Hold on, Spider monkey!

So everyone knows about the pecan tree thats in the front yard. The one that is the source of money in the fall, acts as a second player in volleyball, is the place where everyone meets in case of a fire. Well, since I was, I don't know, 9-10 years old, I have always wanted to climb that tree. I would stare at that tree, seeing the perfect hand holds and foot holds sticking out, and think, " One day, one day I will climb that tree." I would try and try, reachnig up, and grabbing the limbs, but I was never tall enough and couldn't pull myself up. Well that changed today. I went out there, rope in hand, at noon. I tied the rope around those stubby limbs, and hoisted my self up. Slowly I worked my way around to the fork in the tree, and sat down. Then I stayed like that for three hours, enjoying my accomplishment. I finally scaled the great giant. Since three, I have been going up and down the tree over and over, perfecting my climb. I now can climb like a spider monkey up the tree. All I need now is some boards, nails, and food, and I could live up there. I looked like I was an extreme tree hugger, stradling the tree limbs. Here are some pictures.

Camp-out

So yesterday I went on a camp-out with the troop. We went over to Florence Marina State Park and Providence Canyon State Park. We got there and then went around and explored the Marina.After that, we went and set up camp and then prepared our dinner. We had fresh fish brother Thibault had recently caught. And when I say fresh, I mean with scales, guts, and everything. We learned how to scale and clean a fish. It was quite gross. And then it started.
Heavenly water started falling from the sky. It was raining. At first it wasn't bad, and so we went to the campsite and got the fire going. Once the fire got going, we prepared the second part of our dinner. We had hobo dinners, which is meat, with vegetables mixed in, wrapped in tin-foil. All you have to do is just wait for 15 minutes, and you have a perfectly cooked peice of meat. While we were waiting for our food to cook, Bro. Burns was frying the fish we cleaned. After everything was done cooking, we ate, and boy did we eat. The food was great, better than some food you get in resteraunts. After that, the rain really started coming down. We went out and was playing in the rain, but after a little bit it was getting to cold for everyone but me. I took my shirt off and kept playing in the rain. Although, because of serious back problems I'm suffering through right now, I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted. Oh, by the way, this brings up one of my pet peeves. At the park, every wherever you look, all you could see was white. Big white things with wheels and windows, and satellites sticking out of roofs. That's right, im talking about RVs. Gosh I hate those things. No, actually I hate the people that use those things. They say they're camping, but all they are doing is staying in a temporary home. Seriously, why do people even buy houses, when they have RVs? That is not camping, that is luxury hobo living. I thought of all this when I was sitting on the back of the truck looking in the window of a person's RV, trying to figure out what they were watching on TV. (By the way, it was the news.) So after we spent some time out in the rain, I decided to finally go to sleep. It was 8:30ish, and because of my back, I couldn't really do anything, so i got changed and was ready to lay down. That's when I realized I didn't have my sleeping bag. I didn't even have a blanket. So I had to curl up on the hard dirt, and use my bag as a pillow. It didn't work well. So I was lying down for about three hours or so, never fallnig asleep, when it really got exciting. Two of the scouts got a little wet surprise when they climbed in to bed. At about that time, the rain was coming down hardest, and it ended up getting under their tent. Everything they had was completely soaked! I was lucky and got a spot that stayed completely dry. When we took the tents down in the morning, there was a big rectangle of dry ground under where I slept. They ended up getting Bro. Thibault's tent, and Bro. Thibault slept in his truck. I had been thinking about getting in the truck or in the Scout trailer, but never did. So from 12:30 to about 3:00 it was kinda quiet and I think I dozed off a little bit then. But that was the only sleep I got. At 3:30 or so, I kept rolling around trying to be comfortable, but just couldn't. So I decided I would go out and make a fire, and just sit out there. So I grabbed my knife and fire starter, put on my hats (note the plural) and put on my three pairs of socks. I walked outside, and Bro. Thibault was out there too. We got the fire started, and then sat in front of the fire for a little bit. After a while, Bro. thibault got up and climbed into his truck again, and went to sleep. So I curled up and closed my eyes, hoping to fall asleep, but evertime I did I had this overpowering urge that something was right behind me, and I couldn't fall asleep. So from about 4:00 to 7:30, the onlything I did was wait for the sun to finally rise. After everyone was awake, we ate our breakfast, and prepared to leave. I walked into the restroom building,(which is also a laundromat, so sickening) and discovered Heaven. There right against the wall, was a huge, very cushiony couch. I could of come in there and gone to sleep. I was upset, to say the least. So after that, we left and went to Providence Canyon, and spent some time walking the trails, and exploring. Then we left and finally headed for home. Needless to say, I slept the whole way.

