Well i apologize for my lack of postings as of late, I have been doing a bit of traveling and as the due date draws closer we find ourselves ever so busy getting things together. The beginning of June I went home to NY to see my Mom, sister and grandmother. It was my grandmothers birthday so it was even more of an incentive to go. In true fashion my grandmother spent the day working and was only able to get away for an hour or so to catch-up. She is an incredible woman, she spent fifty years of her life working as a nurse in Scotia NY. She worked at the same hospital her mother worked at for over forty years. When she retired i thought it would be the best thing for her, finally being able to relax and enjoy life a little more. Well in true to the Brown name she still has yet to do so. God gave her a purpose in life and I truly believe that purpose was to help others, care for them and provide them a friendship. I'll never know how many folks she has seen pass on in her life but it always seems as if she is the last one to take on these folks before they take their trip. Maybe her purpose is that of someone who helps them reflect on life, remember the times of joy and help them achieve peace. I also realize that I am a product of her positive influence, and could not be more grateful.
The rest of my visit with my mother and sister was wonderful as always. Hannah is getting to be so big and she has developed such a personality. She continues to be a hard working student, and a very outgoing but yet humble young lady. I was able to catch her staring off into space one afternoon and I can see by the way she daydreams that she has some very lofty goals for life, I know she will achieve them too, she's just a good little lady with a big heart. My mother is also doing well, working hard and sacrificing her life for her children just as she always did. I do not mean that negatively at all, my mother is my hero and she is a hard worker and incredible provider. I owe my mother pretty much everything in my life without her guidance, discipline, laughter and I could go on all day I can't imagine where I would be. It was a great visit and as always I am happy to see my family, I know that Hannah is EXTREMELY excited about being an Aunt and my Mother is warming up to her new nick name of Grandma(maybe she is too young to be a grandma but she loves it anyway).
The following week I went to Florida to see my Grandparents and was put right to work. My grandfather who just turned Eigthy this past week has the an almost intolerable work ethic. At the age of Eighty he still buys and "flips" houses. Of course he must do most of the work himself(with some help from my grandmother) because anyone other than a "Brown" just can't do it right. That theme is common in my family, we seem to run with the old standby that "if you want something right you must do it yourself". Anyways, he was out in the Ninety-Five degree sun painting a house and course I wanted to help at least for my grandmothers sake who after many battles with cancer over her life the last thing she needs to be doing is holding a later while he paints. My grandparents are some incredible people, hard-working and dedicated. When I was young I used to go to Vermont and stay with my grandparents every couple of weekends, and some of the best memories I have are from those times. One thing iw ould always do in which I make sure happens whenever I visit now is to catch a Red Sox game with my grandfather. Two years ago I encouraged him to purchase the baseball package on TV so that he could watch every Red Sox game. Since than my grandmother had begun wearing ear plugs during the summer months and the neighbors have moved away. His hooting and hollering at the television can be heard as far as Fenway each night. I love sitting their shooting the breeze with him talking baseball. For those moments I am able to put all my beliefs about the Sox aside and listen to his many years of experience on the subject, its common ground its just enjoyable. Whenever he speaks it fascinates me, the life he has led and the things he accomplished are incredible. My grandmother continues to do well, making sure the family is well fed(family joke) and worrying about us as always. I always thought that my grandfather was the boss in the household but as I've gotten older I have realized who is running the show and she does a great job at it. It was a nice visit and I can't wait to bring baby Brown down to meet them.
The following weekend we had my Father and Debbie in town for a long weekend. They spent pretty much the whole day in Florida trying to get on a plane and finally made it later in the evening. It was so nice to have the help that I have been needing in moving around and putting together all the baby furniture. We were able to get everything put together and set up and it looks great. Considering that we will be moving in a few months we decided not to get a bigger place, so we made do with the room we had and it's just spectacular. As you can see from the pictures we were hard at work and I could be wrong but i do believe its the first time my father and I have "built" something together. It was kind of neat to do so. Kristine and Debbie folded and organized the seemingly endless pile of baby clothes. Which reminds me is there a right way to fold baby clothes? I mean they are so small does it matter which way they are folded? Anyways the rest of the weekend was filled with countless laughs(I never laugh as hard with anyone but my father) and endless preparation. It was so nice to have the help and spend time with them, i wish we could do it more often. I know its difficult for them both as they work very hard, hopefully when we move closer we will be able to get together more.
The month of June ended with a visit from my sister Morgan. She is spending the summer going cross country(BOI to FLL)by way of motor home with her grandparents. What was truly special about this was that Iwas able to spend some brother/sister time with her. We have not had much, if any of that over her thirteen years and I certainly was happy for it. We spent the day at where else, the mall. We rode the rides, played mini golf, had lunch and shopped. It was quite a busy day. I was able to get her to conquer her fear of roller-coasters. At first she was afraid but after a while she warmed up to the idea and ended up loving them, in fact we rode a few of them three or four times. It was a great day and hope that there are many more like it in the future.
So by now I believe you can see that June was a family month. It was very busy but nice to see all of my family. They are the best and I'm proud to have been raised by such an hard-working and fun group. I know our little guy will certainly enjoy them and will be showered with love throughout his life.
In the simple words of my grandfather "If you don't have family in your life, you don't have nothing"
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