My Daily Blessings: A Mother's Journal: Reuniting with Family Parsons Style

We made the long trip down to Springfield, MO last weekend for our bi-annual Parsons' family reunion. This was the longest car trip Evangeline has been on since our Michigan trip we took when she was 11 months old, so I'm not really sure she had any clue why we were stuck in the car so long. She thoroughly enjoyed staying in the hotel. It was a nice big suite we shared with my mom so it had a kitchen area, common room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Evangeline kept calling it her new home. That night when we were saying our bedtime prayers she thanked God for her new bed and new home. I also believe she thought we traveled 6 plus hours to swim in the hotel pool. That was a top priority for her, the rest of the trip was just details.

These reunions are really a testament to the awesomeness of my family. People come from miles around. Some of them are such distant relatives that I could probably get away with marrying them in some states...kidding....sort of. I always enjoy these reunions. They are hosted by different families each time, so each reunion is a unique experience.

While Kyle was visiting the largest and original Bass Pro Shop I had a lovely Saturday spent hitting some of the local antique shops and a tea room for lunch. Evangeline spent our time at the tea room snoozing on my arm. Good heavens, she is heavy! My arm was shaking like crazy, not to mention after having downed three cups of tea I was in great need of a trip to the ladies room posthaste. However, I am a firm believer in the wisdom of "never waking a sleeping baby", so I bucked up and let the little lady get her sleep.

Ahhh, I could stare at that sleeping face forever. What a beauty.

So here I am having a lovely time at the tea room despite the quivering arm and the screaming bladder.

I love my family. I am proud to claim these wonderful people as my relatives. Evangeline had a great time with everyone too. Here she is with my Auntie Mary Jo. I have been enjoying the honey MJ gave me. Ohhhh, her honey is such a treat! I am admittedly a tad stingy with it and I try to see how long I can make it last.

I always love catching up with my cousin Susan and her hubby Scott.

Here is a picture of my mom sharing the information on all of her genealogical findings. She has really got a passion for genealogy. We are lucky to have someone so knowledgeable on our family history.

I'm not sure whether to be worried or amused by what I am about to share, but whatever the case it was plain adorable...Evangeline saw a little girl drinking her water out of a stemmed glass and whispered to me, "Mommy, that little girl in the purple dress is drinking wine." I told her that she was only drinking water out of a fancy glass and that she could drink her water out of a fancy glass too if she was careful. She got all excited and jumped at the chance. She kept telling me things like, "Mommy, I'm old enough to drink wine." and "I'm drinking wine." She thought that glass was pretty darn special.