This is Nathan, my nephew. I been helping to raise and home educate him since he was 6 months old. This year at 14, he entered public school for the first time. He is my challenge. He pushes every boundary he can find. He refuses to believe in gravity or his own mortality. There will probably be lots of post about my near heart attacks in reguards to Nathan.
This is Athena. She is my neice, but I have had her at least part time since she was 2 yrs old. She is a senior this year and already has senioritis pretty bad. I am not sure she is totally ready to go away, but I also think she is the kind of person who is never 'ready' for something until they just do it. She has auditioned and applied to some pretty good schools. She is the one most like me....She was even complaining the other day that her handwriting was just like mine.
This is Kayleigh, she will probably be the subject of many of my posts. We are going through a huge change in our relationship right now. It is hard for me and I feel like I am in uncharted waters. A lot of my thoughts lately revolve around how to help without enabling. She has been independent all her life, but now suddenly after moving to NYC she seems to have lost her edge, or her go-get-'em spirit. I want her to feel supported, but not so comfortable that she losses her hunger to succeed.
Well, I am need to get off now. Tomorrow I will introduce Dirk and my mom. It is hard for me to define myself separate from them anymore. I am not sure I really wnat to, but it would be nice to have part of my life that is connected to something else, too.
So, it is not very theological to blow bubbles on Epiphany. However, I do think Epiphany is about JOY and what is more joyful than children playing. So, everyone gets bubbles and toys in a goody bag from the wisemen. Wise men know it is important to discover and play!
This is Dirk, my friend for over 25 years, my husband for over 22 years. He looks pretty awful right now since he has been very sick with multiple issues since early August and actually on medical leave from work since October. This was his favorite Christmas present. We really are like two sides of the same coin. Of one mind in all the things that matter and complimentary on all other things. I can saw without hesitation he completes me.
My step-father, who is now an over the road truck driver and only home 1-2 days a month for a few hours. He is happy, and that makes all of us happier. He has had a hard time adjusting to life outside the military.
My mom, who probably isn't to happy I used this picture, but it is the best recent one I have of her. She is smiling, has her hair and good color. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, but living together and working together as adults has been very healing and very positive.
My sister, Athena and Nathan's mom affects me a lot more than I often realize. When I stop and try and figure out why I am doing something that seems odd or enabling, I can usually trace it back to when I was a kid responsible for my little sister. I will also give into her, and her whims when I know it is not the best idea in the world just to help keep peace and family harmony. I love her more like a wayward daughter than a sister and that tends to cause some tension.
