The Unforgettable Trip of My Life

SUMMER BREAK!

This phrase can bring ecstasy and horror all at once depending on the individual. As a family of five, going on any sort of vacation can be tricky equation and includes several choice four letter words at any given time.

 For us, the usual no brainer is to make a trek to the grandparents house for an easy and affordable get away.

...Especially when your husband is going to be gone for a week in Nashville for a barbershop conference!

Ain't nobody got time for that single parent thing.... (props to military families or those with a spouse who is required to travel for work)

This trip of exploring parts of Connecticut while staying at the grandparents B&B was in the books for quite awhile.

Then throw in the whole mind blowing discovery of my unknown family....life couldn't be any better!

*Cue mind blowing bomb #2*

One morning before church, I was informed that it was of the utmost importance for me to come to the 2nd annual Sisterpalooza in Utah. Because not only would I get to meet a handful of sisters....my DAD would also be making an appearance. And if I could find childcare for my older two, my siblings wanted to chip in for a plane ticket.

Flabbergasted by their kindness and generosity, God opened the doors and a VERY kind friend agreed to help with childcare while Matt was at work.

So after a long retreat in Connecticut, I had a little over a day to recover and pack for another trip and take Alden along with me for the free lap space on the plane.

During my time in Utah, I was hosted by my sister Cy and her hubby Keith. Two other sisters came with kids of theirs and also enjoyed the wonderful hospitality provided. My brother Jed even pulled away from his busy life as a dentist and father of 5 to meet and visit. Sister peer pressure does work from time to time ;)

Highlights
The Natur Store
Fast food taco shops (ain't gonna find them in Rome)
Olympic Park Center- Ski jump tubing
SLC Farmers Market
Temple Square sightseeing
Staying up late and bonding
Comparing all sorts of different body parts of each other

.....And the most special part of all, spending time with my dad and meeting my only living grandmother Delpha. Alden is the only family member I know who has been able to meet a 'great'.

The overall experience and observation was to be able to just fit in with these family members and not feel like you had to be someone else to fit in. It was almost effortlessly, despite many of us growing up in different backgrounds and spiritual journeys.

I was told by many of the natural siblings that I reminded them so very much of our brother Zach who passed back in 2010 unexpectedly. Even looking through a memory book of his pictures growing up and comparing them to mine....Zach was really my twin. I feel honored to be given many likenesses and personality of him and wished I could have met him in person.

For those of us who are the donor siblings of the family....it is almost like we were blessed to skip the crudy growing up years of fighting and competing for attention and go right to the adult relationships.

This trip is only the beginning, and I can't help myself but smile all the time when these special people come to mind. My Heart has grown by numerous sisters, brother/inlaw, grandma, dad, nieces & nephews...and even a few fur babies.

I guess Matt did get his wish of marrying into a big family......God really does have a sense of humor!