Those who know me, know how much I love my nieces and nephews. As each one joined the "Layne" family, it was my responsibility to spoil them rotten!! Isn't that what aunts are to do??? As I got older, I realized that my "biological" clock was running out and that "my children" would be the children of my brothers and sisters-in-law! I also counted the students I had in the classroom as "my kids!" I did end up with a step-son whom I love, as well as his family, very much!
These seven were the seven I could never have!! No I wasn't always there when they were sick, going through the growing pains, or even on all their celebration - but I loved them and worried about them as much as if I were there! (Still do!) I pray that they would go through life the way God would have them to, and that they will always be happy and thankful for all they had!
I came across these pictures - the older ones - several weeks ago and thought it would be great to have an updated version!!! But getting all of them together is not an easy task. Their work schedules, family obligations, and the distances they live away from me always seemed to keep a gathering difficult to plan. But, on Saturday, December 17, they ALL managed to come in and see their Mammaw at the same time! Ahhhh, Aunt Sue was going to be ready with the camera!!! Here in the last six or seven years, the only time the cousins were together was when someone close to them all passed away. I really wanted them to get together at least once not because of the passing of another family member. I wanted it to be about all of them enjoying one another as they did when they were younger!! I also wanted Mom to be able to see them all and enjoy it as well!!!
They all converged in on the small house on Virginia Avenue! Mom had no clue they were coming in! My two brothers (Dink and Mike), three sisters-in-law (Rhonda, Laurie, and Debbie), along with my nieces and nephews and their families surprised Mom and gave her the best Christmas present ever! It was a great day - so many stories of things they had done in the past; so many stories that made us all laugh; and so many stories that included Dad and John! All happy memories that bond us together as a family forever.
The following pictures are my "Then and Now" pictures. The then pictures were taken approximately 25 years ago . . . my, my, where has the time gone! I love these "kids" so much!! The last picture is one of my great nieces and nephews - all who live up North in the state of Ohio!!! I wish I were closer so I could spoil them too!!!
This picture was actually taken on January 22, 1989 - mine and John's 39th birthday!
left - right: Meghan, Dawn, Lindsay, JD, Billy, Todd, and Bobby.
December 17, 2011 at Mom's
back to front: Billy, Lindsay, Bobby, Meghan, Mom, JD, Dawn, and Todd; Dink is sitting in the chair on the left.
"My" boys in the front yard at Mom and Dad's - the line-up left to right: Billy, JD, Bobby, and Todd
Billy, JD, Bobby, and Todd
"My girls" sitting on my bed at Mom's - left to right: Meghan, Dawn, and Lindsay.
Meghan, Dawn, Lindsay
Oh they were not happy with Aunt Sue on this day! I stopped their playing to take a picture - just love how they cooperated! :)back row - left to right: JD, Bobby, Todd, and Lindsay
front row - left to right: Dawn, Meghan, and Billy
(in their defense, the sun was shining brightly that day - thus the looking down and shielding their eyes)
Standing - left to right: JD, Bobby, Meghan, Todd, Lindsay, and Billy;Sitting - Dawn
Love the smiles!
This is a picture of the great-nieces and nephews sitting with Mom!
left to right: Courtney, Gavin, Alex, Aaron, Emily, Caleb, Mom, Brooke, Jenna, and Allie G
I love "my kids" so much!!!! Even though I am only "Aunt Sue," "Aunt Soup," and "Suebee," I feel as if they are like my own!!!!!
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