Bloody mess

Well, as you porbably haven't heard, or you might, I wouldn't know I hurt myself Tuesday morning. It was at the beginning of Weight training, and Coach had us run a lap. Since it was football day, when didn't have a time limit. I was walking down, and then this kid runs by and says," Haha, I'm going to beat you!" Of course, I Jed Seaman, had to take the challenge. I never allow myself to give up a challenge. So I took off, running on the balls of my feet. He was about twenty feet ahead, but I was able to catch up to him quickly. We full out ran, heading for the stairs. We reached the stairs still running, and he jumped to avoid the ditch. Since he jumped, I had no where to go except to run through the ditch. So I stepped so that I could run up the hill through the ditch, when my foot landed on a slick spot of grass. I slipped, still going extremely fast. I fell and skidded across the concrete. I rolled over a stood up, laughing and my mis-step. Thats when I noticed that there was a hole in my knee. The hole was about a half centimeter deep, two centimeters long, and about half a centimeter wide. I could see the white flesh under my skin. I poked it to see if it was a hole, and it was. I didn't feel anything, and it hadn't started bleeding yet, so I figured it was fine. But then it did start to bleed. It never bled a lot, just enough to cover the wound. I went to the bathroom, looking for paper towels, but there were none, so I settled on toilet paper. I went to the coach and should him, and he sent me to the nurse. She looked at it and said it probably would need stitches. Around that time is when it finally started hurting. It was burning like crazy, like someone had a hot knife in my knee. She was cleaning it, and what was funny was that, I saw her rubbing stuff on my leg, but I never felt it. After she put the antibiotic ointment on, she put on some butterfly bandages to hold it closed, and wrapped it up. I then had to leave the bandage on for 2 days, and couldn't take it off, even for showers! It was horrible. So all in all, I was pretty lucky. As a famous person would say, "It's just a flesh wound!" I still haven't gone to the hospital for anything serious. If I had to say what the worst part of the whole experience was, I would have to say, taking off the bandages. That was twice as worse as getting the wound. This is one of the times I kinda wish that it will scar. I have this thing about scars. I think they are cool, unless they're from something stupid, but never want to intentionally get a scar. of course, if I did scar everytime I got hurt, I probably would have scars all over the place. But anyway, I just wanted to keep ya up to date, so bye.

Summer Vacation

Well, here it is. You guys have all been waiting patiently and impatiently for my trip to Canada. For those of you who didn't know, I went into the Atlantic Providences of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. This post is coming straight from my journal, because that's the best way to remember. So here it goes, my trip to Canada:

