Thankful for Jamie

It is always interesting to me to hear women, young and old, talk about how difficult it is to have a close relationship with their daughter-in-law and/or mother-in-law.  It is very difficult for me to relate to their feelings when I feel very blessed to have two incredible daughters-in-law.  I feel very close to both Mindy and Jamie.  But right now I want to focus on Jamie.  I always look forward to their visit and the quiet times when we can sit and talk about anything that pops into our minds.  We’ve shared everything from intimate feelings to silly nonsensical jibber. 

While Jamie was here we spent a day shopping together.  We wandered in and through a few stores and had a wonderful time talking, laughing, exchanging ideas and even buying some items. 

She also spent many hours setting up and trying to teach me (I’m not a savvy computer operator) how to blog.  I so appreciate her time, patience and effort.  She was still helping me get the hang of it late Sunday night.  They left for home the next morning and she made the comment that she would create a heading for my blog.  I figured with her arriving home and trying to get her life back to normal that it would probably be a few days before she would have the time to fuss with it.  I should have known better!  I got on my blog today and there was the heading all created and I loved it.  She is amazing!  Thank you Jamie for taking the time to do that for me.  I love you!

Wow, Jamie!  Aren’t you proud of me?  I did this all by myself - YAHOO

Family Reunion Last Day

We all gathered at Jeff and Lynda Ann's home for the final day of our 2010 Maxfield Reunion. It was a day of playing on the huge water slide, taking pictures, eating, playing basket ball and visiting. I don't think there was one moment that someone wasn't on the slide, including the adults. Of course we had some competition with the boys seeing who could out do and perform the wildest flip!

Lyndsy was in charge of the dinner and it was absolutely delicious. She fixed pulled pork with all the trimmings. One would have thought they were at Cafe Rjo!
As the evening wore down and family members began saying their 'goodbyes', there were many tears knowing that it would be another year or two before we would all be together again. Derek will be flying back to China, Justin and CJ back to Washington and Tucker and Jamie back to California.

As I watched our children and grandchildren participate this whole week I'm amazed at the love that exists between them. It isn't easy being a combined family. Neal and I chose each other but the seven children didn't have that option, they were just brought together. But the love and friendship that exists between them and has continued to develop over the past 20 years is genuine. The grandchildren are the new generation of family with no 'combined' history.

Maren did an incredible job of planning activities for each day, planning all the food and coordinating a fun and memory filled week. THANK YOU MAREN! And thanks to all our children and grandchildren who participated in this wonderful event. A total of 31 family! It will be Lyndsy and James turn to plan our next family reunion which will be in 2012.

Family reunion - Friday

Friday, July 23rd the family gathered at Maren and Greg's home in the early afternoon. Greg grilled cheese burgers and hot dogs, while Maren prepared frog eye salad, her famous pasta salad and a variety of fruits and vegetables. After dinner Neal and I handed out 2010 reunion shirts. They will be pictured here in time. Jamie designed the shirts and told us what the symbol on the shirt represented. Lots of family pictures were taken and I can't wait to display them (when I learn how!)

 
After the picture taking event the evening was filled with laughing, talking, watching past years gatherings and reunions and playing games. This staycation has been a wonderful success and one that will be long remembered.

Derek flew in late last night. Lyndsy and James picked him up from the airport and will bring him out to Lynda Ann and Jeff's today. This is our final reunion day. We have rented a huge water slide and will spend the day watching the kids, young and old, go down the slide over and over.