All posts in category Family

Step It Up

I have two step sisters. I feel bad because I am not that close to them. It’s not on purpose at all, it’s just life and sometimes life gets in the way. I made a New Year’s Resolution that I was going to reach out more to my “step” family and father. Because there was nothing holding me back other than pure laziness or lack of communication. When I’m with them for dinners, like holidays or birthdays we all get along and have a fabulous time but it’s nothing like the relationship I have with my brother. I speak to my brother almost every other day, and we hang out at least once a week.

When my step sisters, Kim and Jenna, found out I was pregnant they each got me a little something. It was rather cute, Kim got us a boy outfit and Jenna got us a girl outfit with the receipt attached so we could return which ever one “it” wasn’t. Kim obvs wants a boy, and Jenna is all about the girl.

Last week my mom called me telling me Kim had maternity clothes for me and then on Saturday Kim and her husband also dropped off another bag of maternity clothes and they stayed talking for awhile. We had a great conversation and I felt closer to her.

I felt different.

Like maybe these girls ARE my sisters. I liked it.

I want more of it. And I’m gonna make sure that happens.

5 Comments

by Stacey on March 3, 2008 • Permalink

Posted in Family

Posted by Stacey on March 3, 2008

https://togethertheycome.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/step-it-up/

Let Your Heart Be Light

Dear Stacey,

I wanted to tell you that you made my day. I was feeling really down in the dumps when I walked out to the mailbox and was surprised to see something for me! I opened the package and Oh My God! You gave memories back to me that I had forgotten. You know every Christmas I have thought about this music. First thing I did was put it in the CD player and cried (the good kind). But as the CD played I also cried because that which has brought us this music was my mom and your grandmother. I want to thank-you very much!! Stacey you have made my Christmas extra special this year, even when I was feeling ba-hum-bug. But I’m not anymore. Say hi to your brother if you see him. I love you both and have a very Merry Christmas and most of all a Happy New Year!!

Love you,

Aunt Nancy

This letter is the best gift I’ve ever received.

I had heard from my other Aunt through email like the day after I sent out the cd’s so I was getting worried that maybe I had the wrong address for this Aunt. I didn’t care if she thanked me or not but after hearing stories about how much she specifically loved the record, I really hoped I didn’t have the wrong address. She moves a lot and is sometimes hard to get in touch with. But then yesterday when I got home there was this letter on the counter. Enclosed with the letter was a ton of old pictures of our families together when we were younger. Our computer at home just took a dive so I can’t scan them but as soon as we fix it I’ll scan them up.

I’m so happy I made her so happy.

3 Comments

by Stacey on December 7, 2007 • Permalink

Posted in Family, Holidays, I'm Happy

Posted by Stacey on December 7, 2007

https://togethertheycome.wordpress.com/2007/12/07/let-your-heart-be-light/

Thank You

Last night, I snuggled up on the couch to watch Dancing With The Stars: Results. (bye, bye Jennie, don’t worry, I still heart you and will continue to ask for 90210 for Christmas!) I don’t even watch this show but for some reason when I saw the previews, I wanted to last night. I’m not sure what I watched after that, but I found myself wide awake and watching the nightly news at 11:00. Three minutes later I was bawling on my couch. I’m serious, like, real sobs.

The first story they addressed last night was a lady in a near by town beating her dog with a stick on video. I lost it. I just can’t take that. I also cannot watch the Animal Channel either, you know, when the dog police are out picking up abused or neglected animals. I can’t stomach that at all. Star was laying next to me on the couch with her head resting on my leg looking at me like, “momma, why you cry?” Yes, and she sounded like Jennifer Aniston in The One After Ross Says Rachel…go figure!

So because this is my Thanksgiving ~~episode~~ post, first I would like to say I’m thankful for my dog.

She can snore louder than anyone I know and still be on alert for attack.
She knows right where to lay in the kitchen when I’m cooking which is under my feet, but for some reason I’ve become talented enough to work around her.
She’s right there when I drop things, but only food and mostly to eat it.
She leaves hair for me in all the right places. I love to sweep. And vacuum.
She’s a good listener and tries really hard too. You can tell because her head cocks to one side.
She’s always ready to sleep when I am.

And….

I’m thankful for dinners with my girls.
Their babies that make me smile.
My moms persistent phone calls.
My brothers praise for everything I make him.
My dads humor, while is often embarrassing for me, other people love him.
Robs ability to be a professional snuggler.
That I get to go to work every day.
That I have awesome readers and even some that email me, it makes me smile.
That this year my Thanksgiving dinner guests will consist of, my husband, my brother, my dad, and my uncle. Except the uncle? My moms brother. And my parents are divorced. How awesome is my family? Awesome!

