Family Reunions Part 2

Sean and I drove to Oklahoma on Saturday to see his step-sis. (I love seeing them!) We left later than we had planned to and then this happened:

THAT is the photo of a blowout on HWY 44 at mile marker 24, lol. We had passed someone and were moving back into the right lane when we kinda heard a little pop and the van felt slightly funny. Even he wondered what it was, but by the time that we got to the side of the road we knew something was wrong. Thank goodness we had a donut AND he was with me when it happened. Yes, I am one of those women that can not change a tire.

We finally got there around 1 to a great surprise. Sean's step-mom, that he hasn't seen since he was 9, and 2 brothers (that he's never met before) were there. I have always wanted to meet Rosie and he has ALWAYS wondered about his brothers and wanted to meet them. As soon as he could he got them in the car with him and they went to Wal-Mart to get a tire. He was on cloud 9.

Willie is on the left and Roy is on the right. This shot is funny because we had put them in front of a bush - one of them spied the neighbor's dirty truck and said they should stand in front of it. We all laughed...then someone noticed the duck on the antennae and all was lost. See the duck above Roy's head?? They are definately brothers, lol.

*Sigh* There is so much wrong with this :). But this one is worse:

This is a shot of everyone. From left to right: Rosie, Willie, Sean, Roy, Erica and Baby E.

Oh, and if you've ever wondered about the pockets on pants like Willie is wearing: They can carry a 2 liter bottle of coke, no problem. I think he could have put Baby E in there, lol. We had SUCH a good laugh over the soda. What I wish I had gotten a photo of was his coat. He had a trench coat that kicked totally a$$.

And last, but NEVER least, I don't know if any of you remember, but Sean lost his half-sister in March of this year. Her name was Gloria, and while I still will not talk about the details of that day, I wanted to share something special with you. Rosie is her mother and brought this with her:

Gloria was cremated and this is one of the few 'urns' that hold her. Sean is the one holding the heart in the photo. I choked back a tear as I took this - but HAD to take the shot. You are missed Gloria, even by those who never got to meet you.

Celebrating June-ion

This has been a roller-coaster month. Remember when I wrote about Sean's step-sister getting in touch with me on MySpace? Well, there have been two more surprise reunions this month..in just the last week.

The other day (when Ike stuck the seashell in his ear) Sean called me with news of his own. He was at work when a guy walked in saying that he was looking for Sean. He looked up and noticed a tattoo on the guy's arm...then looked up to see his (step)Dad - that he hasn't seen for over 14-ish years. His name is Jim and he's the ONE man in Sean's life that I have wanted to meet and thank profusely. There may be a step in front of his title...but its not really there, if you know what I mean. He was the only real dad that Sean had - taught him how to work hard and provide for his family, but he also taught him that work isn't more important than family. He took Sean fishing and camping - and the fact that he would go out of his way to see Sean again just proves he loved him. He is also the man responsible for teaching Sean manners.
Everything 'wonderful' about Sean came from this man.
The kids and I got to meet him last night - and he is EVERYTHING that I built him up to be in my head over the last 10 years...and more. We went out to eat. I had to keep myself from crying tears of joy all night as they sat next to each other telling stories...most of them I've heard already from Sean...but watching them tell the stories together, laugh together...dream come true, people. I even found out where Isaac gets his hyper-ness from, lol.
When the night was over and he was getting ready to leave...he told us he loved us...gave the kids a hug and told them he loved them..*gush*. The most wonderful part: He'll be moving here in 2 years when he retires. I am SO looking forward to that. Sean needs this man back in his life...and my kids do too.

Then...I had an e-mail from my BEST friend in High School, Angel. I haven't talked to her in a LONG time - and she had found me on MySpace. I've never been a fan of you, the teenaged waste-land called MySpace...but you have won me over. Now I'm just waiting for an e-mail back from her.

June has been crazy, bring bad news with it...but Oh, the good news that has come from it...its now my favorite month of this year :).

OH...and my mom will be here next Sunday..for good. She got an apartment and will be joining this great state. Yay!