War Babe - Adoption story continued - part 17

It is Friday the 13th of April.  On Wednesday, I received a text from my bio-Uncle Rick to say that his son would be here in San Antonio on Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning.  I have not met any of my bio father's family, and as I have said, all have welcomed me with more than open arms, still a bit overwhelming. 

 So Rick gave his son, Gary, my phone number and Gary contacted me when he arrived in SA.  We decided to meet up on Thursday.  I got a text yesterday (Thursday, April 12th) to meet them for lunch.  He had come here to pick up his son from basic training that was done here at Ft Sam Houston.  

I drove up and Gary was waiting on the curb of the restaurant for me!  I met him, his wife, his little girl, his son and his son's girlfriend!  After we sat down we started talking and kept talking until it was time to go.  It was family day for his son and he had planned to spend the afternoon with him, and also letting his daughter swim in the hotel pool.  

I felt so excited and happy to meet my first cousin!  His dad has been the person I have talked most with mostly on Facebook Messenger. The most giddy I felt was when he said that I reminded him of his Uncle Russ (my birth father), especially around the eyes!  If you arent adopted, you may say, "I don't know what is so exciting about that!"  But believe me, I was thrilled beyond belief to hear that.  

I feel that we still have so much to say to each other, he has many memories of his Uncle Russ, as he was his favorite relative.  I want to tell the whole family my story and I want to hear theirs.  The one thing I really regret, is that I didn't take any pictures!  I so wanted a picture of Gary and I together!!  Well, hopefully, I can get those pictures this summer.  So here is a picture of him that I had.  Isn't he just the cutest!???  

We are still sort of planning a trip to Kentucky in August, however, two things have occurred in the last couple weeks.  First we had to pay way more IRS taxes than we thought and may not have the money to make the trip. Second, my husband is encouraging me to go alone.  He wants to meet them, but doesn't really have interest in sitting around listening to us just talking away  I also am dying to go fishing with them and my husband isn't even interested in that!  So it looks like I may be going alone, flying up there and staying with some of my birth family.  That way we would not need as much money.  Although, it is sad to go way up there and NOT attend the Bristol race which occurs Aug 18th.  I guess we can plan another trip up there next summer and attend that race then, God willing!  

Adopted - War Babe - Part 16 - Getting to Know my Bio Family and Planning a Trip to Meet Them

I continue to text a few of my bio family. My half brother, Tim, my cousin, Robin and Deb (sisters) my uncle Don and my uncle Rick.  It is fun getting to know them as real people!  Also, they keep sending me pictures of family members.  I am more grateful than they will ever know that they are doing this!  My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to meet many of my bio family in August.  We are huge NASCAR fans too, and so one of my bucket list races is the night race in Bristol, Tennessee.  We cannot travel that far and NOT go to that race, which by the way is in August!  We are still trying to work out the logistics of the race and visiting my bio relatives however, so we aren't quite sure when we will be there.  BUT, the race is the night of August 18th, so for sure we will be there for the race at that time. Just not sure if we will go to Kentucky before or after the race!  I am getting very excited for both reasons!  I cant wait to meet everyone, although since we don't seem to be able to stay on a Saturday, not sure we will get to see everyone since they work and we just may not be close enough to where they live to see them.  That makes me sad, but it is what it is.  Money and time away are the issues here!!
Here are some of the pictures I have been blessed to have:

My birth father is on the far right, and the rest of these great folks are my Uncles and an aunt. All but the back two are gone now.  Uncle Don and Uncle Rick. 

These folks are my grand parents!  Not sure which boy is with them, but I am told I look very much like my Granny Tackett! :)  That does make me smile!