finally got in touch w the relatives last night thus we are set to head down to arkansas tomorrow.
it's been ages since i've been there...i think the last time i was there was when i was about 9. my brother went back in the summer of '98 and got to spend time with the relatives, fishing, hunting, going out on the 4wheelers and whatnot. i don't think we'll get to do all that (maybe some fishing) this time since many of the relatives are older now and with families. we were thinking we'd spend a week down there but maybe we'll just stay until wed. we'll see. it'll be nice to go away (other than across the river to mn) and do something different. i know my mom has been wanting to go down for a while now and we can finally take some vacation!
i remember living down there when we were kids and it was the best thing/time ever! then again, i didn't have to worry about anything. i had family who luved me and was cared for at all times. there was nothing to cry about--unless one of my bro's beat me up or i got knuckled for spilling milk or something. i do have to say though, of all my relatives my arkansas relatives r some of the nicest ppl i've ever met in my life! they not only helped babysit my siblings and i but they truly luved us unconditionall y. they have big and caring hearts and they were always supportive and encouraging. never did they speak badly about my family and i or anyone else for that matter. they luved giving hugs and their soft voices always brought smiles to us kids. i always thought the southern twang in their hmong was so cool--i still think it is. i'm actually somewhat saddened though born in arkansas i never developed the twang in my speech. regardless, we adored them all and when we moved to WI we missed them dearly.
*sigh* now, i just hope we don't kill each other on this 14hr drive down.
