Family.

Such a generic title... Such a hugely important word. Christian's mom and niece just left back to Colorado after spending the last two weeks with us in Chattanooga, and then his brother in St. Petersburg. This is going to be a long post, but I haven't posted in a week... there's so much to tell! It was so nice being able to take off and just spend time with them while they were here. Here are some pictures of their visit! 

I picked them up at the Atlanta Airport, and saw this little gem hanging from the ceiling. There were several men and women in uniform; how appropriate! The picture on the right is of Ruth and Maria playing Cornhole against us at Christian's work. That's right. He has a cornhole set at work... Oh! And a ping pong table, foosball table, airhockey, etc. He loves his job.

This is Christian's 'excited' face. His mom brought him all kinds of goodies from back home in CO. Notice the CU hat! The sweater he has on was a gift from my mom two Christmas' ago. His nephew stole it and finally surrendered it back to him. Doesn't he look like Mr. Rogers? Dinner & Sangrias with Ruth and Maria at Taco Mamacita (my fav) on the right.

We are some eatin' fools. The three amigos at Mama's Italian on the left. Maria and Ruth on the right at the Band Perry concert. We had VIP seating... they were awesome!

Goo Goo Dolls night! Maria and I on the bridge listenign to the concert. Obviously we needed a picture of our newly purchased shoes.

awmm.. Love them.

Maria driving the Duck Tour around Chattanooga. The tour was awesome! If you're ever in Chattanooga and want to spend an hour just learning about the history of this area, this is a must! You can find it here. Maria and C at a small gift shop on Lookout Mountain. 

Pretty view of the Tennessee River from Lookout Point! Mom & Son posing in the shade.

All of us on the roof of our loft to watch fireworks. So fun! Ruth was soooo scared! Excuse my makeup-less face. hot tranny mess.

Seriously the prettiest city ever. I love Chattanooga.

My first attempt at making Meringue Chocolate Chip Cookies. Not too bad! Maria and I on the way to the airport to head to St. Pete.

Oh hey there hanchum.

Maria and soon to be sis in law, Melinda! Cute girls. C and I shopping in Tampa.

Seems like that's been a trend. ;)

Jacques (Christian's oldest brother), and fiance Melinda. C and I with our yummy food at Ceviche in downtown St. Pete. We happen to head to FL during Hurricane Debbie, so we did lots of eating, shopping and swimming in the rain at night. We had a blast! We weren't there for the beach anyway. Christian's family seriously rocks. They're good people; i'm super blessed to be apart of their family.

On another, more solemn note, today is the 9th anniversary of my Grandaddy's passing in 2003.

It's a sad day for our family; mainly because so many changes have happened over the past decade. My mom finally got to move 'home' after being gone for the past 20+ years. My Nana remarried an amazing man.  My Mamaw passed away. I got married. The family that was once all located in one area, are now spread out and doing their own thing...

If I can be honest, the only reason I am aware of how huge these changes have been, is because they have really taken a toll on my mom. It's almost like she tried so hard to get out of this town, only to come back and nothing be the same. I think that's part of the reason why it's so hard for me to go back to Colorado. Growing older can be a really sad thing. Changes, while inevitable, can be unbearable.

Christian jokes that he can never take me more than 50 miles from home, for fear that I would run out of breast milk from my mom. Totally vulgar, I know. It's true though... While I have learned that I must leave my family and cleave to my husband, I ache for my family when they're not around.  I can only imagine what my mom must feel.

Here are some old family pics that I absolutely adore. Hope you will too...

Grandaddy

Papaw & Mamaw Trapp- Looking stylish!

Mamaw and the beginning of her great grandchildren.

Papaw Trapp & Chad. You will hear lots about Chad in this blog... He's one of our besties!

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.”

 Arnold Bennett