Special Visitors!

Last week, we enjoyed an unexpected visit from Mommy's old friend from Virginia.  Brinn and I started working together in Portsmouth in 2005 for a local law firm.  I had started working at the firm in late 2003, and she started working part-time there while she completed college.  Her little boy, Ayden, had just turned one and now he is a big boy of almost 10!  While I was working in Virginia, we just developed a special friendship, and I would sometimes go hang out at her parents' house after work when Eddie was out of town.  Her parents were so kind and just welcomed anyone like they were part of the family.  Her dad was especially welcoming, and I often had trouble leaving at a decent hour to get home because he could sit and talk for hours.  Eddie and I both actually enjoyed hanging out with this family.  Some of you may have actually heard some of Brinn's family's story on here.  Brinn is little Henry's aunt.  A couple of weeks ago I found out some more shocking news for this family.  It seemed Brinn's sweet dad had suddenly become very sick and passed away.  He had suffered in recent years from a debilitating condition that had left him wheelchair bound, but he had seemed to be doing pretty well lately so this sudden condition was a shock although it wasn't expected to cause his death.  The family didn't have a chance to even travel up to be with him although Brinn and her kids had spoken to him that night on the computer while he was in the hospital.  We are all confident that he is enjoying some special time with little Henry now.  Brinn now lives in Florida with her family and had to travel up to Virginia to get together with his family and celebrate her father's life.  I know it was a blessing that she and her siblings all got to be together again, but I know it was not under good circumstances.  We were happy that Brinn and the kids could stop by for a short visit on their way home.  Hopefully, we will get together again one day soon, but I was glad our kids got to meet. We have already made plans for Brody and Brinn's little girl, Fynlee, to marry in about 25 years, and they really seemed to hit it off!  ;-)

Our best attempt at a group shot.  Faryn, the baby, got a kick out of pulling Brody's ear.  Looks like he met his match.  Haha!

Then Brody had to share the love with Evan!  We also couldn't get a smile out of Fynlee because it was getting pretty late. 

And Brody decided pictures were over. 

Me and this little cutie met for the first time. 

Just me and the girls. 

The last time these two met, Elias was just a baby.  He is now 4, and he and Evan share a love of video gaming. 

And Brinn and I were trying for a picture of just us, but the kids wanted to join in. 

Brinn's adorable family

And Fynlee and Brody share a goodbye hug.  So sweet!