While the 40 years of my life may not have been the "perfect" life, I believe it shaped me to be who I am today. Most significantly, I have been a part of so many different families through the years. First, my family was my single biological mother and older brother. My older brother often took on a caregiving role for which I am thankful. He helped teach me to ride a bike (I do remember going down a hill and ending up in a bush). He made up games for us to play together as we grew older. He used his hard earned money from his first jobs to buy me beloved presents. He chose for us to stay together through our family changes. He was my constant for so many years. Thank you, Paul! Later, my family changed to a biological uncle, aunt and cousin we joined in Indiana for a time. These fond memories stayed with me for a lifetime, and I was sad to hear of my beloved Uncle Ronnie's death in 2015. He came to my wedding and also visited us in Charlotte a few years before we moved away. My brother and I lived in temporary foster homes and then moved into a larger group home where we lived in separate houses. I got to have many sisters and he many brothers for several years, and it was such a blessing to experience. We met our forever parents at that home. Later, we became a traditional family of four to which was later added some beloved pets (some cute parakeets, a sweet rabbit, and finally a beloved dog). We became a minister's family and added many church family into the mix, and that was another blessing that changed our family dynamic. Preacher's kids will understand. You get so attached to church family and friends. We said many sad goodbyes and made many new friends along the way. College brought dorm and co-ed friends and family. Work brought even more. Then, romance blossomed into future family as many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were added to the mix. Then, marriage and children have continued to change that family. We lost parents, grandparents, and a child along the way too which definitely affected our lives. I think it is so important to step back and realize where you have been and how it shaped who you are and where you are headed. It helps you be thankful for the blessings you have, and I have many. I hope you enjoy this little walk down memory lane with me. I do love old pictures and am so thankful for the ones I have.
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Circa 1980
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Circa 1981
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Circa 1982
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| Circa 1983 |
Circa 1984
An early picture of my first family with my biological mother and brother.
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Circa 1985 ~ probably my kindergarten school picture
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Circa 1986 ~ meeting my new mother who came to be our house parent at the Children's Home.
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My second large family with my forever parents and a lot of sisters at the Home for Children.
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Circa 1987 ~ A beloved friend and sister at the children's home we called home.
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Circa 1988
First family portrait as a family of four.
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Circa 1989
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Circa 1990 ~ A momentous occasion of my first trip across the country to visit my new Grandma and family in California after being adopted. It was marked by my being the sickest I had ever been with a severe case of pneumonia. I made the best of it after getting strong antibiotics and an inhaler for breathing treatments. We still managed to visit Yosemite National Park, Sacramento, and San Francisco.
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Circa 1991
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Circa 1992
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| Circa 1993 ~ my 13th birthday party |
Circa 1994 ~ my modeling portraits during my brief attempt to learn to be a model
My mom's dear friend made so many beautiful dresses for me. This one was for her daughter's wedding where I was an attendant.
My attempt at "freeze modeling." Some stores would use "real" mannequins in their displays, and my class got a chance to participate. I chose to focus on an object on the ceiling to avoid seeing people stare at me. Haha!
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| Circa 1995 ~ 1st trip to Washington, D.C. |
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| Circa 1995 ~ 15th birthday |
Circa 1996
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One last family portrait as a family of four before my brother graduated from law school and got married.
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Circa 1997-1998 ~ Junior Prom
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Circa 1998-1999 ~ Senior Prom
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Circa 1999 ~ High School graduation
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Circa 2000 ~ A picture with my first baby boy, Jingles.
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Circa 2000 ~ the sweet beginning of our love story
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Circa 2001
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Circa 2002 - Engagement picture
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Circa 2003 ~ A Bride
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Circa 2003 ~ The beginning of our happily ever after.
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| Circa 2003 ~ Our Honeymoon in Maui |
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| Circa 2004 ~ 1st Trip to NYC |
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Circa 2005 ~ a visit with my Mom at our little town park.
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| Circa 2006 ~ Eddie's 10 Year high school reunion |
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Circa 2007 ~ Expecting our first baby.
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| Circa 2007 ~ Evan is born! |
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| Circa 2007 ~ Our first family portraits |
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Circa 2008 ~ Evan's 2nd Easter
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| Circa 2009 ~ Spring family pictures |
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| Circa 2009 ~ Evan's 1st Beach Vacation |
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| Circa 2010 ~ Our first family trip to California |
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| Circa 2010 ~ my first law school formal |
Circa 2010 ~ one last family photo as a family of 3
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| Circa 2011 ~ Brody is born! |
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| Circa 2011 ~ Brody's 1st Christmas |
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Circa 2012 ~ second law school formal
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| Circa 2012 ~ Our first family trip to Disney World |
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| Circa 2012 ~ Our annual family beach vacation |
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Circa 2013 ~ Sherry's graduation from law school
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| Circa 2013 ~ Mattie Claire was born to be an angel in heaven. |
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| Circa 2014 ~ Our long awaited rainbow baby is on the way. |
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| Circa 2015 ~ Our beautiful rainbow Mattox is born. |
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| Circa 2015 ~ Our family portrait |
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| Circa 2016 ~ Our little rainbow turns one. |
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Circa 2016 ~ Our family vacation to Universal Studios and Harry Potter World.
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| Circa 2016 ~ Our precious and gorgeous surprise rainbow Grayson is born. |
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| Circa 2017 ~ We head to Georgia to make new adventures in our new home. |
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Circa 2017 ~ Our second family trip to Disney World.
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| Circa 2018 ~ Our miracle rainbow baby girl is on the way. |
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| Circa 2019 ~ Our beautiful miracle girl Magnolia is born prematurely with a few minor complications, but we were so in love and so thankful. |
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Circa 2020 ~ The year we lived in quarantine while saying goodbye to Georgia and planning for new adventures in South Carolina.
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Turning 40 in 2020 in the middle of a global pandemic seemed to require a special photo shoot. My husband obliged.
I can't wait to see what the next 40 years will bring! We are just living and loving the adventure!
