Family Reunion

We headed south to the family reunion. We arrived late but rejoiced in the ease and speed of freeway travel. The next morning service was the first part of the gathering. The under 12 crew packed bags of food for meals on wheel people. They lined up in groups by age. 

Merle's peers. Myla, Klaym JAmes, with Rhett peeking from behind

Andrea's cute 4 year old friends- Marilla, Sadie, Miriam

Alia's group- Evander, Wyatt, Ephriam, Lia, and Vivian with Afton looking on from behind. 

Bruce would have been here but Greg took him to work with the older kids moving uncle Eric. Megan, Aayliah, Eloise, Alyda, Sam, Claire, Saige, Afton 

Kids filling bags with non perishable food. They filled over 40 bags. Thank you Modernwoodmen service funds for providing money to do good with. 

Cousin James always wanted a fire truck so he bought one and brought it for the kids to look at. Why not. 

My two big kids. How I love having my kids together. 

And how they love still teasing each other. Not many just move Aliza around. John can do anything his heart desires. Love these two confident, calm, and funny young adults. 

The afternoon had water slides and bounce houses. 

And laser tag. Again modern woodmen money. Do some service get some rewards. The kids and adults loved the laser tag. They have a grove of trees that made a great battlefield. 

A cousin braided hair and styled it like rapunzel. Lovely flowers and ladies. This is Afton. 

Family photos are dreaded but honestly so nice to have. The photographer has come the last few years she does great work. I only wish more of my family was included. Im working to reconcile my heart to these great group photos though not whole group they are who was there. Love these people so much. This is my life work and calling. 

The families. There's a lot of forgiveness and choosing to stay that happens in a family this large and this diverse. That's important to point out. It doesn't just happen. It isn't all sunshine and roses. It is perfect meaning complete because we choose to let go of hurts, annoyances, hardship (travel cost of gas etc.), rather be doing something else with that Saturday (go to Reeds football game, work other stuff), and gather. To give a day or three to being together. That's a choice and one I'm thankful is important enough to choose to gather. 

The kids loving the truck. Such a fun different thing. This is a majority of the grandkids. Three missionaries, my two married, Addie Reed, and Kristi's son Troy and family are all that's missing. Pretty impressive. 

The siblings. So impressive they choose to gather. Praying their examples will eventually lead my children to also all gather. 

Pleased parents. To know your children walk in goodness and independence is there anything better? Just to be together for a short time. It was truly good. 

After a lovely tri-tip and dutch oven potato dinner we ended the evening retiring some flags and shooting off fireworks. I was done. All day my energy slowly drained until nighttime I knew something was wrong. 

A rough night of sleep/resting and in the morning I felt terrible. The family went to church and then we went home. We stopped at an urgent care and I tested positive for strep. We waited even longer for meds- being a holiday weekend few pharmacies were open. I'm thankful we went, the kids have some good memories stored up and it is powerful to gather and share some time and space. I'm thankful for these people in our life. We are blessed.