Family Time

Well....I enjoyed sharing my first post with you so much, that I decided to go for a second one! On Friday afternoon, we found ourselves cruising down the most boring interstate ever....16...headed to Vidalia, where my hubby, Kit, was born and raised. We would probably live there now if I weren't such a "City Girl!" Ha! Just a side note.....when Kit and I first met in Athens, in 1998...I was still sporting my Gwinnett County accent....whatever that is. Apparently to those from Vidalia I sounded a bit like a city slicker. Don't worry....I have been completely reformed and I am ALL country now! ;) Anyway...those dang emotions got the best of me yet again while on the drive to Vidalia. It dawned on me that the last time we were making that drive was THE DAY....the day that forever changed our lives! December 28th we were heading back to Vidalia after just having left 2 days prior from our Christmas visit there ...but we were back celebrating the LIFE of Kit's Mom who was turning 60! And, on that ride is when I got the phone call from Joey that they finally figured out what was ailing my sweet sister......CANCER! I still remember the details of that day and what sadness invaded our world...again!

But, this was going to be a fun weekend!  We were going to Vidalia this time for a family reunion on Kit's mom's side of the family. We usually make it every year. We like to refer to this event as JOHNSON MANIA!!!.....insert appropriate year here. :) So, my point is....I am thankful for holidays and birthdays and all the things that bring us together with our families. Because, when you think about it....Family is what it is all about! And, so often days pass and turn to weeks and weeks to months and we realize that we haven't seen some of our family! So, we came together with Kit's family and had a nice weekend visit. His older brother lives in North Carolina with his family and we just don't see them often enough! However, they just moved into a newer (and bigger) house that we can crash at now...so they don't know it yet - but they will see us more often...like it or not! He he! The days were filled with visiting, eating, boys climbing trees, visiting, eating, boys climbing trees.....seriously...I'm pretty sure they were in trees more often than not during the daylight hours! Our boys are at least 80% monkey! And....just as mommy always says when they are climbing trees and get too high and scare me to death.....both Drew and Cory fell out of a tree for the first time. Drew's fall was short and he caught himself with his hands right before hitting his face on the ground. Cory wasn't so lucky. Apparently, he hit a few branches and landed on his face with a mouth full of dirt! Ouch! Luckily the only injury was a scraped cheek. And...luckily mommy didn't see it. Believe it or not, on an afternoon in May in South Georgia...I was inside sitting by the fire chatting with one of Kit's grandma's cousins. Sometimes it is so refreshing to hear the perspective of an older generation. Not the perspective that we often hear....of walking to school in the snow...up hill both ways! Lol! This fun and kind soul spoke of fortune (not the monetary kind). You see he recently (since the reunion last year) had a stroke and lost his vision as a result. And, instead of being mad and grumpy about it, he just makes jokes like "It's so good to see you!" He and I talked for a while and he told me that he isn't bothered by it too much and that he feels fortunate that it happened at a time in his life where he didn't have to make that many adjustments...meaning he was already retired, etc...So, he just takes his circumstances in stride and keeps on trucking! It warmed my heart more than I can say. So many people, (myself included) often mumble and complain about things going on in their lives that aren't ideal. But, its nice to ALWAYS remember that it most definitely could be worse. I've thought of that alot over the last few months. I try to be thankful to God every day for the abundant blessings he has given me in my life!  Beyond being thankful for my family, the love of my life, his family, our boys, great friends, etc....there is so much to be thankful for! For instance, I am thankful that Mom is cancer free. I hate that she ever had to have it at all....but what a story of fighting with grace and strength when she was literally (and still is) scared to death of Cancer! I am thankful that I had 32 wonderful years and so many memories with my wonderful sister before she went on to be an angel! Again...I hate that she had to ever get cancer. In losing her I have seen my own life in a whole new light...and for that I am thankful! I guess, in a way I just try to look at the silver lining in things now. Just helps me feel better and its way more productive and spirit lifting than asking why and feeling down!

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 ~ Until next time.... :)
Feel free to leave comments! I love hearing from yall too!


Here are a few pictures from our weekend in Vidalia.....it appears they didn't want to post in any kind of proper order. Oh well...still getting the hang of this blogger thing. Sorry for the pic overload....these were just a few of MANY taken....told you I  LOVE taking pictures!

 

Two little boys mighty excited about a tire swing...Cory with cousin Rainier

 

One of the MANY beautiful trees at the Johnson House

Drew in a HUGE tree. He was even a little nervous up there when the wind started blowing the branch.

Picking peas out of Gaddy & Vimi's garden - YUMMY!

 

Feeding the chickens!

Drew in yet another tree....with flip flops on

Family Pic time.... 

Cousins close in age...Cory (4 1/2) and Rainer (4 next month)

Just a swingin'

Loved this!

 

 

 Kit with his grandma, Marme - such a sweet soul!

Time for a walk

Tractor Rides - free for a hug!

Cory Bug

 

Drewby Doo