

Been absent from posting this week, as I prepared for "Mommy" to come home for a visit with the kids.  I haven't seen her since July, and we are pretty close.  I have missed her!  So I got the house organized and work stuff out of the way.  As the week came to a close, I found that for the first time in quite a while, I was going to have all seven of the kids together!!  As we have all gotten busy with school, careers, marriages, children, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc., it is a little more challenging to gather as a family.  Usually, we are only a partial group.  Saturday, was a very special day for me because I got to see them all at once and actually have a picture to prove it.  We were missing a few spouses, including "Doc" (for part of the day).  We went to the last football game of the season for "The Surprise", and enjoyed the road trip! The college guys got to come home for the first time since August!

I was in my glory!  We called ""Doc" and he met us for dinner.  Do the math - "Doc", me, seven children, four grandchildren, two girlfriends, one fiance' at a restaurant together.  And when the cook asked who wanted Sake? "Mini Me" jumped right up!  I thoroughly enjoy watching my family interact with each other.  My interactions with them have changed too.  I no longer have to referee the squabbles that I used to settle.  I may give advise to them on how to handle something, but as a rule, I do not interfere.  They are responsible for their relationships with each other and those are separate from my relationship with each of them.  That is something very important to remember.  Don't get mixed up in their relationships!  Listen.  Advise.  and let them go.

As for me, I love watching it all.  The laughter, the pranks, the jokes, the conversations and most of all the genuine love and caring for each other.  Saturday was the best day ever.  They were gathered together and the gathering included people who were important to them also.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate having my picture taken. On Saturday, following the football game as was proud - no ecstatic, to be standing in the center of my gang having our picture taken.  Thanks to the family, for giving me a belated birthday present - having you all together for a great weekend!  Best day ever!!!!