What I've Learned ..... and time for Vaca!!!

It has been quite a while since I posted my last post, so I thought I would at least do a short one to keep the readers reading!! :) It's hard to believe it, but time sure does fly when you're having fun .... I have been out of Phoenix, and an Atlanta resident for a little over 8 months now. It's amazing to think how much my life has changed and how much has taken place since the big move. Tomorrow afternoon I am leaving for my first "vacation" since moving to Atlanta, and am heading south for a week on the beach with the family. Every summer we always go down to Gulf Shores for a week with my family and my dad's sister and her family!! It is always a fun time. Of all my cousins, due to age, and being a girl and a boy just like our family, the Siegels have always been very close cousins!! It is always fun to spending the week with the fam! As I was driving home from work this afternoon I realized how many things have taken place and how many things I have come to learn and realize in my short time in Atlanta so far, so thought I would recap ....
Through a huge scare, I have learned how truly precious life is.....that it's ok to live a little more and sleep a little less.... Ive learned it's ok to be scared and not want to talk about things with others, that those that really care will understand and be waiting for you when you are ready to talk...... I have learned that distance really does make the heart grow fonder ... that true friends are never "far", they are always an easy phone call away ... that making new friends is possible, if not maybe more fun at the age of 25..... i've learned that maybe those that you've thought for years as your "best friends" aren't necessarily that best of friends ..... that there are people out there that will be come your friends and make you wonder how you ever lived your life without them being a part of your life before.... that those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.... that family will always be your one steady, and how lucky I am to have such an amazing net of family that I also consider my dearest friends.... that it's ok to tell someone how you truly feel, they dont have to make you feel the same way back, but at least you have let them know how much they mean to you....I think that's enough for now .... this list could go on and on, so more for another day, but after an incredible rollercoaster of a last few months, it's time for some vacation!!! A week on the beach should help a great deal, as well as time with family!!!
I am starting off vacation in Mobile, one of my very best friends from high school is getting married .... I am so happy for Tanner... although I am not sure if this means we have to lose the nickname, since she will no longer be a Tanner?! Then to the beach for a week, then it sounds like we get to head back to Mobile to meet the newest baby cousin that as I hear should be here at any hour now ...... so in advance, welcome to the world Baby Boy Handmacher, I can't wait to meet you!! Time to get to the packing so I can get some sleep tonight ..... Have a wonderful week!! XOXO

Family time in Atlanta..

More family time, I love it!!! I have seen my family more in the past few months than I think I had seen them in all fo the past 6 years!!! This past weekend it was family time in Atlanta, which of course is even better because I don't even have to go anywhere!! It was the Atlanta Mart, for those of you in retail, or that have family in retail you probably already know what it is, if not, look it up, because I don't want to have to explain it! LOL
That said, my parents and brother decided to come to Atlanta for a weekend of family time.... and Mart time (all weekend!) In addition to my parents being up here, Cousins Eric, Natalie, Meredith, and Jamie were also in town, so in addition to spending time with Eric and Nat at the Mart, we all spent Saturday night together for dinner, then dessert and drinks back at the hotel!! It was a fun night filled with lots of laughter as usual!! Sometimes you just can't beat family time, and weekends that are fun like this one you surely can't beat!! Below are a few pictures of the cousins from dinner..!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Cousins weekend in Mobile...!!

This past weekend my cousin David drove down from Athens, and we jumped in the car after work on Friday and headed to Mobile for a fun weekend with cousins and family!! What's the occasion you may ask, a new cousin!!! Kinneret Melamut was born about 6 months ago and made her first trip to Mobile, where her father grew up down the street from me and where her Grandma E, and many cousins still live! Not only did I get to meet little miss Kinneret for the first time, but I also got to meet little miss Ayla Rose (her first cousin) for the first time!! It had been far too long since I had seen any Melamuts. I was still living in Phoenix during Ayla's first trip to Mobile, so missed her entire first year, although can say I hardly missed it, as I saw her grow and change through pictures galore! Her parents are by far the best parents I have yet to find with updating photos on a regular basis, and although I had not physically gotten to give either of these precious girls a hug or a kiss yet, thanks to Brian and Jana, I have been able to watch them both go from babies to toddlers through photos (seriously, thank you Brian and Jana!) Although unfortunately mom was not in town last weekend to share in all the festivities, it was so wonderful to get to see all the rest of the family and cousins on the Mutchnick side. (my dad's mom's side of the family) The Siegels (my dad's sister and family) stayed with us at my house, and on Saturday before the "welcome to mobile party" for Kinneret, the melamuts, susmans, and asmans came over for lunch and to hang out for a bit. Then to the big event we went at Aunt Eileen's house. Like every other family function, we were there for about 8 hours, which consisted of non stop laughter and fun times! Growing up, I had no first cousins in Mobile, but many second cousins that I was so lucky to grow up with!! I love all of my cousins, and it is so great to see how close we all are, even as second cousins and first cousins alike! I can not imagine what life would have been like having to grow up without all of my Mutchnick cousins in the same city! There are two more baby cousins on the way, cousin Dana and Nathan are due in the next month or so, and adorable William will be a big brother!!! Jill (Dana's sister) and Clark are expecting their first baby in January!!! It is all so exciting!! When did my generation become old enough to now be having all the babies!! Eventually when I am having kids, I will have wonderful role model cousins to look up to as example parents!! Sadly, I took very few pictures, but hopefully can get a few photos out of cousin Brian, and will post a few once I get them!! Happy Birthday, little Miss Ayla, I hope you had a wonderful first birthday, and can't wait to watch you and all of your little cousins grow as the years go on!! To all cousins reading this --- I love you all and can't wait until the next fun gathering!! XOXO