It’s a Family Affair

Song Lyric of the Day:

I got my head done / When I was young / It’s not my problem / It’s not my problem

Blur / “Song 2”

11:22AM.
As I mentioned a couple of entries ago, this past weekend was very family-intensive. Actually, the whole week was pretty much family-intensive–I’d had lunch with Mom, dinner at Mom and Dad’s, and lunch with Jonathan and Curry by the time Friday rolled around. (And, yes, Samantha, I know I eat out too much. Blah).

The big event this weekend was a visit from Rich’s grandparents, who live in Arizona most of the year. Friday night we all met up at Kirsten’s house, talked for a while, and then went to IHOP for dinner. It was a big group–Rich’s parents, grandparents, sister, brother-in-law, and the two of us. We had a fun evening together, after which Rich and I went home to continue our house cleaning binge. We couldn’t face the thought of our house being messy the first time Grandma and Grandpa Edwards saw it.

My sister, Vanessa, and her fiancé, Ken, were also in town for the holiday weekend. They drove, along with Mom, to my house Saturday morning so I accompany them for a meeting with the Knoxville Convention Center event planner. I’d already met the planner and toured the facility since I’m Vanessa’s bride-by-proxy, but she and Ken understandably wanted to see their possible wedding venue in person. I ended up taking a lot of photos of the World’s Fair Park while Vanessa, Ken, and Mom were given the outside tour; the lure of the park in the fall was too much for me to resist. The convention center is adjacent to the park which allows for some pretty amazing, unique wedding photos. I’ll be posting more pics soon, but you can see a sample of my photography handiwork here. After the tour, we came back to my house where the family said hi to Rich and our kids. Caleb was especially thrilled to see his auntie and uncle.

Once we’d said our goodbyes, Rich and I continued cleaning the house. Honestly, we’re not that messy (most of the time), but with all the home improvement projects we have been undertaking, things got a bit out of control. I’ll go ahead and shoulder most of the blame, since I’d been working on painting the half bathroom and have a tendency to leave tools all over the place. Not a good habit to have. The flooding in our laundry room has also contributed to the mess in our guest bathroom.

Late Saturday afternoon, Rich and I drove to his parents’ house for our early-Thanksgiving dinner date. Momma Carol had arranged the table so beautifully it was almost a shame to sit down and eat at it. I say almost because I am a complete wh0re for turkey and I was ready for my dinner. If I could make a turkey every couple of weeks or so, I’d be a happy camper. A big, fat, happy camper. Pappa Doug said a lovely blessing and then the eight of us chowed down. I have to say, that urban legend about turkey making people sleepy is just that. I’ve never, ever experienced it, and I put away a lot of turkey every Thanksgiving, more than everyone else in our families. More than some family members combined, even.

After dinner, Kirsten helped Momma Carol with cleanup; Chris retired to the couch; and Rich, Pappa Doug, and the grandparents settled down to play a game. At Grandma and Grandpa Edwards’ request, I parked myself at the dining room table to work on a puzzle they’d started earlier that day; they’d been informed of my penchant for puzzles and wanted to put me to good use. Chris and Kirsten left not too long after dinner had ended, but Rich and I stayed until about 11PM. We had fun talking, working on puzzles, and playing games all evening. At Momma Carol’s request, I was also the designated photographer. I’ll post some of the pics later on–I still haven’t downloaded them onto the computer.

Sunday afternoon was reserved for Rich’s parents and grandparents. I made a marble pistachio cake for dessert, and the house was spotless for Grandma and Grandpa Edwards’ first visit. Rich and I had been worried that Caleb would be overzealous and possibly hurt one of them, but I am proud to report that he noticed they are elderly and was very careful with them. Momma Carol brought leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner, so between that food and the cake I made, we were all stuffed. Rich introduced his dad and grandpa to Mancala while I played Rummikub with Momma Carol and Grandma Edwards. Rich and his dad then ended up working on a leak under our kitchen sink (sorry again about putting you to work, Pappa Doug) while I took on the Jedi masters of Rummikub. I won one game, which was no small feat going up against Grandma and Grandpa Edwards, let me tell you. After saying our goodbyes, Rich and I decided to couch potato it the rest of the evening since we were exhausted.

I’m really happy I got to see Grandma and Grandpa Edwards; I hadn’t seen them in three, maybe four, years. Spending time with them was a little bittersweet for me, though. I loved my time with them, but was reminded of how my sisters and I did not get to spend nearly enough time with our own grandparents. I hope Rich and Kirsten know how fortunate they are to have so many memories to draw on.

My sisters were also pretty young when our maternal grandmother died, so they can not quite remember the time they had with her like I can. I, for one, plan on tagging along with Mom and Dad when they go to visit my Abuela Maria in Florida in a few weeks; I don’t want to miss out on any more time with her. Besides, it’s not like I’ll be missing work or anything. And even though I didn’t get to know either of my grandfathers, they are with me every day. My Abuelo Santiago is with me in the St. Christopher medal he gave me as a child, which I wear around my neck. And my Abuelo Anselmo helped Rich and I buy the Xterra, which is why it’s named Mo in his honor. So I know they’re both still here with me.

3:39PM.
I have my iPod Shuffle on and I’m having fun singing along with “Why Do You Love Me” by Garbage as I’m painting the walls in our office upstairs.

I hear Caleb let out a little half-howl from the couch downstairs.

“Come on, Caleb, Mommy’s singing isn’t that bad, is it?”

He whimpered in reply.