Wait for it....

It doesn't happen often. In fact, it has happened once in the past 6 years- and didn't happen before than since I was in highschool- no wait since sophomore year of college- then highschool. What am I talking about? Family vacation. Sit back and learn what it is like to be the only child (27) and go on vacation with your parents (68 and 54).

Destination: Charleston, SC Duration:2.5 days (trust me- that is enough)

If you have ever rode with my deddy, you know that it is standard protocol to check your pants on the assigned bathroom break to see if you did indeed poop in your pants from his driving antics. The OH CRAP handle gets used more than once, as well as the passenger side brakes (your cars don't have these?). My momma refuses to sit up front because of the wild stunts White Cosby pulls. Either he is an adrenaline junkie or is completely oblivious to oncoming traffic. But, I am more than happy to ride shotgun with White Cos. On the way up we listened to my ipod loaded with lots of classic rock and roll and some rhythm and blues. I made my parents guess who sang the songs. I must say my mom only got 1 wrong. Well, technically, she got it right, but was referring to the band that covered the song, not the original. White Cos knows the words to all these songs, but wasn't as quick to the draw as momma. The trip up wasnt bad at all. Only 1 minor argument before we left Milledgeville, so I dont really count that.

We had dinner at the Crab shack somewhere near our hotel. It was nice to just sit and talk to my parents. I dont get to do that very often when we are home- because 1 of 2 things is happening: both arent in the same place at the same time and- if Mowgli is present- I dont exist. So- we had some long serious talks about my present life and future life. No one got mad and we agreed on a lot of things- mark that down in the history books. 

For the record, let me just say I booked a sweet hotel on expedia. Holiday Inn and Suites in North Charleston- you won't be disappointed. We went back and watched a few hours of the movie story and had solemn conversations. Off to bed with my lime green ear plugs my mom brought for me- since BOTH my parent's snores could wake up the dead. 

Saturday- oh how busy I kept them. We took a bus tour around Charleston and it was really good information- but too quick to snatch a lot of pics. I took some that I will have to post later. After the bus tour, we headed to Ft. Sumter by Ferry. This was an exciting trip for my dad and I- as one of our distant relatives was involved in the first firings of the CIVIL WAR. You get that? The first shots. It was really cool to step back into history and know that my family had ties on this pretty small island and inlet. 

The one thing that all three of us have in common is that we all have a love for history. My mom and I have been on many a house tour and my dad has taken me a lot of places involved with our family (cue West Virginia trip over Thanksgiving break in college). Everyone loves to look at things from different eras and learn how life was back then. It was cool to see my dad get excited about reading some of the stuff on the island. We even found a picture of our distant relative on the wall. Pics posted later. 

Lunch at Sticky Fingers- which is quickly becomming a favorite of mine- then off to the next tour. When you are 27- you can go and go and go. When you are the parents to a 27 year old...your get up and go has left the building. So, after begging to go to this place- we made it there as they were closing. BUT- it was most assuredly the highlight of the trip for me. Middleton Place- America's largest landscapped garden. One thing my dad and I share is a LOVE for a pretty yard. I didnt get the green thumb gene (was blessed with the black thumb, because everything dies when I mess with it)- but my dad mustve gotten the green hand gene because our yard is spectacular in the spring. This place- was just garden after garden of amazing use of space. If I had the nerve to do it- Kevin Pope and I would be getting married here. It is a photographer's DREAM.  We just walked the old plantation and took lots of pics and read lots of information about each space. Beautiful doens't begin to describe it. More pics later.

Wait- I am forgetting the LOVELY time we had with the brand spankin new GPS Garmin Nuvi I gave to my dad for Christmas. Lemme just say: White Cosby didnt quite get the jist of following comands from that thing. We made A LOT OF wrong turns and turnarounds.. insert a few arguments here.

We then headed to waffle house for dinner- so exciting right? At this point we were so tired and hot and GROSS I didnt care about eating. One major argument here and it was a bad one, but I did feel bad about it and apologize. Off to bed then off to the beach Sunday morning.

The beach was a nice relaxing time. Everyone just chilled and kept to themselves because I think we were all still asleep at 9am when we got there. Folly Beach is a nice beach. Go early before all the crowd gets there. Lunch at the crab shack again- this time crab legs and it was a really good lunch. No one talked. Not that that makes it good, but the food was way better this time. Tanger outlets for a few hours- then home.

