Cousins...

I always knew I was lucky. I have an incredible extended family - and just the right size. Each of my parents were 1 of four siblings, and on both sides there are 9 grandchildren. So I have 14 cousins - and each one of them are interesting people (well, we don't know much about baby Maclean, since he's only a week old, but I'm sure he will be interesting too!).

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Boise for my cousin Adam's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and Adam's bride April is a great addition to our family. The absolute highlight of the trip was meeting my niece, Savannah, for the first time. But, a close second was hanging out with my cousins. Chris, Mandy, and Adam are very close in age to Erin and I, and we spent a ton of time together as very young children. Unfortunately, it has been a very long time since we could all be in the same place at the same time. We had a great time just hanging out, catching up, and giving each other a bad time. And I don't know the last time I laughed as hard as when we were trying to take this picture.

As silly as it sounds, I'm so proud of who we all have become.

There is something so wonderful about spending time with people who love you, and knowing that while times have changed a great deal, who we are hasn't. Our common past gives us a place to start. So while Adam is headed back to Iraq, Erin's in Ottawa, Mandy's in Phoenix, and Chris is in Boise, we will always be those five rugrats chasing and teasing and laughing and loving. 'Cause we're good like that...

Don't know why....

I don't know why, but I've sure had trouble sitting down to blog lately. Having trouble scrapbooking, sewing, and doing much of anything "crafty", too. My guess is that I just ran my batteries way too low, and have needed this week to just recharge. I'm hoping that I'll find my rhythm soon, though.

One thing I have been doing this week is reading. I've polished off two books this week, and can't wait to start a few more from the library. It was one of my goals this summer - to get back into the reading groove. Getting up with Dan in the morning buys me 30 minutes to an hour before one of the boys wakes up, and I can usually steal another hour sometime during the day. Truly, it has been so refreshing to get lost in another world while remembering a bit of my "former" life.

Dan's dad, Robert is here this weekend, and then next week we go to the coast for a week. I've already planned my reading list. And maybe I'll find something worthwhile to blog about....

But in the meantime, here's a little plum face for your enjoyment -

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

That's me, sighing in relief. The last few weeks have felt like a mad sprint to the finish of the school year. But I've crossed the finish line and am taking a few days just to catch my breath.

Since I last posted, a great deal has happened that I will post more about later. We went to Boise for my cousin's wedding, we lost one of our students, finished the school year, boxed up my classroom for the room move this summer, and went to my parents' house for my mom's retirement party and Father's Day. I really can't believe that it has only been a week and a half.

A little bit of great news before I begin more detailed postings - I have a new cousin! Maclean Ransom was born on Thursday - and boy has this boy been prayed and hoped for! He is the only boy to carry on the Patrick name, and after a tragic loss last year, my aunt and uncle couldn't be happier to have him in their arms. I hope to go meet him soon - will post pics if I get them.

Have a great day - I'm off to catch up on laundry!