Family Fun

The Shaw Clan

(Minus Morgan, Gordon, Jr., Melissa, Janna and Julia)

The Clark Clan

(Minus Ross)

The David Clark Clan The BEAUTIFUL Clark Children ;)Jon enjoying a little pool time!

It's been since Taylor's wedding in 2007 that ALL of the Clark/Shaw Family got together..........sad, I know! BUT..........on Saturday, we were able to get all but two nephews, one spouse, one niece and two adorable little girls together. Getting a family of our size together is never easy, but always worth the effort!! From the pictures above, you can see the fun had by all!

The initial reason for the gathering was for a book my sister-in-law is writing on the lives of my mother and grandmother. She wanted to get together with as many family members as possible in order to interview everyone for stories, memories, etc., of these two women who influenced our lives. We are all so excited that she is taking on this project and are extremely proud of her for being awarded a grant from Duke University to write it. My mother was raised by her mother and grandmother after the death of her father when she was only 11 years old, and the letters, scrapbooks, diaries she kept weave a most interesting tale of growing up as a true southern belle. In addition, the letters and postcards that my grandmother kept over a five year period from my grandfather in the early 1900's reveal a love story filled with issues that parallel many modern-day romances--advertisity, jealousy, doubt, insecurity, distance, ultimatums, and at least one break-up in which each had other romantic flings, but underneath it all a love too strong to be denied and a reconciliation and marriage. AHH! Good stuff! I can't wait to see the finished product!!! We are truly blessed to have her tackle this project and have their story come together.

I guess it takes growing older to really appreciate family, or maybe it just takes maturity. Either way, I know that without the love and support I have received over the years from my parents, siblings, spouse, children, and all of our extended family, I would not have grown to be the woman I am today. I thank God every day for blessing me with such an amazing group of people that I am so proud to call MINE.