Oh glorious home. The best part of vacation: leaving to go somewhere. The worst part: the ride home. More so the last hour and a half of the trip. Home so close you can taste it, but so far you are going to die if you dont get out of the car. A few major arguments, I apologized again, and some near crash calls because of the need to pass a slow driver to be faced with a transfer truck coming at you!

This is already longer than I intended- so I will wrap it up. I am glad that my family had the opportunity to spend some much needed time together. More pics posted later.

Aunt Rachel

I was blessed with the joy of being an only child. God knew I was a enough for my parents to handle. So that has always given me the other "joy" of being considered "spoiled, selfish and stingy". Some of that is partly true. I was spoiled with attention not only from my parents, but from my aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. I was the youngest grandchild on my dad's side- so of course I got the royal treatment :). Selfish- sometime I really dont like people usign my stuff because I value my stuff so much and treat it much more gently than my friends. I didnt share clothes or jewelry until I lived with Julie- and she taught me that she would treat my stuff as good as I did and we never had any problems. So I have tried to share with my other bff Faren, God help her, but she broke every pair of earrings I let her borrow. So- she buys me new ones to replace the broken.

Anyyyway- I dont have any official nieces or nephews (when Jeffery marries me- I get 2 real ones) and it is really sad. BUT the good thing is that I have EIGHT count them 8 little cousins who call me Aunt Rachel and it blesses my heart. These kids have been my world since the first one Jackson came into the world 9 years ago. I also have adopted nieces and nephews from my closest friends who let me be a part of their child's life and let them call me Aunt Rachel (Emma Kate Renfroe and Ethan Whatley. It truly is a blessing.

Aunt Rachel loves to spend time with the elite 8 and my other 2 Britney and Bayle. I love them all so much and couldnt think of not having them ALL in my wedding (whenever it comes). I have had more experience changing diapers, feeding, bathing, watching, scolding, loving, and playing with these kids than any other person I know.  

Below you will find a story of each kid how they have changed my life. 

Jackson Lane Smades- aka Action Jackson- who recently just turned 9!! Man where has the time gone!! This is one of the smartest most inquisitive kids you will ever meet. He loves to show his brothers and sister how to do something and loves to be a leader. One time he was reading over my shoulder (and Aunt Rachel didnt know he could read) and I texted some boy I was dating I love you too and Jackson just balled out laughing and said "ohhh I love youuuuu". It was so embarrassing to have a kid read that out- and then proclaim it to the family. Jackson is always funny and always willing to help. I <3 him so much!

Gary Parker Smades- aka Parker Poos, 8
Parker has always been kidded about being so dark skinned. He got alllll the pigment of is siblings and we love to tease him about being a a different color than his family. One time he said "Im not black- Im Mexican". We all died laughing. He is a sweet kid who has eaten the same thing for most of his entire life- until last year. Normally he would just eat cookies and cream pop tarts- beefaroni and apple sauce with no chunks. But with a lot of encouragement and help- he not tries more food! Yay Parker. He ate fruit and chicken last night- I was in shock! Parker has always been the dare devil of the kids. He doesnt cry when he gets hurt and always pushes it to the limit of his boundaries. Like the one time he hung over the side of the stairs (up top) and just kinda hung out on the side of the wall til his dad came in and had to get him to drop off the side. Kinda crazy. Parker is a sweet kid and his lil lisp makes him ever so much more cuter.

Kathryn Grace Henson- Grace, aka Baby Grace 6
This is my sweetheart. Grace asked me a couple of weeks ago- "If you die can I have all your jewelry?". She LOVES jewelry. Loves it just like her Aunt Rachel. Another funny story about Grace is one time- while I wasnt around- she was supposed to go change or something- maybe put on her pjs- and she came out with her undies in her butt crack- like cheeks showing her large wedgie and said "this is how Aunt Rachel wears her underware". GASP!! HAAHHAH- she got it right. So embarrassing though. She is a very smart kid and dances. Im partial but she is really good. Parker and Grace look like they are related because she is really dark skinned as well. She is our little Pocahontas. She is learning to read and I just love it when we have girl time together. She is allllll girl friends. Wants her nails and hair done and her favorite color is purple. She has been called Baby Grace since before she was born- and that name never seems to drop because Jackson and Parker still call her that. She can be whiny- but when it comes down to it- she is a beautiful kid who has a piece of my heart.

