Big Brother

Nephew Brent, Sis-in-law Pauline, Don, Havana, niece Kaley, Amara, Mark, Anjahni

When I was a kid, the sun rose and set on my big brother Mark. He was my idol. I loved him to the moon and back and wanted to be and do anything he did. Sometimes that got me into some very big trouble! I was very thankful that my family got to spend time with their Uncle Mark and his family while we were in Tampa. We had a really great visit with them. While there, Kaley and Brent babysat the girls while the grownups went out for dinner. And my girls loved being with Kaley so much that they kept asking, "When are you going out?" Ha! SO different, than when we are home and leave them with sitters who are not family. The girls just know that their family is family and immediately warm up to them. Our time with Mark, Pauline and their kids was really special.

Mark, chilling (for a change!) at the barn.

Pauline, who I call a saint for putting up with my brother for the past twenty-eight years!

Sanibel Island

A detour to Sanibel Island on the way to Miami may have been the most fun for us this trip. Sanibel (and Captiva) Islands are home to some of the best shelling in the world.  We had a blast here!

Amara is currently all into Tinkerbell's sister Periwinkle so she was tickled to see this street sign.

View on the way to the beach.

Amara could barley stand still! We ran and up down the powder soft beach looking for shells.

Havana has never been too keen on the water. This was her reaction to my taking her to the waters edge!

Good find!

Havana is content playing in the sand. Actually, sand play is one of her favorite things to do.

The only thing I didn't like about Sanibel Island is that we had to leave. I think these Islands may be a vacation destination for us. We could easily spend a week on these tropical, isolated, beautiful and peaceful islands I felt like I was in the Keys or on an island off Belize somewhere. I look forward to our family returning and getting to know the islands better.

Kimberly (Mi Hermana)

When I was about fourteen years old, I found my adoption papers. Mind you, I always knew I was adopted. Just didn't know the details. My mom had put aside the paperwork for the day (when and if) I wanted it. By the time I reached fourteen, I had been thinking about my birth mother for many years. I never thought about the possibility that I might have other siblings. I can still recall that day, standing in my mom's room with those papers in my hand; "...two siblings... A brother named Robert Fernandez and a sister named Kimberly Fernandez by Susan's marriage to Onario Fernandez before he was killed in a car accident on the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys" and thinking "A brother and sister? I have to find them." 

Fast forward several, and sparing the many details, my sister and I were reunited in 1992. She was the first family I talked to when I first made contact with my bio family. And since that phone call twenty-two years ago, my sister and I have grown to be very close. We may have missed the first twenty-two years of my life we have made up for more than that the last twenty-two. Kim's presence is an important part of my life and the life of my children. I didn't have a sister growing up and finding my bio family meant a whole heap of sisters (5 on my bio dads side, I later discovered.) But my relationship with my big sister Kimberly is especially sweet and special. I am most thankful that it was meant to be that we landed in each other's lives after so many years apart.

With our big brother Bobby.

Susan, our mother.

                                  

Cousin Carlos (the horse)

Yes, we have a horse cousin. His name is Carlos. Technically he is my niece Kaley's horse and the girls have longed to meet him for some time now. (and they were pretty excited about seeing Kaley and his brother Brent too!) So during our brief time with my brother Mark & family in Tampa, we all (sans Brent who was still home sleeping!) spent a morning grooming, petting, and riding Carlos. This was the girls first time on a horse. They were so brave! (well, they would only get on if their big cousin was with them!) For me, who once showed many years ago, it was the first time in many years to get back on a horse. I am now motivated to take lessons again and Amara said she would like to join me. Many thanks to Carlos & Kaley!

(and on another side note, Carlos & Kaley won First in her division in the national championship in Oklahoma recently. Way to go!!)

Mama cleaning Carlos' shoe.

Nana (who was visiting Mark for T. Day) joined us at the barn.

Amara took the first ride.

Havana's turn.

Mama's turn.

Aunt Fran

Our trip to the Southern part of the United States is about family. Don and I set our intentions on connecting with those who we love and hold special places in our heart. On our first evening in Florida we got to see one of those people, Don's Aunt Fran.

Aunt Fran is the youngest sister of Aunt Merce and Don's mother Jo. Because she lives in Florida (a place she has called home for many, many decades) we don't get to see her that often. But when we do it's always such a pleasure. Aunt Fran is upbeat, strong, has a lot of energy (she is in amazing health), is down to earth, always has realistic grounded things to say about parenting and she has a way to validate our crazy life with little kids without trying to change things. I always leave her presence in a good mood.

Aunt Fran's son Scott,  his wife Freida and their sons Matt and Chris joined us for supper. Don had not seen his cousin in many years. It was a sweet reunion.

Amara was a little shy at first (well, alot, but it was a very long day and very little nap) but after awhile (once she learned Matt and Chris were her cousins), she and Havana somehow talked them into playing tag in Aunt Fran's condo! Tag and horse! They ended up having a blast with their two cousins.

On a side note, it was through Aunt Fran's daughter, Maria (who I was in grad school with), that I met Don. So I personally, have a lot to thank that side of the family for!

We were only able to spend a few hours together but it was quality time. Dinner was relaxed (Don and I ate slowly for a change while the girls played in the other room) and easy going, just like it is supposed to be with people you feel comfortable with, people whom your heart has a special spot for.

Don, Aunt Fran & Scott.

View from the condo.