Growing Up Together Haines/Barber Style

 

Oh the memories this picture brings back and the lives that have unfolded through these smiles. These are the Haines and Barber kiddos back in the day. Who knew that Brittney and Cam would grow up to marry and blend our two families with four beautiful grandkids? 

I love the memories of Natalie kicking Tim with her cast as she played with him in the sandbox she was not supposed to be in. The doctor just shook his head when he removed her cast ast all the sand that spilled out. Bethany was Natalie's baby and when she was born Natalie just knew her three year old self should be the only one to care for her......poopy diapers and all. Britt fell for Ryan's call to come quick because our cat had delivered her kittens. Talk about crying wolf. More than once she screamed up on her bike only to see Taxi Cat still with child/kittens. She did however help him find those kittens that Taxi had birthed in a neighbors boat a few blocks away. They had to use super sleuth skills to track her back to the kittens then sneak in the backyard and move the boat cover before scooping the kittens up. Cam was there for Tim to get his shots at the doctor. Both Tim and Tanner were terrified of needles. A great big bear hug from Cam kept Tim from running out the door when the time came for a poke. Tanner just fainted dead away. He even fainted when Natalie got poked. So we left him in the waiting room but even then he passed out just thinking of her pain. 

Decades have passed since these kiddos sat at this table together. Ryan left us too soon and the others are all in their thirties except little Bethany. Each of them have kids of their own except our Tanner who is not quite ready for that next adventure. Julie Haines and I share four sweet grandkids. Ron and I are blessed with seven.  They range from seventeen to four months old. What a gift the lives and loves or our two family hold. I am thankful that Todd and Julie and Ron and I can come together to enjoy our combined family and reminisce on the childhoods our children shared. There may be a few stories our kids would prefer we don't share with our grandkids but that is what grandparents are about. Besides it is so much fun to see them squirm.

In Him,

Joyful

1-8-22