Speaking of family heritage . . .

I was just reading through the family blog posts and remembered a conversation I had recently with Kathy that was really pretty funny.  She told me she wanted to ask dad about our Cherokee heritage.  I teased her by saying, "oh, yeah, we have to give you an Indian name!" And, Kathy said dryly, "what'll my name be, fat girl running?"  I cracked up and said that my name would be "fat girl sitting!" Too funny and oh so sisterly. Glad there is room in the Icenogle tee pee for everyone. Of course, our tee pee has running water, a spa, a heater, a/c, refrigerator, pillows, quilts and (my favorite) a place to tee PEE!!!

Hi Family - A year later and it still sounds so good to write and say that! All the posts, flowers, love this weekend over "Found You" day has been amazing. Mom hasn't stopped smiling yet, I don't think. And then to top it off with a Skype session with Jan, complete with a house tour of mom lugging the laptop around - amazing! I think "Found You" day is the next national holiday/Hallmark event. I can see the cards in Target already...just waiting for Whitney there to pick them up - hahaha!

I can't believe it was a year ago all this happened - it feels like forever. I remember I was babysitting and Julie was somewhere and Meg was taking a nap so when she woke up she had a screaming, hysterically happy family and 3 new aunts and uncles, new grandparents and a gazillion new cousins + husbands + kids...awesome! We too feel so lucky and warm and blessed and loved to have been taken in and embraced by all of you. Just amazing. We never had girl cousins our age so that' s been amazing - and ones that like all the same things we do...bonus! - and to have close aunts and hear mom talk about her "sisters" and a Nana who is just the best...we're so lucky! Things could have turned out a lot differently - at least one of you could have been a movie star or Oprah or something...haha, I kid - so we are all just so lucky. What a treat.

Here's to many, many, many more "Found You" days. And lots more Skype sessions too!!!

Get yer Skype on already!

Hey, sisters . . . it's time to get to Skyping!  Katie set Kathy up and Ashley's Chris set me up and we just talked for nearly an hour looking at each other on the computer screens - FOR FREE!  Such fun!  Kathy carried the laptop with the camera around her home so I could see everything and I totally feel like I was just there having tea with Kathy.  We think that more than one person can be on Skype at the same time, so get Skype set up (Karen, Sue we mean YOU) and let's connect via cyberspace.  My Skype address is: jantilton55 and Kathy was using Katie's, which was katie.kindelan.  Kathy says hers will be: kathykindelan49. 

Love and miss you all madly, Jan

Happy "Found Ya" Day!

Hi family,
Happy "Found Ya" Day!!! Mom just explained to me that today is the day we found Kathy. Such a happy day. I can't believe it has only been a year! It feels like the Kindelan's have been part of this family for much longer than that - in a very good way.
The day my mom called to tell me we found "the mystery sister" it was unbelievable. We had been wondering about Kathy for so many years and praying we would find her for so long, and suddenly, there you were on the phone. Mystery solved and hole filled. Great day. Who knew that in finding Kathy with would find such an amazing family and gain more girl cousins and another fabulous uncle?! It really is a modern day miracle.
So, to Kathy, Kevin, Julie, Megan, and Katie: I am so incredibly glad to have the five of you in my life. You make this family complete and bring such joy. Thank you for bringing the whole Icenogle family much closer together. You all joining the family brought me much closer to my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I now have a very soft spot on my heart for Texas because of our family reunions. You five are a blessing and have taught me things about my own interests. Katie, Megan, and Julie, I love that you all love magazines and politics and academics. Meeting you three and talking about those topics made me feel I had found kindred family spirits and brought me joy. :)
Love you all,
Carrie

Hello Out There!

Well, my life is just not too exciting. I eat, sleep, work, and repeat (not necessarily in that order). Sigh! But the weather is better. It's cooling off. My street (culdasac) is having a big garage sale next weekend. So we are busy getting junk out to be sold! Yes, we have stuff we will never use. This time we will be the sellers. Usually we are the buyers. Steve will be so good at this. He is experienced in selling. He could sell ice to Eskimos. Steph is getting more hours at Michaels. She got a raise. Her store manager (who likes her) is trying to set her up for manager training. She isn't interested. Sigh! Joe wants to buy a house, not to live in, but for investment. Ugh! He says his money in the bank isn't collecting enough interest. We may never have the blessed "empty nest." Steve is getting stuff ready for the sale. I am getting ready for our first round of parent conferences at school. It's always interesting to meet the parents of my students. It helps me understand so much, even what I probably shouldn't know. Hee, hee! Hang in there oh wonderful sisters! I'm so glad that we are now four. It feels like our family is complete! Yeah! Love, Karen

So What's new

Hi All,

Have you been looking at your calendars? It has been nearly a year since you found us and we barged into your lives. It has been a wonderful year for us. So many questions answered. i learned why I look the way I do and i love that there are people who resemble me and our girls. You have all been so gracious and welcoming. We truly appreciate it!

Dad filled me in on some Cherokee heritage stories when i spoke to him last week. He was cute saying that his dad was a great storyteller soi who knows if the stories were true or not, but they are good stories!

Katie just got back from an amazing weekend at Canyon Ranch with Megan and 2 friends. It sounds like we would like it there. i am just saying...

Our days are filled with appts, reading, writing (for her), chatting, TVs new season for our talk shows, and getting to know my iPhone. That's been fun. I just made some yummy granola, and my favorite chai mix. I poached a chicken and made chicken soup. Tomorrow I will make chicken salad and chicken enchiladas from the rest of the chicken. Not working does allow more time for cooking!!

Kevin and I went to Lake Louisa, a state park about 45 minutes away on Saturday. It was pretty. We picnicked overlooking the lake. It was nice, but Siesta Key is way better!! Watching people camp in this heat is amazing to me. Why, I ask. Why?

Thanksgiving is coming. Always room for a few more!! Beach sand in your turkey-mmmm!!

That's the news from Winter Haven. Kevin and Katie say hey!

Love you all,

Kathy

Well, aren't we just a bunch of quiet sisters!

Where the heck is everybody?  I want postings and I want them now! What are you all doing out there anyway?  A think a brief synopsis of your week is sufficient; weekly.  Here's mine:

Work
Work
Gym
Sore knee
Work
Gym

Sore back

Work

THE WEEKEND!!!

Pedicure with Ash

LONG NAP!!!!

Church (stories from the man cave now)

Sunday is coming!!!

I love my sisters.