Growing up I've been blessed to have a pretty amazing family, who live all over the globe. I've got family scattered across the U.S., Sweden, and Dubai. They are a wonderful bunch, and I look forward to writing more about them as I spend time with some of them at the end of the summer at our family reunion. However, this blog post is dedicated to my new relatives. You see, not only am I blessed to be tied to some amazing people through both my mom and dad, but I also recently received the wonderful gift of even more family, through Amy.
Amy is the wonderful and amazing woman that my dad was lucky enough to marry this last December. I've truly never met a more amazing woman. She has got so much life experience and know-how about everything, it's incredible. I love talking to her because she is a great listener and an even better counsel giver. She's got a great sense of humor, is fun and nice to be around, and is like the easiest person to get along with that I have ever met. And I'm not just saying all this. She truly is an inspiration to me. I have learned so much just being around her. Best of all she has a great laugh that is so contagious. I just love it.
As a result of her marriage to my dad, I also got the most amazing brother ever, James. He has a lot of nicknames. He also goes by JP and Montana. I haven't figured out what I want to call him yet, so I just call him James. But don't worry. I'm thinking of ideas all the time for a good sisterly nickname for him, and when I pick one, it's gonna be good. Anyways, he's just the funnest person to be around. He is so conscientious and considerate of other people. He's got a really kind heart and is a great person. He's also a stud. Between his Roman nose and curly blonde locks, his amazing musical talent and smooth singing voice, and his stellar athletical ability and Halo-playing skills, it's no wonder he's got a girl with him in every single Facebook profile picture he has......bahahaha. Oh how I love to tease. But really, all those things are true. ;] Anyway, he's a cool brother. I have had a blast and half hanging out with him these past few weeks.
Best of all, I have an entire new extended family added to my list of relatives. At least, I like to think I can count them as family (they may not want to count me as part of their family after listening to me play their ears off with ukulele this weekend...). I had a great time getting to know them this weekend as we celebrated James's graduation from highschool and I look forward to getting to know them more in future get-togethers.
I know I probably spent a lot of the weekend being an observer. I guess part of that comes as a result of being shy, but I also just think it's interesting to watch people. Ha. I'm like that weird quiet writer/musician sitting in the corner. It just takes me some time to get to know people. I promise that I eventually open up.
Anyway, I learned a lot this weekend. For example, Amy's mom Lynn is the coolest grandma ever. She is absolutely a riot. I had the funnest time playing telephone pictionary with her. She has got a wonderful sense of humor. I think she's my favorite. But let's keep it on the DL (that means down-low, for any of my older readers....) Her friend Terry also came and spent the weekend with us. She was fun to talk to and has great stories to tell! Amy's sister Dayle and her family are a great bunch. Dayle is the sock-knitting, pie-baking, master. Seriously. It was so entertaining to watch her husband wrestle James too. Their daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Jeff, were fun to watch as they played with their son Xander. He is the cutest and smartest little toddler I've ever seen. Dayle's daughter Christine is hilarious. She and I went to pick up ice cream from the store together and I tell you, that girl can make me laugh. Oh, and let's not forget Amy's brother Brian. I don't think words can really even be used to describe him. Bahaha. No, he's super funny and chill and probably like every kid's dream uncle. Then, last but not least, there's Molly. I think she leaves the most powerful impact on people. Literally. That dog can clear a room. But she's a kind of like the staple of my experiences with visiting DC for the summer. It just wouldn't be the same without Molly.
So, I really am the luckiest person. A great family is like the coolest thing that a person can have in life and I am so happy to have had the opportunity to spend the weekend with this precious gem of a family. It's really a once and a lifetime thing to come across a group of individuals that get along so well and truly enjoy one another's company. The title of this blog says it all. We start and end with family, and when you can find a family that you look forward to being with, you're truly blessed. I'm so excited for the times to come with my old and new family, because they are both just absolutely wonderful.
No comments:
Post a Comment