June 13, 2008

So, I know I haven't written in a while. I should though, so much has happened since last time. Right now I am in Canada!! Finally out of the country!! Too bad the way through wasn't too good. (By the way, I'm with the Thibaults, surprise. The boys are driving me crazy, but I'm still sane.) So anyway, we started on our trip on like the 8th. We rode all the way to Tennessee and visited the Stephens. (We got there at half past one.) The next day, I played Super Smash Bros. Brawl, one of the best games ever, all day at the Stephens. After that, we rode up to Pennsylvania. I was finally heading to the last place in the Contiguous U.S. I have not been to. We stayed in a hotel there. Also on our way through Penn. I had to take a little detour that ended us up driving through the middle of nowhere just for me to go pee on a bush. After Penn., we rode up through New York and all those states. By the way, from Tennessee to New York, in the Appalachians, everything is so green. And there were huge houses. And other giant things, like a cross that could fit an elevator inside it. Then once we got out of New York and its traffic, it was a smooth (or not so smooth; people can't build roads right in New England,) ride to Rhode Island. Once there, we bunkered down in the Thibaults' grandmother's (or whatever relation they were, it was all confusing) house, and stayed there for a week. And went sightseeing and stuff. We went to Beavertail Is. a little island off the coast of Rhode Island. I got some beautiful sunset shots and rocks for mom there.

I also got my first taste of clams, which I caught myself. We went clamming for quahog clams, a huge native RI clam species, and I was able to catch 9 of the 15 or so that we caught. Mine were the biggest of them all, and it was my first time. The process of clamming is a very simple process, but can cause pain and needs lots of concentration to do. what you do is walk out into the mud with your bare feet. Careful where you walk though, there might be rocks or sharp shells. you dig your feet down into the mud and feel arond. They are usually a couple inches under. Once you feel one you have to reach down and pull it out. It was fun. Plus it was too cold for jellyfish. after that we got Del's lemonade, the best lemonade in the NE region. That week we also did yard work, during the unreasonably hot heat wave. The whole week temps. were at 99, ridiculous. So anyway, after the week, we prepared to leave. We first headed up into massachussets, and got a tour of Fenway Park, baseball stadium for the Boston Red Sox. By the way, random thought, but I have a problem with too small toilets. Well guess what, I was stuck for a week in a half with not being able to empty my system. It totally messed up all my systems. Anyway, after Mass. We went to Maine, and drove around there. We stopped at this truck stop, that had a restaurant in it. I got a surf and turf dinner. Best steak I ever had!!

I aslo got my first taste of lobster there. It was sweet, but still had little taste. I still choose shrimp. Plus they also had this dessert called an eighteen wheeler, which has 18 scoops of icecream in it. so after that, we stayed at this nice motel, called the Bar Harbor motel (which is pronounced something like Baw Hawbaw; you don't pronounce "r"s in NE region). Then at 4:00 a.m. the next day we got up to see the sunrise on Cadillac Summit in Acadia National Park.

After that, we went down into the town of Baw Hawbaw, and took pictures there.

There was a huge statue of a whale,

a restaurant called the Quarterdeck,

giant house on a hill,


big whale watching boat,

a coast guard ship,


a dock of boats,

a sign for sea sick pills.

Once we got back to the motel, we went back to sleep, woke up, and left. We saw more greenery, and beautiful landscapes. We went and saw the whole Acadia Park, beautiful mountains trees, lakes. We also got to see the only beach in maine, with freezing water, and feet being numb in seconds.

So after that we headed up for Canada, finally, but had some trouble. Bro. Thibault was impatient and tried to get Sis. Thibault to go through Border Customs without checking in. Needless to say, sirens went off. I got a welcome to Canada picture right before the sirens went off. Then I became an unaccompanied minor, because of a forgotten permission letter, and had the car searched, and our walking sticks taken away. First Trip in was a little rough. Once everybody got together, we started driving again. All it was was dirt roads and trees. Still not a single moose seen. Moose crossing signs every five feet, but no moose. There were also many other interesting signs in Canada. They had an old man crossing road sign, a truck crashing into road road sign, and road continues to horizon sign. After the excitement, we got to the Hampton, where i am now, and tomorrow I am going to check out the 80' water slide. So until then.

