Just how far from the tree can the apple fall?

I've been thinking a lot about families. Perhaps it's because I've learned (indirectly) that not only can you not pick your family, but you surely can't control them. While I agree with the "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" philosophy on some accounts, on others I can't seem to figure out if some people came from the same planet, let alone the same tree!

My repetitive analysis of families probably stems from my realization that in 130 days I'll be joining Brad's family and he'll be joining mine (I tend to think he's getting the better deal, but hey, who isn't at least a bit partial?). Also, in less than two months, thanks to Allie, we'll be adding a new member to our family. I've coped to the thought of Brad joining the dynamic, I actually really like that concept, but the thought of another outsider--gasp! My heart breaks--I didn't choose this one and I will have zero control on what he does to the mixture that I've loved for so long.

Obviously, this causes me some distress. What will happen to my idea of the "perfect" (haha) family? Will my little kitten be taken away? I should probably go ahead and admit (if it's not already obvious) that I typically don't like change at all, and I'll probably have severe issues with this merging of families, but I'm already working on my acceptance theory. I have to keep an open mind--a straight path to my goal "NO CHANGE." I want Allie around like usual, and most importantly, the holidays MUST remain the same. The thought of waking up on Christmas morning without my sister there, yikes! The mere thought makes me cringe. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the same nostalgia towards things like this that I do, and quite frankly she likely won't even think about the Christmas dynamic until a day or two before (if we're lucky). Ahh, the heartache.

Now for the other aspect, joining someone else's family. I think back to when I used to go on vacations with my friends. It always seemed like a good idea, and I usually always had a great time, but neverless by the end of the week, I was always ready to get back to my normalcy--my family. I am very used to (and happy with) the way my family functions and when I lose that structure for too long... I don't do well. I have a hard time understanding how certain famillies function, and while it doesn't really bother me in the grand scheme of things, I am very reluctant to partake.

After March 8, I won't have an option. The whole "to death do us part thing" encompasses a joining of two families and I'll instantly have new "sisters" and nieces and nephews and all sorts of other relatives. This excites me to a degree, (who doesn't need more people to love them, right?) yet on another level I am very nervous. This family is different than the one I was born into. They don't have to like me, they don't even have to love me--wow! There is no guarantee that we're going to fit perfectly together like me and my family, and there's no guarantee that we'll even bond like families do.

Oh so much to think about... however, the bright side is that families can be sent home and the one addition to my family that I can control is perfect. We fit, and I can only hope that the family we create will be just as special as the one I've valued for so long.

Is it Monday already?

Wow, what a weekend! Friday we left for a journey to Jacksonville, FL--an adventure that it seems like Brad has been waiting for forever. For two years he's been talking about the FSU vs. UA football game that only happens once every million years in his mind. The road trip was long, but definitely worth it to see him so excited. Once he joined his fellow Seminoles, you would have thought he won the lottery!

We spent the weekend with Sissy's brother and his friend Michael. We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay or more hospitable hosts. They were wonderful and I'm confident that our trip would have been much more stressful had we been left to fend for ourselves in the city of numerous bridges and dreadful construction. However, overall, Jacksonville was fantastic and I'm glad I got at least a glimpse of what the city has to offer.

Now, it's Monday and back to the same old stuff...work! Today has seemed so long that I'm almost convinced that it has to be at least Thursday. Unfortunately, 4 more days until the weekend (but only 3 until my birthday celebration begins!).

WAR EAGLE!