Birthday Memories

After walking down memory lane yesterday, I had to hunt up some pictures. Of course, I ended up spending way too much time looking at the pictures. But I really like remembering our family's past. My sister-in-law (once removed?)Cindy has adopted 38 children and memories for her family are so different. My children are so blessed to have an anchor of a secure past. I can't imagine not having that past. With the tension that comes with adolescence and the push-pull dance of a teenager daughter, our memories of fun, secure, happy times, helps us ride out the turbulence of today. I know it helps me and it is obvious it helps her. How much harder must the parent-child relationship be during this time if that trust of the last 14 years weren't there? Looking at pictures of a 3-year old cuddling in my arms or the 4-year old "reading" to her dolls conjures up the warm fuzzies and has me realizing all her wonderful qualities. It is similar in all relationships, the more positive memories between the people, the easier to weather the storms (the easier to trust the other will still be there after the storm). Many relationship gurus call these happy times as times of "filling the love tank" and the difficult times depletes it. How I admire Cindy for being able to keep filling up the tanks of her children (while having to patch holes in their tanks...they don't all know how to accept the love).


The Singer's 1st Birthday
The Singer and her cousin at her 2nd Birthday

The Singer and her cousin at her 4th Birthday










The Singer on her 5th Birthday...Princess Party


















The Singer in Virginia for her cousin's 7th Birthday.









The Singer at her Barbie Birthday (6th).