Spencer Glen & Sydney Grae, aka the twins, almost 5 in a week!! 
If ever there were a set of twins who broke the mold- this would be them. Sydney is all princess and ballerina. Spencer= legos and star wars like his brothers. I cant wait til Sydney gets older and beats the mess out of her brothers (Jackson, Parker, Spencer). They are really different. Spencer is more of a lover and Sydney likes to be the center of attention (a trait I am sure she got from her Aunt). One time when My aunt (my dad's sister and all these kid's grandma) was having their family portrait done- I was there to corral kids. I pulled Sydney out of the hot wheels Barbie car and put her into the family picture. Keep in mind this was professional pics!! She screamed and pitched a HUGE FIT and messed up all the pictures. 
 
Here is her lovely face. The twins are great and have learned so much from their older brothers. They are so dang funny! Sydney takes the lead and doesnt give Spencer a chance. It is a good thing he likes to do things on his own- but he is a daredevil like Parker. When he was 3 he would ride the 4 wheeler standing on 1 leg. Like he was Evil Knievel. They are precious and I love them so very much!




Mason Grant Henson- aka CHUNK, 4

This sweet baby has had my heart since he came into the world. When he was born he had some complications, wimpy white boy syndrome, and was on a ventilator for a while. I was away in Connecticut and didnt get to see him until August when I came home. The 1st time I held him- he had my heart and has never let go. I love this kid so much!! His name chunk comes from when he was a little bit close to one- this boy was HUGE. My dad called him that and it has stuck ever since. He makes the cutest faces and is a riot! I could go on and on about how sweet of a kid he is, but I will just tell stories. He loves Mowgli and calls her a different name every time he sees her. Mow Mow, puffer berry, pup- whatever but he loves her. He loves some Optimus Prime too- and knows all the sounds and if you dont do them right he will let you know. He always loves for Aunt Rachel to hold him- and will pitch a fit until I do. I dont mind. Chunk is a precious kid who is hilarious and he makes me smile every time I talk to him.

Bryson Todd Smith, aka Brycey, 3 freshly turned! 

Bryce is the sweetest kid. He loves Mowgli too and chases her around the house. When he was a baby- you literally could not put him down because he cried. A lot. But he isnt as fussy now and is going to be really good at sports we all hope- and play for the bulldawgs! He is just a cute kid. He is bff with Grant. I cant really think of funny stories of him, Im sure there are. Ohhh wait. Last night Heather told a good one!! She had put Bryce and Aiden down for a nap and Bryce was not going to sleep. She walked in their room and Bryce was standing on his bed PEEING towards Aiden's crib!! The poor baby was getting peed on from his brother! Heather said it was trickling down from the crib and wet enough on the carpet to soak her socks. BAHAHAHAH! Picture this lil mess doing that!  I remember when I first got to hold him. It was the weekend I got my new car and I fell in love again- for the 7th time. He was so little and so irresistibly precious. Bryce always gives good hugs and loves on his Aunt Rachel. He likes to dance and sing and you cant help but laugh. He is going to break some hearts when he gets older, but never his Aunt Rachel's.

Aiden Joseph Smith, aka Aidy baby or Aidy poo- 1

 This is the smallest kid we have ever had in the elite 8. Aiden is SO TINY. He is going to be a climber for sure. He already has lots of bumps and bruises from him climbing on things he shouldnt. Such as the trike and chair last night which fell over on him. He is just so little, but you cant help but love on him because he is so flippin cute!! I was the first in the family to hold Aiden when he was born and out of the hospital. He was the best Christmas present for 2008. He was dressed in some candy cane pants and just so tiny. Again, my heart was melted. he looked like a little elf so tiny with his Christmas stuff on. 

That is the elite 8 friends. 

Here is my other real niece and nephew, Britney Abigail and Bayle Austin English. Bayle is a HANDFUL and wild and Brit is just as sweet as pie.

I love them all. Sometimes I forget that the elite 8 comes with 16 hands pulling and pointing, as well as 8 tiny mouths running all at the same time, but I wouldnt trade it for a thing!