The Walters: christmas on tulsa time

first things first :: so, i was having an 'i'm exhausted. i'm sick of being sick. my boys are sick of being sick. i think i'm failing as a mom. no, wait, i think i have already done and failed them. thus their lack of social skills. whoa is me.' kind of day a few days back. and i blogged about it. i had people respond that i didn't even know read my little blog. and each and every one of them brought tears to my eyes. and were appreciated more than you know. so, if you are reading this :: thank you from the bottom of my heart. the comments and emails were read and re-read.

second of all :: we just drove over 3,000 miles. used a little over 200 gallons of gasoline. and were away from home for 16 days. we spent a total of two nights in a hotel {two rooms}. we spent 10 nights in tulsa. three nights in mckinney {sorry momma, you got the short end of the stick}. spent hours upon hours of good/quality family time. saw some near and dear friends. ate some yummy food. and realized for the first time, i am indeed home sick :: i.miss.texas. but, ohio is home right now. and boy oh boy, am i glad to be in MY home right about now!

since i have 16 days to recap :: i will do it over several posts. starting with our time at aunt jan and uncle paul's. but, before i dive in :: i want to share a bit about these people. in case you don't know. some history, if you will.

aunt jan and uncle paul aren't just 'any' aunt and uncle to me. they are my third set of parents. as they literally 'took me in' when i was 15 years old. it was the summer of '95. i was visiting tulsa, as i normally did every summer. but this time was different. i was at a bit of a crossroad. living in california. staying with my mom over the summer in kansas. and spending the last few weeks of summer in tulsa. it was at their church's summer camp where the Lord spoke to me :: loud and clear. i had asked aunt jan and uncle paul if i could live with them. which consisted of four people. a dog and cat. in a teeny tiny house. 3 bedroom. one bathroom, to be exact. needless to say, it took a bit of convincing with both my mom and dad. but after many of conversations. and i'm sure plenty of tears shed. it was a done deal.

and just like that. i was one of them. never once did i feel 'out of place.' or that i was intruding {when clearly, i was}. they loved me. and i loved them. it was the first time since i was a little girl that i felt part of a 'real' family. in other words :: one that wasn't broken. there were sacrifices made. there was money spent on me, that frankly probably wasn't there to spend. there were bedrooms shared. there were five people trying to get ready in the mornings with one bathroom. and not ever enough hot water. there were traditions. there was laughter and there were tears. but most of all. there was love.

i never once took them for granted. in fact, for the first time in many years, i respected my 'parents.' i had grown up enough to know and realize :: this was a gift. they did not have to take me in. and so, i obeyed. i did everything in my power to never upset them. and i strived to make them proud. my biggest fear was that they would regret their decision.

it wasn't until i had kids of my own that i REALLY realized what a sacrifice they made by taking me in. you see, we all know how challenging it is to raise kids. but, to adopt a broken, fragile, lost fifteen year old is a BIG BIG task. not to mention, i actually 'get' the concept of money now. and how much it really costs to raise kids. and for this, i am even more thankful for them. i love them like my 'real' parents. and i love my cousins like a brother and sister. i often wonder, but have never actually asked, why they decided to take me in. and i often pray that my heart would be so open. willing. soft. giving. as the maxeiners. i pray that if i am ever presented with this 'opportunity' that i too, would open my arms. my heart. my home for someone in need. someone in need of a sense of normalcy. of family. of love and laughter. these people are a rare breed. and i was so lucky to get to be part of their immediate family. and so, going home to spend time with my aunt. uncle. cousins. and now their extended families. aren't just any aunt. uncle. and cousins. these people are my heart. i owe them more than i can ever repay them for. for opening up their hearts. their home. their family. to little ol' me. for never making me feel like a burden. unwelcome. like a 'step' child/sibling. never judging. analyzing. or questioning me. for just loving me. and making me feel part of your family. i'm forever indebted to y'all.

and that's the story.
our history.
and here is our week in pictures.
we FINALLY met the newest member of the clan.
pretty miss elleanor.
i was in baby heaven!

caraline shared her crayons.
and some kisses.

and the boys played some football with zac.

we spent all day on christmas over at aunt jan's.
we had the most delicious brunch.
followed by some rest.
and then the kitchen called our name again.
we had another fabulous meal.
followed by the mayhem all the kiddos were waiting for.
the oodles and oodles of presents.
aunt jan and uncle paul ALWAYS overdue it.
i have learned to save my breath.
as no matter how many times i beg and plead.
they always go overboard.
the kids get SPOILED!