June 14, 2008

Ok, so once we got up, I tried the slide, it was awesome! So after that, everyone was getting ready to leave, I just rode the elevators 15 or so times, cause I was bored. So after that we rode down to the bay of Fundy, which is a place where the tides are most effected. Tides can move water up to 46'! We went at low tide. It was a huge bay by the way. So much beach is uncovered during lowtide. I mean like miles and miles of mud, literally. the water was so muddy, and the rocks were so brown, everthing looked like chocolate. We thought Fundy might be French for "chocolate", but it means "split" because of how the bay splits as you go along it.

So anyway, we went to this place called Hopewell Rocks, where you can see rock formations made by the tides. You can go down to the beach during low tide and walk there. We, being me and Bro. Thibault, walked the whole area, probably ten miles. We saw some amazing views, like trenches usually covered by water.

After that, we ended up going for a few hours through the middle of nowhere(again), but it was well worth it. We ended up at a place called Cape D'Or, on a pennisula into the Bay of Fundy, where its not muddy. You get to see a current where two tides meet and mix in the water, called the Dory Rips. We are staying in a little cottage next to a lighthouse. We ate ate this little restaurant a few feet from the cottage. We got to eat wonderful fresh food made by Darcy, the owner, Sara, and Andrew. Sara is from Alberta and Andrew is from Australia. Anyway, this place is amazing! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

June 16, 2008

Well, yesterday was an interesting day. Once we got up, we ate bacon and eggs made by Sara and Andrew. But before, I did a little rock climbing and exploring. I found a way down all the way to the water and other stuff. After breakfast we left and went to some other places where the tides change drastically. We went to one place where, at high tide, there is ten foot deep water barring you from getting to an island with a lighthouse. At low tide, however, you can walk all the way to the lighthouse.

We also went to a museum, but it was kind boring. It was part of the musee de la novoulle ecosee. I think that how its spelled. Its supposed to be the Nova Scotia Museum. Afterwards, once we got back, me Sis. Thibault, and Matthew went exploring the cliffs at low tide. So much was uncovered!! It's remarkable!. We had 30 more feet between the land and the water. I was able to go way down cloe to where the current was. We also explored along the flat area and made it quite far. Not as far as we hoped, though. But the best part, was when we went to the right of Shark Fin Rock. This moment I will always hate myself for. Why? Because I forgot to bring my camera, and could of gotten probably a once in a lifetime picture of the beach of Kingdom Come while actually being on the beach. The best picture. Ever. This beach I am talking about, Kingdom Come beach that is completely surrounded by cliff, except for where the water is, making it completely unaccessible, even by swimming. If you try to go there, you end up frozen, drowned, or flattened. But at low tide, and I mean real low tide, there is a gap between the cliffs that is revealed. and yours truly was able to climb that gap and gaze out at the beach, at a perspective I doubt many people see. This would of been the most amazing picture ever. The beach stretched on forever, and rocks rich in copper were lined all down the beach. Its like a movie, when the hero steps over the top of the hill, and he sees paradise. Sadly, we did not actually walk on the beach, because we wanted to explore the other parts, and did not want to get stuck out there with the tide coming in.

So after that we went in for dinner. It was lobster night, but the lobster wasn't that good after a while. Oh yeah, and another time I wished I had my camera with me happened right before dinner. Holly, Bro. Thibault's aunt, was looking out into the water when she spotted a seal. I rushed over, because I had never seen a wild seal before. We watched it, and then I remembered my camera. I ran back to the cottage, with my back pain and all, grabbed the camera, and then rushed over to the Cape's edge. I lost the seal for a second but soon found it. It was heading for the current, and I knew I didn't have much time. I aimed the camera, but because of the confounded camera light sensitivity, everything was showing up white, I couldn't find the seal to zoom in on. It was seconds before the seal would hit the current, and I had to do something. In a split second decision, I ran to the edge and jumped into the water. The seal hit the current at about the same time as me. We took off, reaching 15 mph in the water. The seal was like a torpedo, never slowing down. I kept up with for a could ten minutes. The only way I didn't freeze was because my body was producing so much heat to make my muscles move. Slowly the seal started moving away from me. I knew I had to get a picture fast. So I raised the camera and took the picture. Somehow the camera had survived the whole ordeal. I was close enough to land so that I could get out before my body started cooling down. Needless to say I had soup that night, along with the lobster. This is the picture of the seal.

