Bring on the Cousin-Love

One of the sweet treasures we are giving our children is a close relationship to their cousins.  There is nothing like "cousin-love".  There is something special about having cousins that are relatively close in age - they are playmates, confidants, friends... they can be there for you when all you need is a someone close but not too close, someone like a sibling but removed, a "brother" when you may not have one, a sister if you need one.  This is so evident in our own life - Alex is squished in between two sisters and sometimes all he wants is someone to wrestle with (close to his own size), someone to play hockey with or someone to play in the dirt with him.  Jean loves her girl-cousins that she can play "mommies" with or dress-up with that is also close to her age, size and maturity.  Grace is the oldest cousin on both sides of our family but having cousins gives her opportunities to be a leader and caregiver to others.. not just her brother and sister.

Their cousins live near (4 close by so far) and far (4 far away) but distance hasn't stopped them from having fun together when they are together.  I hope this lasts forever for them.  

Sometimes I Just Need to Step Outside of Myself

Have you ever stepped outside of yourself and asked, "Why are you so grumpy?", "What's wrong with you?  You have a great life -stop being so negative!", "Give yourself a break (and your husband to)!"... many questions come to mind.  This morning I woke up doing just that.  I look back at the past few days and I have been grumpy.  Life is busy these days (it's strawberry season at our farm) but seriously LIFE IS GOOD!  Actually it is pretty damn great.  We are enjoying a very good berry crop, summer has just begun and the kids and I are heading out on a vacation this week (more on that later).  I have so much to be thankful for but there are times when I forget that and purposely rain on my own parade.

This morning I pledge to feel grateful.  I wish I could apologize to Ian in person but he has been up since 4:30am working in the field (I really should be very thankful that I don't have to do the same) and deserves a big breakfast!  He is doing such a great job providing for us so that I can stay home with our children and be there for them every day.  Maybe I should also pledge to be good to myself as well and not berate myself so much.  I am doing a good job around here and someday, when the farm isn't so busy, I will get to clean my house and sit down and play with the kids.  It will happen.

For now, I am taking Alex and Jean's to Grandma and Grandpa Garner's for the week and Grace and I are heading out on what should be a fantastic vacation at her dance competition.  I am so thankful to be able to do that for her!

The Boys of Summer

The Girls of Summer