Is it over yet?

So who is sick of hearing about the impending election and the candidates? I don't care which side you are on left or right this is getting cumbersome. It's everywhere.... News, television, radio. *sigh*

Then we have nothing to fill in those spaces on television with the writers strike... There is no escape!! Unless we go to a stranded island... Anyone care to join me? I'll bring the umbrellas for the fruity drinks.

Reunited

This post has taken me forever to get to, but I have been trying to figure out what I should write...

Back in November, yes 3 months ago, I reunited with my family after a long family quarrel.

Rewind to Summer 2007...

Here's a little history... My sister and I had our babies 13 days apart. My mom or my sister never knew I was pregnant until I sent out birth announcements. Before I get flamed for anything, please note there were several underlying reasons in which I didn't share my news with my family. It was a medical choice and I stuck with it for my health.

After I sent out birth announcements from the birth of Alli (in April) I got a call a few weeks later from my sister. I was getting ready to take a nap and hung up the phone with my hubby. I told him I had a very bad headache and the girls were sleeping so I was going to sleep off my headache. About 3 seconds after I hang up the phone it rings, again! *sigh* I answer... WHAT?! Thinking it will be T again, but it was a vaguely familiar voice say, Melissa? It's your sister. I fly out of bed and shout my sisters name. I have spoke with my sister for nearly 5 years so hearing her voice brought me instantly to tears. I couldn't believe it. I have dreamed of the moment I would talk to her again. It was surreal. My sister and I spoke for 2.5 hours and it seemed like 5 minutes. We talked about everything. We had forgiven each other for "whatever" we had our family spat about and we put everything behind us and started over. It was such a wonderful feeling. I told my sister I was going to focus on us and handle the situation with our mom at a later date.

Fast forward a few weeks later... I receive a package in the mail. I am doing some gardening after I get out of work during the summer and I notice a package on my porch. I look at it and it is from my mom. I hesitantly opened it because I didn't want there to be any nasty letters to read. Instead it was a symbolic peace offering. There were some gifts to both of my girls congratulating our family with our newest addition. It was the sign I needed to call her. I had been putting it off because I just did not want to make that call. I mustered it up and called. We had a wonderful conversation. I explained everything to her including my reasoning as to why I never said anything to her about our pregnancy. She completely understood and I was relieved. I apologized and asked if we could start over and keep the past in the past. She obliged...

So began our new and improved relationships.

Fast-Fast forward to November...

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my house the week before Thanksgiving was observed as a holiday. My family caravaned from Wisconsin to Ohio. I worked 1/2 a day; I didn't think they'd get to Cleveland so soon, but when I came home everyone was here. When I came home my house was bursting at the seams. Before I pulled into my driveway I had butterflies. I was nervous. I was excited. I was scared. I couldn't believe all of this was happening and it truly was a reality. When I walked through the doors I had my family in my living room. My mom and her husband were here... and my sister and my brother-in-law, whom I have never met and their 2 kids were in my house! I love entertaining and the warmth of family just took over me. We cried and laughed and thoroughly enjoyed one another.

For Thanksgiving dinner we fried a turkey, I made mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, my grandmothers Armenian rice pilaf, my grandmothers apple pie, green bean casserole, cheesecake, rolls, cranberry relish, and cornbread sausage stuffing. I had a HUGE spread! The best part was it all came out at the same time and it was piping hot! Everyone loved the food so it was a great compliment.

My family was here for really 2.5 days so it wasn't long, it was a quick trip. I wish I had more time to visit than being stuck in the kitchen doing a zillion dishes. The good thing was I had Z-E-R-O leftovers! That is the best compliment when you are a cook. There's nothing left!

After my family left I felt such relief that I have them back, plus a brother-in-law and a new nephew. There's more to love! I can't wait to see them again. I am so happy to have made amends and we can all finally be a family. I am very thankful.

Below is a slideshow of some pictures of their visit here... I was unable to take any pictures so I can not assume any credit....

2008!

Finally, a New Year!! I am looking forward to 2008 being a year filled with good health.

We rang out 2007 with my oldest daughter Em being very sick. It was very scary having her in the hospital. But she is all better and back to herself, thankfully!

I have made amends with my mom and my sister. It was a huge step, but I am so happy to have my family back.

I hope to post more regularly.

Thank you for your continued readership ,comments and personal e-mails. I greatly appreciate it.