So, on to today. We didn't get up early like planned because of the fog. We did see a woodchuck, though. Later, when eating lunch, a tremor shock the room, as a blast of noise went off. The fog horn had sounded. I was hoping it would before I left. It was awesome, and loud. After that, we got ready and left. I wish I didn't have to. Im going to miss that place, the food, and the hospitality.

I ended up feeling sick for half of the day. I don't know why. I drank some ginger ale, walked around Wal-Mart, and felt better. Would you believe they didn't have any Canada Dry ginger ale at Wal-Mart? I had to get it out of a cooler in the van. Later, we went to Prince Edward Island, and crossed Confederation Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world. It took forever to get across. I finally bought Jennifer something so I was free to buy things formyself now. Although I keep getting badgered about buying other famile gifts. After a while, we went to the area where boats come in, but its not a dock. I bought this awesome necklace that got me hooked onto another Zodiac, the Celtic. I also bought a soda called Seaman's Beverages. So after that it was boring. Now we are back in New Brunswick, and will be leaving Canada soon. So anyway, I'm getting to bed. Oh yeah, I also saw this random sign, at the Spinnaker's Landing place. It was nailed to the ground.

June 18, 2008

Well, yesterday was our last day in Canada. We went to our last places. One was Moncton, New Brunswick, a place called Magnetic Hill.You can put your car in neutral and the car will go up the hill by itself. What is really happening is that it is actually rolling on a slightly downward plane, but the landscape makes it look like it is going up. There are videos, but they have no sound.
Then we went to the St. John City Market. It was crazy. I bought a new, really comfortable hoody there. I also bought some things at Magnetic hill.

Anyway, today we most just spent time getting back to RI. We have just a few more days before we finally leave for home. It was fun, but I am ready to get back home. And find a decent toilet. Unless we were going back to Cape D'Or. Then I would gladly stay a few more weeks.

And this concludes my trip to Canada. I was in RI, a few more days. Nothing really happened, except we did go to a paw (pawtucket) sox game. I would rather not talk about that though. Its a discrace to my name. Bottom line, we lost.

Hi.

School is in Session

Well, it is finally that time a gain. Tomorrow it is my first day back to school. I'm off to the Ninth Grade, finally starting high school. That also means its time for seminary. Oh how I dread having to get up at 5:45 just so I can go to the place that makes me the most tired. My classes are Weight training, Sapnish(ugh), phys. science, and (another ugh) Anerican Gov't. How fun. I'm pretty nervous but luckily, because of our screwed up school system, Ninth grade is in a building completely by itself, so I know most people there. Well, thats pretty much it. once school starts I probably won't be posting as often, or I might be posting even more who knows. Anyway, talk to yall later.

Tag! Your it!

Ok, its been a while and I was reading though the blogs when I realized that I had been tagged. So hear it goes.
How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names....

3 Joys 1. Books 2. Knives 3. Bouncy Balls
3 Fears1. Caterpillars 2. Clowns 3. really old people
3 Goals1. Move to Ireland 2. Travel the world 3. Become Marine Biologist/Veterinarian
3 Current obsessions/collections1. Mario Cart Wii 2. Cheesy Cartoons 3. More Mario Cart
3 Random surprising facts about myself 1. The first time I saw a luggage trolley was in a hotel up in Canada. 2. I always start sing Seize the Day when I step into the shower 3. I really like Mango Carrot drinks

This is like a chain letter. You get it many times, and it tells you to send it to a certain number of people, and you know that they have already got it ten times, but yet, you send it anyway so... Helen, Mom, Eileen, Momma V, and I guess Jen, you are IT!!!

