There were some pages that I'd been thinking about in my head and sketching out before I went. I'd been wanting to do a page about Father & Son, to show their love and awe for each other. The week of the retreat I heard the song "Anything like Me" by Brad Paisley and I just knew that the words from that song were a perfect example of Chris & Cameron's relationship - at least in my eyes. Well, in my MIL's, eyes as well since she's been telling us for quite a while now that Chris has the unique opportunity to watch himself grow up because Cameron does so many things just like Chris did at the same age. The line in the song that says "It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me," just went so well. And I agree with the last line especially, "And he'll be alright if he's anything like me." I think Chris has turned out just great, so I think Cam will do just fine too.
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I also wanted to accomplish name pages on this retreat. I wasn't so sure on what the pages were going to look like, more I was interested in what I was going to write on these pages. Both kids have been given special family names. Cameron's middle name of Doyle has been handed down for 4 generations to the first born males in the Jones family.
Maggie's name is special to both sides of our family and I really wanted to capture that on paper for her to read and understand one day. Not only is my grandmother a Margaret "Peggy", Chris' great-grandmother on his dad's side is a Maggie. We also found out, during the naming process that his great-great grandmother (I think that's how many) on his mom's side was a Margaret too.
It's always interesting to me to see how people come up with their children's names, and so often today it seems there is a challenge to come up with the most "creative" spellings as well. Chris and I both feel strong ties to our families and really wanted names for both kids that were strong so they could be lawyers and doctors if they want to, or simple enough that they can be teachers (simple names are easier for little kids to say) or preachers (hehe! I'm rhyming now). Margaret Olivia is a mouthful, but that's why a shorter version of Maggie is perfect for a little girl.
I really felt accomplished at the end of the retreat this month. I was able to complete pages that I'd been thinking about in my head for a while now. It felt so good to get those ideas out on paper and see them come to fruition.
I can't wait til our next go round in April!
