I Come From A Long Line of Love

Mamaw is 94 years old this month and is more full of love now than ever. She has a line of descendants longer than David and if you get that joke you are a good God fearin, Bible totin, hand raisin, Pentecostal woman....and you wear panty hose on Sundays and all...cause you are pure and holy and righteous.

That has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I very rarely stick to topic...kinda...usually not. Anyhoo, she has 70 direct descendants and they were all there for Thanksgiving...all but two. We have now removed them form the will. I kid. I kid. Kinda.Mamaw had ten kids...nine of which are living. This is the Eldest...Esther. She is the FIRST born -- a leader, a take-charge woman. She also keeps everybody in line and would never, ever allow anyone to pick on any of us. She is priceless. And she drove out to Oklahoma to visit us when I was nine months pregnant ... and she took me out to eat...and PAID. And I was not a light eater. Amen. Aunt Esther teaches me to take care of others.
Dallas is the second child. He left before I took his pic. But he is the epitome of someone who never gives up. Never does not see hope. Never doesn't see a better way. Uncle Dallas teaches me to believe and never give up.

Dolly May died when she was three years old in an accident. I never met her nor did my mother.

Bobby is the fourth child. He is as strong and secure in his beliefs as anyone I know. He is a man of integrity and honor. He always puts God and his family first. Uncle Bobby teaches me to hold fast to my beliefs. Next comes Becky. She has had a hard life. But at the end of the day, no one can ever deny her sacrifice and love for her kids. Aunt Becky teaches me to always love....always.Johnny comes in at number six. He is a hard worker and is dedicated to success. He teaches me to have drive and a strong work ethic.Shirley is lucky number seven. She is the one I spent the most time with because her daughter was only two months older than me. Her other daughter is my rich and beautiful cousin who loves just a few miles from me. Aunt Shirley taught me family can be friends.Barbara is a school teacher and the educator in the family. She always truly CARED about my life -- where I was, who I was seeing, where I was going. She taught me to value education and the love of reading. Aunt Barbara and I are kindred spirits and have a heart for teaching. Betty is number nine and the fashion guru of the family. I always wanted to be just like Aunt Betty and thought she was the most beautiful thang ev-er. Aunt Betty gave me my love for shopping and the most important thing ev-er....THE CARROT CAKE RECIPE.And coming in last but not least me my momma....the BABY. She is the glue and the peace maker in the family. Always negotiating and trying to see everyone's point of view...I take away the gift of peace from my momma.

This guy? I have no clue who he is. But this is also just like my family...we invite everyone. He might have been the maintenance man, he coulda been the mayor, he probably was a guy with no family for the holidays....either way, we don't care...we just love ya and can't believe you wanna be with our family. God love em.

This is my rich and beautiful cousin who lives close to me and had absolutely GREAT hair and he biggest heart you have ever seen. Next to her is my brother's wife who is absolutely wonderful. I love her to pieces. And I can't wait for her to pop out some babies. And they will be as cute as her....

But this was a typical Thanksgiving with forty eleven people even more food...

The food...oh the food...
in which they all slave away and I sit back and watch

and drool...and my belly cries out...Finally, Uncle Bobby does the prayer...

and I totally catch my cousin in the red sweater on the right ...yeah.he is totally texting during the prayer. Heathen. I was taking pics but my eyes were closed. Honest.Then please take a look at who is the first person in line...It was for the kids....I SWEAR I was makin plates for the Boy Twerps. Honest. Probably.Then everybody else followed....even the Hell Bound Texter.And let me tell you, this Twerp takes after his momma...not only in his stellar good looks, but also his appetite.And once dinner was complete...
We moved on to Aunt Betty's straight form heaven and right to your thighs carrot cake. You can see the joy it brings to one...we are all aware of how my thighs sing out in glory at the splendid beauty of this cuisine.

And now I weigh 8,421 pounds and my thighs are still singing forth in praise.