Jokes

Hey everybody, what do you get when a seagull flys over a bay?

Camp

Well, my week was one experience every boy needs to become a man. SCOUT CAMP! So anyway, last saturday, I left for scout camp. It was a seven-in-a-half hour drive up to Woodruff Scout Reservation in Northern Georgia. Once we got there the week began. We slept on cots in tents. We ate in a non air conditioned dining hall. and we went to the bathroom in a hole in the ground. Other than that, and all of the walking, it was pretty fun. I got the Enviromental Science and Emergency Preparedness merit badges, both required for Eagle, and got the Horsemanship merit badge, which meant I got to ride a horse. I also got to learn how to water ski, but did not get that merit badge. I still have two more requirements, so if anyone could hook me up, that would be great. I went whitewater rafting, and that was fun. I also played some Ultimate Frisbee. All in all, it was fun, but I'm so glad to be back home. Plus I'm away from all of the complaining, laziness, and disobedience of two certain people. So that was pretty much it. My thoughts seem pretty jumbled but thats only because I'm really tired, but too bored to go to sleep. Anyway, my canada trip should be coming soon.

Surprise!

Ok, so today for the last day of school, we had this Olympic Day event for everyone who passed or exceeded the CRCT. It was a bunch of different events like a tennis ball relay and wheel chair relay. So after all of the events they had a faculty vs. student basketball game. The students were actual players on the school team by the way. So anyway, after the game, everyone was getting ready to leave, when Dr. Gravitt, the principal, walked up to the microphone. I figured he was just calling out to tell some kid to check out. So it came as a big surprise when he called my name. I was thinking of everything I had done the past week to see if I had broke any rules. I walked up to him with the most confused look I have ever had. He hands me the mike and the starts taking off a jersey he had on when he was playing basketball. I was very shocked. Then, surprise, he hands me the jersey and takes the mike back. I thought I was confused before. He puts his arm around me and then annouced that I was recieving the jersey because I had the highest overall score out of the whole school on the CRCT. The jersey he gave me was an autographed Harlem Globetrotters jersey. Talk about surprised! On my way back to my seat, I had to walk by all of the Basketball players. They were awed. Evryone wanted to see it. Rest assured, I am going to wash the jersey then frame it. How bout that for the last day of school. I just wished it wasn't on the very last day because I would love to be able to brag to all my friends. Oh Well, it was real exciting.

Honor's Night

Well, Wednesday night I had Honor's Night. It was ok, if a little boring. I got Superior Honor, of course, and also got three team awards. I got the Math award, Ga. History award, and the Creative Writing award. Sadly, I missed out on Valedictorian. That went to two girls, shocking, who were also on the Math Team. I was real nervous about the announcement. Many people, including me, were hoping it would be me. But oh well. Well, that's about it.

Math Team

Well, today the Eighth Street Math Team went to Valdosta State University to compete in a Math Tournament with other teams in the region. It was me and three other girls against twenty other teams. Our team got top five out of twenty, and one of our teamates got fourth out of 80 other 8th graders.

Pool Time!

Well, the pool is know officially opened. I have taken my swim and confirmed it ready. With a little more cleaning, if will look brand new and ready for anything Summer throws at it.

Ten things starting with T

This is in response to Jennifer's play along post.

1. Treats
2. Trebuchets
3. Travelling
4. Tater Tots
5. Trees
6. Tops
7. Troposphere
8. Two-story house
9. Tom and Jerry
10. Temperatures that are cold

I am requesting another letter.

Philosophical Genius

Boredom

What is Boredom? Is it a feeling, a chance, a distraction? It is all those, and so much more.

When you are bored, you have nothing to do. This is Boredom's first meaning, as an absence. An absence of things to do. Most people only this meaning, but there is so much more to it. Boredom is not only an absence of things, but a thing itself. This is Boredom's second meaning. It is a time that occurs after one thing is ended and another begins. It is a recurring thing, something marked by spaces on your calender. It is a difference between doing something and not doing anything.