Today is the last day of work for 4 days. I am truly thankful for that one! I’m really, really excited for the holidays this year. I have always been in love with this time of year, but it feels different this year for some reason.

We have a fun filled weekend starting tonight so I’ll be posting lots of pictures come Sunday or Monday. I hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend!

7 Comments

by Stacey on November 21, 2007 • Permalink

Posted in Family, Holidays, I'm Happy

Posted by Stacey on November 21, 2007

https://togethertheycome.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/thank-you/

The End

I found out last night that my brother is having surgery tomorrow morning. It’s only outpatient, but I guess I get worried about what they could find during the process seeing as yes, the symptoms seem to point to one thing but you never really know. And he’s been having these issues for awhile and tried to ignore them as long as he could. I was upset to know that the whole family knew except for me. He does this to me often because he does not like me to worry. I find this funny, not in a ha ha sense, but because he is always so caring and has been there for me in so many ways as I’ve dealt with many experiences in the hospital, and I just want to return the favor. Favor. Uh. Not really what I meant. What I mean is I want him to know how much I love him, as he did me during all of those times.

Maybe he doesn’t need me like I needed him. Or maybe, he just doesn’t want to ask for it because he’s a boy, and boys are like that. My father stopped by and I said, “I’m upset and need to yell at you, well it’s not about you but I need someone to yell at!” I didn’t really yell, but I told him I was pissed about just finding out about the surgery. I had tried to call Mike earlier but he didn’t answer, thus my frustrations were not satisfied by an “I’m sorry” and an explanation. After my dad left, he was going to my brothers to find out the game plan for Friday as he is taking the day off of work to be with him. Soon after he left, my phone rang. Yep, just enough time for my dad to tell him I’m not a happy sister. We don’t keep secrets in this family.

Mike: I’m sorry, it’s not like that. I’ve just been busy getting everything set up.
BM: That’s fine, but I would like to know if my only sibling is going under the knife as I need to a) pray and b) make you food so you have something to eat while you recover at home. Thanks!
Mike: Well, whatever you make….make a lot.

We also like to eat in this family.

My dad, in addition, told me that during the procedure Mike is also getting….er….you know…fixed, if you will. It makes me want to cry.

So, I guess we’re done then. No more McCrary’s.

7 Comments

by Stacey on November 1, 2007 • Permalink

Posted in A little too deep, Big Brother, Family

Posted by Stacey on November 1, 2007

https://togethertheycome.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/the-end-2/

Nothing Lasts For Long

Take my hand
And walk with me
And tell me who you love
And make a wish and you can see
The first star from above

I lied. I’m here. I said I wouldn’t post until Monday. I lied.

Last night we were at dinner before the concert and Sweetlips got a call from his best friend asking if it would be okay if he could join us at the concert, which means that THE sister would be there too. Did I ever mention that the sister dates the Sweetlippers best friend? In case I haven’t, that’s the story.

Of course, we say yes. Over the past few weeks she has called and did leave a message with an apology for her harsh words. When I see her come in, I get right up and give her a hug. Am I still hurt? Yes. Do I not agree with her? Yes. But still, I just gave her a hug because I think about how much I love my brother and how if my husband loves his sister with an ounce of that, I don’t want to be rude to her if it means hurting my husbands feelings.

Ya ever feel so deep and lost
Somewhere in the past?
Is it wrong to not hold on
if nothing ever lasts?

We all had a really nice time. Something about live music is always stimulating for me.

At the end though, my husband and his sister start talking again….and once again, not agreeing. We end up leaving with my husband basically just walking out of the conversation.

“She won’t listen to me!”

“Why does she have to?” I ask him. I mean, it’s just a thought but why?

Maybe nothing lasts for ever
Not the mountain or the sea
But the times we have together
They will always be with me

Every time I see my brother, I see my entire childhood. He is the one person who knows it all. He knows every holiday tradition, every Christmas Eve, every fight my parents had, every fight we had in the back seat of the family car and drawing lines to make sure you “stay on your side!”. He remembers my mom’s cream puff recipe, how we used to sleep on the floor of bedrooms with our head sticking out of the bedroom door so we could still talk, and how we used to make our mom so angry when we’d ride down the stairs in laundry baskets.

So yes, I don’t agree with every single thing that my brother says or does. And I could tell him that every time he brings up those specific things, but I just choose not to. You have to pick your battles and decide what’s important to you….getting someone to understand your point when they clearly don’t have the same priorities as you? Or having a relationship with your sibling?

I choose the latter.

The sun is down and the wind is calm
As it gently fades away
I wonder then and I think of you
And how nothing ever stays

That’s all.

Together They Come