These are my people

I am so sad to be writing this post. Even though I have been home from Utah for a week and a half the vacation has continued on. Thanks to a little souvenier called Brielle that I brought home with me. However, she will be leaving us in the morning and in so many ways having her here with us has been the perfect close to the most wonderful month and a half. With the exception of 1 sister on a mission and two brothers in law who had to work I have been able to see every member of our 67 member family and it was wonderful.

There’s a country song that says “these are my people this is where I came from. We’re giving this life every thing we’ve got and then some.” As cheesy as it may sound that tune was in my head almost the entire time I was in Utah and Oregon. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to have that many people who just get me. I can tell the dumbest jokes and people laugh, I can bear my testimony without having to lean over after and ask Travis “did any of that make sense”, I can confidently say whatever I’m thinking without worrying that someone will have an opinion to share of me later and best of all I can be as vocally crazy as I want about Travis without worrying I’ll be making everyone else puke. It’s just the most amazing feeling in families to be able to just be you and feel so loved for it.

On June 15 we had the Tidwell family reunion, afterwards I asked my sister in law Sara how in the world did we get to be a part of this? I’ve tried for eight years now to explain how incredible they are to people and I’m learning there’s just not words for them.  The bond between this family is incredible. You will never see a group that experiences unconditional love the way the Tidwell’s do. If you are part of their family that is all it takes for them to see every good attribute you possess and let go of all flaws. If everyone could be so forgiving of the weaknesses of others and have so much doing it.

 Above: Potentially the funnest night of my life. I laughed till I cried with Shannon and Tori
Below: Travis and Nelson's matching fathers day ties, the results of the funnest girls night ever.

                              Ethan and Chase have to be the funnest 10 year old boys ever.

4 generation photos of all of the kids, Travis, Grandma Rolinda and her parents Great Grandpa Verne and Shirley.

 The bitter sweet ending of our time with the Tidwell's was Ammon's farewell, although his talk sounded more like someone returning home it was all the more reminder that this kid is something special.

After the incredible time spent with the in-laws Travis flew onto Iowa and I drove with the kids to Oregon and met up with 3 of my sisters. And then I was then asking myself how was I born into this? There's a quote that says "a sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost". And I have to say our week in Oregon presented plenty of opportunities of laughing like we were kids. And it's kind of funny because I talk about sisters and the good time we had and the friendship we share but it's was so fun to have the ring leader of us all, my mom. She kept us all laughing and of course as always lifted us up by letting us know every few seconds how great she thinks we are. I don't think there is a mother in the world who has enjoyed motherhood the way she has. And how grateful have I been in these years of young motherhood for her example of someone who has taken her most important role in life and turned it into the funnest experience possible. Thanks mom!

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 Above: The fish hatchery at the Bonneville Dam
Below: A day at the Oregon coast

 I'm not sure why she wore clothes and not her swimsuit. She knows she can't say no to her grandkids.

 Emilyne found out her new favorite food is sand and she was shoving it in by the handful.

           It was hard to say goodbye to my amazing sisters and mom but my cheeks still hurt from laughing.

 After we got back from our long trip we took our souvenir (Brielle) to the farmers market, Raccoon River park, Pences pond, drive in movie, Science Center, zoo, swimming at the Y and of course library hoping to collect on prizes from all the summer reading programs. It was a blast!

 We ended the exctiting visit from Brielle with a 4th of July celebration. Nelson of course did not like the booms of the fireworks and therefore kept his hands on his ears the entire night.

                                                         Even after he fell asleep.

It's sad to see these last few weeks end. They have been so much fun as we were reminded of the wonderful people the Lord has blessed us to have as a part of us for eternity. I love them all so much and am so thankful for their examples to me. I hope I can spend each day trying a little harder to be more like the wonderful members of our family. I love you all and thank you for one of the greatest summers of our lives.