Most people think of Boredom as something bad. It's connatation is usually negative, but is being bored truly bad? No, being bored is what influences people. Boredom is a motivation. It causes geniuses to think, architects to build, and painters to create. Where would we be if the Wright brothers were busy painting the house instead of being bored and causing them to think and dream? Or if Henry Ford was growing a garden? We would be taking days and wasting time just to get across the state. Boredom provides people with time to think, wonder, and create with their minds and motivates them to put their ideas to work.

However, sometimes Boredom can be bad, but not the way people think of it. Most people see Boredom as a symbol of laziness or slack. No, that is not why Boredom is bad. Boredom is bad because of it's motivation, ironically. Along with being creative, it can also be destructive, and not only to the one person but to many others, also. Boredom can drive a man crazy, to the point where he destroys himself. Or it can drive a man to do something dangerous and even deadly, just to take up time.

So in all, Boredom is much more than what was thought. Boredom is way more than a feeling, it is a time, a creative and destructive motivation, and an absence.

Hi

Hey, this is my first post on my new blog. Everyone in the family has one... You know how it goes. So I was bored, and decided to write some stuff and wanted to let the whole family see, so that's why I decided to get a blog. Well, anyway, I guess I'll introduce myself even though ya'll should know who I am. My name is Jedidiah, part of the Seaman- Cattell family, I'm 14 (Yes!) years old, love reading, writing stories, animals, and my neices and nephew. I grew up surrounded by girls with only a few guys to keep me sane. Have five other siblings, one who died when I was young. They are, by age, Jennifer, David, Helen, Matthew, me, then Timothy (he was the one who died.) Because Timothy left, I am still the youngest and I didn't have a younger brother to mold and shape to my liking. So, instead, Igot two little neices, Madeline and Isabella.The only problem is, they're girls. No shaping possible. Then later, I got two more surprises, neices number 3 and 4, Estella and Amelia. Again, all I had were girls and no boys at all. Then in 2006, I got a wonderful gift. By this time I was tired of girls, so it was great when little Nathan came along. Finally a boy to play with! And since I was older, I could influence him more. Then last year, I recieved more news. Two more children on the way! I could not believe what I heard. I all ready had five neices and nephew, and now two more! I was excited all the way up until they were born, that's when I found out what they were. You guessed it, they were girls. Gretchen and Samantha. I was upset and depressed at the fact that I now had more girls in my life. But that changed right when I saw them. I looked at their faces and there was no way I could be mad. They were just to cute! So now I have 6 neices and poor Nathan. I still hope for more nephews, and I'm sure Nathan does too. So that's a look at immediate family. My aunt's and uncles follow pretty much the same pattern on my mom's side. I have two aunts, Carol and Susan, and one uncle, Jim. Aunt Carol has one son, Corey. Aunt Susie has two children, Travis and Sarah. All three are grown adults now. Uncle Jimmy has three children; Allyson 19, Tabitha 17, and Caitlin 8. I also have other cousins on my mom's side. There are two girl cousins my age, Merinda and Baleigh, Carson and Taylor, their little brothers respectively, three girls cousins who live in Missouri, and other numerous generation cousins.On my dad's side I only know of Uncle George. He has children but we never see them. Then I have the grandparents, Jim and Hazel Cattell. They are on mom's side. On dad's side, it was Lawrence and Mildred, but I never knew them. Jim and Hazel are still alive. Finally we come to the in-laws. There is James, married to Jennifer, Ryan married to Helen, and Eileen, married to David. By the way, Madeline and Bella are Jen's and James's; Estella, Amelia, and Gretchen are Dave's and Eileen's; and Nathan and Samantha are Helen's and Ryan's. Continuing, there is also Momma V and Papa Rich. They are Helen's in-laws but I call them that because when I was little, I heard Helen call them that, and the names stuck. So that's a look at my family.