Most people do a double take when they ask, "How is your brother doing now? Where does he live...?"
"Ummm...Aberdeen...South Dakota"
You'd think I'd have said "the South Pole" or "Timbuktu" from the reaction I get! It's usually a look of shock and horror...
"What on earth is he doing there?" (As if Bakersfield is some sort of glamorous paradise!?)
But what people don't know about are the giant colorful tree lined streets, the immaculate 100 year old Victorian homes, the churches that speckle every corner, and the parks that are so lush you want to spend the night (well, without the mosquitoes maybe...). It's really beautiful. You can get anywhere you want in less than 5 minutes because the town is so small, but they have a Target, a Super Wal-Mart, and now, even a Starbucks!! Grammi was thrilled with that news!
Anne and Rod's house is just amazing... a 3 story completely gutted and remodeled Victorian/craftsman style home with a basement and a detached garage with a loft. The thing is huge!! I actually had the whole third floor to myself..well, with Shelbi of course... and it's decorated with Anne's impeccable shabby-sheik style; finds that make me salivate with envy...gorgeous antiques from this thrifty little store where she buys them for next to nothing. But it looks like the place is worth a million bucks. Really, she could totally quit her day job and go into interior design...it's that good... must be a gift or something... Fabulous house...
On Sunday we went to church where Rodney now is on staff. Hearing my brother called "Pastor Rod" was unusual but not surprising. He loves youth ministry...lives for it. And those kids love him too. On Sunday night he had his highschoolers over for youth group and the place was taken over by teenagers! They played football in the front yard, then climbed in the 15 passenger van he purchased through the church, and he hauled them all to the park and then out for ice cream. It's funny really, how much kids flock to him. We went to the YMCA (think trendy health club with a giant rock wall, basketball courts, upstairs gym, and indoor water park...for $20 a month) one afternoon with my boys while my little nephews caught up on some much needed sleep. Rod started playing catch with Christian in the pool, and within 5 minutes he was completely surrounded by every kid there! Seriously! They must have played for 45 minutes straight because he didn't have the heart to tell any of them he was done... It's like he has this sign on his head or something... "Come closer...I will play with you.." Amazing ministry... or a big kid? Ummm, maybe a little of both...!
And our kids? Couldn't get enough of each other. Dylan and Joey were instant soul mates, but by the third day they were like fire and ice! Didn't want to be apart for one minute, but then drove each other crazy at the same time! It was funny... totally the age. But if they were separated for one minute they flipped out; had to be at each other's side constantly. And Jett...the happiest baby ever. What a sweetie. Really, you can't resist this beautiful boy. He has the biggest doe eyes and a smile to melt your heart. Shelbi loved him. Christian enjoyed his role in the pecking order too, but depended on Uncle Rod for a play mate... All those "little kids"...
What a week. We spend 90% of our time meeting the needs of all the kids (make breakfast... clean it up; make lunch... clean it up; naps...start dinner...!) but the time together is priceless... I love my brother, sister-in-law and little nephews with all my heart. Nights in the front yard playing "duck-duck-goose" ("gray duck" anyone?!), stopping at every park on every corner, frisbee golf, trips to the mall... it's awesome. And as tired as we are, and ready to be in our own beds (especially with my husband!) I'm always crushed when it's time to say good-bye. It's only a glimpse into the lives of my sweet family, but there's always a part of me that never wants to leave this picturesque town they call "Aberdeen".
Our family...back in March 2008 on their last trip out... :)
1 comment:
Well written, I think you forgot to mention your brother's amazing looks and impeccable sence of fashion
Rod
Post a Comment