Calling All Cousins

My house has been exceptionally quiet this week, but that’s all about to change tomorrow. Not only is my son coming back from a week-long trip to Cincinnati with our church youth group, but Cousins Week commences as well. The cousins from my side of the family are coming to spend their annual summer week with us. This year is special as the youngest is able to join us. There will be swimming, hiking, picnicking, camping, tons of laughter, maybe even a few tears and possibly thunderstorms that make "certain" people scared. It will be fun for all!

We have been doing this for about 10 years now and it is one of my favorite weeks of the summer. I look forward to the kids coming. I love watching them all do things together – and age doesn’t matter. The 21 year old doesn’t have any problems hangin’ with the 6 year old. I love that they love each other and have built relationships amongst themselves. These will truly be their friends for life.

I was never close with my own cousins growing up. There were probably reasons, but I know, at least for my brother and me, we were in between as far as ages were concerned. The cousins on my mom’s side were older than we were and the cousins on my dad’s side were all younger. I did always feel like I missed out on something not being close to them. My husband has lots of stories of growing up and family gatherings with his cousins – and there were A LOT of them. They didn’t just have first cousins, but second and now third as well when they all get together. I am blessed to have reconnected with my cousins on Facebook and can be a part of their adult lives.

Here are a few pictures of the cousins over the years. I can’t wait to see what this year will bring! Stay tuned...

Let the chaos begin!

Comments

Book Giveaway - Merry Christmas to YOU!

Ok, so I'm a little late in letting the winner know, but I won't bore with all the details why. Let's get to the information you really want. And the winner is... Kathryn Svendsen Congratulations, Kathryn! We will be in touch with you so you can receive your book. Cut It Out by Terri Gillespie I'm so excited that one of my cyber writing friends, Terri Gillespie, released her new book CUT IT OUT this week. I’ve already had an opportunity to read it in advance of its release (I love my job!). It’s wonderful! Because of all this excitement and wonder, she is offering to give away a copy of her book, you can choose either print or ecopy. All you have to do is leave a comment and your name will be randomly chosen. Make sure to leave your email address so I can get in touch with you. You don’t want to miss this great read! Here is my review of CUT IT OUT and a few words from Terri: This is my second go–round with the Mavens. While I did fin

Monday Meditations - Ambivilence

Ambivalence Oh, how this word defines us as humans! We are ambivalent about so many things. We are wishy-washy. We can't seem to make up our minds about anything. Just look at a woman's bedroom after she has gotten dressed. The pile of clothes on the bed tells us that dress is the wrong color, that one is uncomfortable, today's the wrong mood for that one, that one isn't appropriate for the situation, that one doesn't fit anymore… I've known women that can't make up their minds about who they want to date. Some can't make up their minds about which women they truly want to be friends with. College students enter the university with one major and come out with another, yet work in a completely different third field. Couples get married only to find out shortly after the wedding that marriage (or the person they chose in the first place) isn't really right for them I could go on with examples of how we have mixed feelings, unc

Monday Meditations - Valuable

Valuable Sometimes as a mom it's hard to feel valuable. It's often a thankless job. Nobody sees even half of what you do. Work is often paid for with a screaming baby, a temper tantrum throwing toddler, a temperamental teenager, and a husband who just wants his dinner. I once read an article that said stay-at-home moms "should" be earning $162,581 a year. Where are my mom friends who see that in their bank account? You know something? Our mom value is not in money. Being a mom is the highest calling God gave to women, not climbing the corporate ladder. I am not dissing moms who work outside the home. Each one has to make choices as to what is best for her family. This is for all those who choose to stay at home, those who sometimes feel value less. Our value was in the little lives you are molding each day. Your payment is all the sticky, syrupy kisses and the I love yous from the lips of those to whom you gave life. Our value is raising ch

Real Life is Better Than Fiction

Search This Blog