We drove to Woodville, Ohio
today to visit with my nephew, Jacob, and his wife, Samantha (Sam). They are
brand new foster parents to a six-year-old child. Jacob is the son of Todd (my
baby brother) and Cindy. He is from February to October younger than Megan. We virtually
attended Jacob and Samantha’s wedding in October 2020. Our very first virtual
wedding!
Their yard extends down to
the local river. The area is rural though they have neighbors. At one time,
Samantha’s grandfather owned 100 acres of land but sold the land across the
road to fund another purchase. Her grandparents have passed on. Samantha and
Jacob purchased her grandfather’s house and have renovated most of it, it is a
work in progress. The work they have done is impressive. Her parents live next
door and her brother and his family live in a home across the road.
After dinner we all headed
down to the river, Jacob, Joe, and child walked. Samantha and I took the gator down.
Their backyard next to the river is a beautiful, lush green area with a slider bench,
a picnic table, a tree swing, and a hammock. Everyone loaded into the Gator,
and we drove around the property. The tour included a field where the family
walks every evening – a 30-minute walk. They generally walk the path that goes
around the perimeter of land that is in a flood zone. In the flood zone her father
planted wildflowers at the front of the property and then a variety of trees to
the back half of the property. Samantha believes her father planted the trees to
extend the woods that back up to the land.
The land also includes
working and closed oil wells which the family sells. The other family product
is maple syrup. Samantha gifted us a bottle of syrup!
Jacob and Samantha have
jobs that allow them to work from home part of the week. Jacob is business
relations specialist for an organization that works with adults with
disabilities helping them to get the skills and on the job training for
employment and works with the employer partners. Samantha is an accountant and
works with several organizations. She is also a fabulous baker with a specialty
in gluten free desserts. We had the pleasure of tasting her cupcakes at Caity
and Hunter’s wedding in July 2021.
After we got back to the
cottage, my friends Ginger and Kim from Woodland joined in with me on a video
chat. It was exactly what my mental health required – quite a bit of laughter. I
love my tribe.
Tomorrow will be another
day of visiting a few cousins and then time with my niece, Courtney (Jacob and
Caity’s older sister) and her four children. We plan to create-your-own-pizzas for
dinner with Courtney and kiddos.
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