Family...

Last weekend Adam's family, my Mom and Tom, Lexxy, Cynthia, Leah, Carter and Adrienne all converged on our home for Adam's 40th birthday party. It was the first time everyone had gotten together here in Atlanta since our wedding 11 years ago.

Brothers and Sisters, Mothers and Fathers, Nieces, Nephews and Grand Nieces and Grand Nephews all gathered for dinner Friday night at Maggianos where we ate family style and enjoyed good company. Saturday followed with the University of Tennessee game at 12:30 at our house followed by the cookout which started around 6pm. I spent most of the day in the kitchen and visting and now this weekend is bookmarked for relaxing in a quiet house with the dogs while Adam works.

My husband is the baby in his family, the youngest of five. He spent his childhood with his brothers and sister spending weekends camping and fishing and just spending quality time together. I am an only child and see what a gift he was given having been born into a large family. From day #1 they made me feel at home and welcome into their homes. The sweetest people you will ever meet have the last name of Roberts and are from Memphis, TN, originally. Now the family is spread around  the South/East and Mid West. A brother and his family in St Louis, Sister and her family in Nashville, and in Memphis, his other brother and his family, his parents and countless other relatives.

The weekend was bittersweet however as it marked the 2 years anniversary of the death of Adam's brother Richie from cancer. His oldest son, his wife and kids came to Atlanta to share in Adam's day. We had great fun together watching the game and watching and listening to his kids. Such a sweet little family. Richie and Adam were very close and it was over a year and a half since Richie's death that Adam could bring himself to go home to Memphis. We spent so much of our time there over Richie's house just hanging out and eating dinner with him and his wife Esther and the boys as they were growing up. I guess at some point you have to face your demons and gather your strength to go where you can't bring yourself to go for the sake of others.

We are truly blessed to be part of such a good family. Next year for my 40th we are going away ;)