Conquered

If I were the regimented mother I set out to be ("I will not sleep with my child-ever!"), I would have missed the reassuring pats with chubby little hands on my face and neck, the thick dark lashes parting to reveal an ocean-blue peek for confirmation of mama's presence, sweet warm sighs in my face, and a completely undeniable feeling of being loved...no strings attached...except for maybe from my apron.

A True Visit Home

(Okay, I know this seriously is not a particularly good pic of any of us, but I love seeing the progression of blue eyes! :) )

Going to NC always makes me reflect on the meaning of "home." I currently live in Utah. I love it here. I have a great job, good friends, wide open spaces to explore, yet the southerner in me yearns for the homeland. I do have to say that I get sad pretty much every single time I go "home" to NC because so much changes. I guess if you live there and never leave it isn't as startling, but for me, each time I return I see the footprint of progress... and I do mean footprint. Rarely do I see something that I think looks better. Everytime I go home I see more trees being leveled and more shopping centers rising, and for what?

Well, despite viewing the depleted landscape of my childhood, this trip home was really great. I did get to experience the part of NC that remains remarkably unchanged--family. It is funny to say that given some very obvious restructuring that has occurred in my family over the years. However, everyone is mostly still there in NC and though family lines and grouping may change, new members have been introduced, in this last visit it somehow felt like a trip back in time. Though I had quite a bit of time to spend in NC I really just relished time with my family, particularly because I am blessed to have all of my blood-grandparents living (sadly, I had a step-grandmother pass away). I tried to spend as much time as I could with them and my parents, their spouses and my aunts and uncles, cousins, and brother. Despite major changes in landscape and family trees, I really felt "Home" this trip.

Here are some pics, but I must disclaim that despite my best efforts to document my trip, I failed to get pictures of the following awesome people that I love and must mention: My brother Brandon and his darling wife Hannah with her baby bump, to be named Braden; also, my crazy-cool Aunt Yvonne with whom I got to spend some lovely time; My uncle Johnny, Aunt Renee and two 2nd cousins who stopped by to get a peek at baby Evan.

Evan enjoyed spending time with her cousin Amber,
though they had some challenges in sharing, love carried the day!

If only the world had a Nana, there would be no need for wars...
there is enough popcorn for everyone!

Sticker-head (courtesy of cousin Amber)

Sweet Amber (I love this kid)

Visiting Papaw's dog lot

The"original" papaw

Evan and her "great" Granny Rice

With Granny Strickland (who I am sure would be super mad at me for posting this pic-I have to say that among other things, I got her sense of vanity. :) )

My Aunt Vicki threw a lasagna feast for us. It was like so many dinners we've had as a family through the years. It was wonderful.

Okay, somehow I did not get a picture of my Aunt Vicki (probably because she was working so hard in the kitchen), but do you see her in the background with the big smile on her face? Doesn't she just look like a lovely person?

Of course, Aunt Mitzi is lovely too. And it strikes me that she somehow always has perfect nails.
I say "somehow" because she is a very hardworking lady.

Evan and her second-cousin, Brendon, had a chuckle-fest.

Evan's maternal grandparents:
A Nana

A Papaw

A Poppy (married to the Nana)

And, a Granny Sue (married to the Papaw)

Farewell until I can gird up my loins for another flight with this child!