Boomerang Kids, Blended Families & Lots Of Laughs- The Pawning Planners…

No one expects their kids to move home after they’ve moved out but some parents have a few “birds” that have never left the nest.  My twin sister, Cindy Daniel continues to wonder what an empty nest would feel like with three generations of her family under one roof. 

Prior to marrying Steve, Cindy went through a divorce from Larry (who had a second family he didn’t bother telling anyone about) and moved in with me moving from Texas to San Clemente with Leigh Ann and Stephaney (4 years old and 2 years old) until she could afford an apartment of her own.  Sadly, my grandmother decided to leave Texas and move in with Cindy.  For 17 years, my grandmother lived with my sister even after Cindy married Steve. 

My twin sister “took it in stride” when her youngest daughter, Stephaney became pregnant with the twins at 15.  Although I was working a full time job, I spent all of my time after work and on my days off helping Cindy with the twins and splitting all of their expenses.  Raising our second generation twins has been no different from raising our three adult children since we “shared” the expenses and parenting between marriages. 

   When you spend as much time as we do together, you’ve had a few funny stories and you’ve seen a few family arguments but, Cindy lives with her family too since both of her daughters and granddaughters also share her home.  Stephaney loves living with her daughters and Leigh Ann missed us so much when she moved that she called home crying when they moved to California two months ago.  You see when your children and grandchildren are so close to you that they can’t bear leaving home- you know you’ve provided a good home and Cindy has! 

    While to some people our family may seem different since we’ve raised our children and grandchildren as one big happy family- our close relationship is the most important accomplishment my sister and I believe we’ve accomplished.  By working together at Texas Twins Events, Texas Twins Treasures & The Pawning Planners, we’ve shared many adventures while helping families with little or no money for a funeral, wedding, pawning party, estate liquidation, baptism, and more events than I can name.

        Starting a business that expanded to take trades from families who had no money but shared a desire for a special event is difficult to explain to folks that have never struggled to pay for a wedding or very special party- I’ve been in their shoes and understand the hurdles involved which were the basis of my dream to give anyone a Dream Event- regardless of their income! 

Involving my family was necessary in order to address any need they could possibly want with wedding officiants, funeral clergies, wedding and party coordinators, photography and more for families who couldn’t afford traditional proving structures.  By having my family work with me as a “team,” we are better prepared with enough manpower to overcome any obstacle! 

   

Most families see each other for holidays and family reunions but our family see each other daily and often talk to each other several times a day regarding an Appraisal Appointment, Event or family function because we enjoy our time together while helping clients that no one else would.  We are truly Friends of the Friendless and dedicated to helping everyone who contacts us but, Pawning Planners clients MUST submit to an Appraisal Appointment in order to be considered for a battered event as well as sign a contract outlining the terms.

Requiring an Appraisal Appointment is key when the client had no money because “putting some skin in the game” by trading or, if nothing of value can be found- sponsoring the event comes completely out of my pocket and from sales generated at Texas Twins Treasures.

Families are a melting pot these days with LBGTQ families, single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and even- twins helping each other with their children and grandchildren.

Will Leigh Ann move home with our latest Little Pawner, Madyson?  Maybe but the goal of my sister and I is to teach her the value of being a wife and mother even if it means being away from us which we know is really hard for her and us as well. We miss the baby and we miss Leigh Ann but it wouldn’t be fair to her husband to move home with the baby only because she misses her family!  Hopefully, she can adjust to being a Navy Wife and living the Navy Life. 

  

 Cindy and I (along with Maryssa and Makenna and their mom Stephaney) are looking forward to seeing Leigh Ann and Maddy in California in a few months after I finish real estate school in order to better take part in real estate flips and to expand our Pawning Planners services to clients by offering low commission selling. 

 Being a super close family can be fun but it can also be stressful when everyone lives with you but how you handle it can be good or bad.  Cindy handles her multigenerational household with a dash of humor and a bit of #Cindyism with her saucy RedneckReality!

Wendy M Wortham No Money? No Problem- We Take Trades! The Pawning Planners