Creating Memories to Share

I had an awesome Friday!

My boyfriend and I took my brother Rhettlee (11 yr old) and sister Jolene (15 yr old) to float the river yesterday. There were a few bickering moments caused by obnoxious sounds belonging to Rhettlee, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I wouldn't have been able to deal with this at all if it hadn't been for my boyfriend who tried to lighten us up at times, throwing Rhettlee into the river playfully when he was on his worst behavior. My boyfriend also supplied the voyager we floated on creatively and skilfully. He called it FrankenRaft because it was an old river raft from the 70's riddled with leaks so he cut out the unusable parts, leaving about 3/4 of a raft with lots of life left in her. He's so creative and hardworking.

http://www.thehelpprogram.com/i-love-boise-video-series/boise-river

My little sister had a good time, she's always wanted to float the river and told me "It took you long enough to ask!" when I asked her to join us. The only problems that involved her were those that also involved driving us there. She is trying to get her drivers license, and it is an understatement to say that she is a horrible driver. Our parents just got her a Volvo, so I suggested we take that and as a consequence we were almost hurled onto the freeway divider as Jolene attempted to look behind her which moved the wheel and almost sent us splattering, and cooking quickly thereafter (it was 100 degrees out!).

By the end of the trip she kept saying, "I'm going to say this as politely as possible, please shut up about my driving. Shut up!" I'm told I was a terrible driver when I was 15 too, but it's hard to remember with accuracy that far back. I do remember my older sister reworking a song on the radio in the car while I was driving. She sang, "Mama tried to teach her how to drive, no one could steer me right but Mama tried" a country song that lightened the mood of my frustration at not being a good driver.

Memories like these, however chaotic they are, will last forever. 

Jolene and I will forever laugh about Rhettlee licking the sauce out of the Chick Fil A packet after the float, or how she couldn't get back on the raft after taking a quick dip in the river... Family, friends and the ways that we can laugh together will always be hugely important. Experiencing fun things together by including my siblings on an adventure, gives so much awesomeness to my life. The tie between people lies in what they go through together, what they share between them. I am so thankful for all of the shared memories I have with my loved ones.