North Carolina

 We went to North Carolina a few weeks ago in order to celebrate my brother's high school graduation. It was a great visit, though entirely too brief and so filled with family events that I didn't get to visit a single friend. That was a first for me, but I didn't mind too much, as it was so nice to have my entire family in one place again.

Myself, Des, Dillon, and Jordan

It was surreal to watch Dillon graduate. He is 13 years younger than myself, and I sometimes can't believe that he'll soon be 19 and that he's going to be in college in August.

We forced him to strike a pose

I haven't lived under the same roof as my brother since he was six years old. Sometimes the distance between us, in both years and geography, makes me really sad because I know he doesn't really remember how much we used to love each other. But I will never forget those years.  Dillon was the first baby that I loved. I was there when he was born, holding my mom's hand allowing my mother to grind my bones to powder as he made his entrance into the world.  I remember seeing my mother take him in her arms and cry "He's here! He's here. Oh, he's so beautiful!" and thinking that this is what I was meant to do with my life (be a mother, that is, not a one handed doula).

Meeting Uncle Dillon. Graydon loved having some male support around the place.

And as he grew, I was sure he was the cutest and smartest kid ever (and he was, until Addie and Graydon. Sorry, Dillon. Third place is nothing to be ashamed of, champ!). He used to sneak into my bed at night and cuddle up with me, and while I pretended to complain, I actually loved hearing the patter of his little feet on the hallway outside my door. He made us laugh all the time and allowed us to grow closer as a family during my teenage years, a time when most kids drift away from their families. He was the missing piece of the family puzzle, the person we didn't know we missed until he arrived. And you know what? He is still bridging the gaps in my family to this day.

 I'm very proud of Dillon. He hasn't had the easiest go of it through his teen years, but he's maintained a kind heart and good nature. It would have been easy for him to become bitter or cynical and instead he's smart, he's funny, and he's growing into a genuinely good man that is beloved by everyone he meets. I've already noted that he is a guy that builds bridges, so it's very fitting that he is planning to study engineering at N.C. State next year. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Celebrating with some friends

The sisters

The other big family event (if you can call a series of meetings an "event") was introducing Graydon to my family.

It was especially poignant to watch my grandfather and grandmothers meeting Graydon. They prayed so hard for him during his illness and my Mema in particular put Graydon on every prayer list in southern central NY. I haven't been able to blog about Graydon's time in the hospital, despite many attempts to do so, but she had every single denomination out there, from the Roman Catholic monks to the Protestant ladies at her office praying for Graydon.That means a lot to me, and it was nice to see them together.

Even if G isn't actually showing his gratitude here.

Pappy and his great grandson

Pappy and Erika and Graydon

It was really nice to get to see my parents with Graydon as well. My mom had only gotten to spend some brief time with the little man the day he was born and during his illness, so she was very eager to hold him and kiss him in his "thriving" mode. And my Dad had never met his little namesake at all. They got along really well, and Graydon really enjoyed his time with Heavy.

"Heavy D" and Gray Jay

Cici finally getting to hold that chunky monkey. Pretty sure he averaged about 15 kisses per hour

And here are some more meetings and photos....

A long overdue family photo

Aunt Desi and G

Uncle Mike and Pappy

Adam (Jordan's boyfriend) and Pappy

Addie found a dog crate and that's all she cared about playing in for the entirely of Dillon's graduation party. She managed to convince some other kids to join her. Here it's Gaston Thrift...

And here, her second cousin, Hannah. How much would Mumsie have loved to see these girls together?

The only other thing of note was our brief and ill starred beach trip. It rained for the entire two days we spent at Myrtle Beach, and we managed only one very brief and very chilly hour on the beach. It was fine though, we just caught up on our sleep. And the kids enjoyed their brief beach outing to the hilt. My dad was able to go with us and it was really nice to have some vacation time with Heavy D.


Graydon spent the entire time either attempting to eat sand or actually eating.

Hanging out with Mom.

Graydon in the "toad loader" as my dad insisted on calling the Bumbo

Oh hi, cuteness. Love that curly "Mohican" as my dad called his hairstyle. Pretty sure he meant Mohawk.

World's cutest UV shirt? I think so.

Graydon's only concern was getting into the sand. He was fascinated.

Love his sandy hands and toes and his chubby tummy. My dad: "Boy, I believe we're going to need to put an anchor on that shirt to hold down those rolls".

Blue Steel?!?!

 As for Miss Addie, can you say run? That was the entirety of her beach experience. Running through the tide inlets, running into the waves, running, running, running.

Stepping in

Splashing along

Love that expression

And this one, through her wild wind tangled hair

Cute little baby bum

Still running

Checking out the water

Still running...