Old fogeys and hippies (hehe)

I didn't even write about how awesome TJ's birthday party was Sunday (yes, her birthday is today, but it being a weeknight and with her having p.t. this afternoon we just decided to have it Sunday). It was the first time since Erin's first birthday party (almost 2 years ago) that my parents & Kelly and Ed's parents & Kat were all together in the same house--and the first time ever that we all had a meal together (Erin's party was mostly just cake and presents). Ed and I were a little nervous. It's not that our families don't get along, it's just that there's so much potential for them to not get along because they are sooooo different. Tom and Lynda are very old fashioned, traditional, and conservative. They only listen to gospel music, they only watch the food network and HGTV, they only vote Republican, and they consider darn and heck dirty language. And I just love them! They're sweet and easygoing, their home is pleasant and relaxing, and they're awesome grandparents. My parents on the other hand are eccentric, free spirited and liberal. They listen to oldies, disco, reggae, they watch My Name is Earl, they don't use the "R" word, and their vocabularies include some 4-letter words--particularly my dad who launches F-bombs daily. But I love them too. They're my mom and dad, I respect them, and theyr'e great grandparents too (albeit rather non-traditional ones). So I wasn't sure how Sunday dinner would go--I was just hoping everyone would try to get along for the sake of TJ's birthday that we were celebrating. I was hoping my dad would keep his conversations rated PG and that Lynda wouldn't start bragging about her step-mom getting to see George W. Bush. Thankfully, the day went wonderfully. Our parents got along--no outbursts or snide comments from either side--and TJ was very happy. It was a day that just made me feel so very, very blessed to have such a wonderful family and so much happiness and love in our lives.