Cousins

The kiddos have had a blast over the past week with their cousins from Arizona. It was a full week with all kinds of activities. I am so thankful that they had this time to share special memories together. My brother is great at coming up with ideas that include all of the kids...He bought some water balloons and some squirt guns so we had a couple of water fights...great memories. We spent some time at the lake and some time at the ranch by the river.

The time together was a little hard for myself and for my parents with my sister being absent... definitely bittersweet. The last night we were together the kids spent the night at our house and they each talked non-stop. They talked more than ever that night. They each said they had such a good time and they didn't want to go home... they wished they could live here. I wish they lived here. They are all good kids and my brother-in-law is doing an amazing job as a single parent. I applaud him.

I do miss my sister and pray for her daily. It was hard not having her here with our family. I continue to pray that grace would meet her where she is. Her situation is one that I cannot understand so I try not to...I try to pray but honestly I am often lost for words.

I also pray for each of my nieces and nephews. I wish we could share more memories together like we did this past week. We will definitely have to do this again. I was worn out by the end of the week and sick fighting a sinus infection but so thankful for the time we spent together...hoping that each of them were blessed. Not blessed by the new activities that surrounded them but blessed by the love that we shared. Blessed by their Heavenly Father who is the provider of every gift that comes our way.