(extended) Family

When you live hours away from your family, you tend to create your very own extended family. Atleast that's what we have done. I have a few 'sisters' that I know I can reach out to if I ever needed anything, that will support me and encourage me, and that will take time for me and my family as if we were their very own. And I hope that they know I will do the same for them - you know who you are!

One such sister is my friend Megan. Although it has only been a few short years since we met, we are extremely close and our kids are as well (we need to work on the husbands . . . )! If you are a reader of my blog, you'll remember that I was Megan's doula during the birth of her 2nd child and was honored to become his Godmother as well. You might also remember that her 1st child, Emmy, is just 1 day older than Elliott, and we celebrated their birthdays with a trip to the bowling alley. In fact, Elliott and Emmy treat each other as sister and brother - complete with bossing each other around and fighting! But the sweet stuff is there too -- hugs and requests to play together. I could continue to ramble on, but really I just wanted to post a couple of pictures I took of my Godson Patrick when he and his sister were with me this week while Megan was serving as a doula for her cousin's labor and delivery. It was a treat for me to spend time with P & E!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

March came in like a lamb today, blessing my dad with wonderful weather on his birthday! We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you. In fact, as I was buckling Elliott into his carseat this morning, he said "let's drive to Grandpa Fred's house!" He had to settle for a sucker at the post office when we mailed your birthday card (sorry, it'll be late). Elliott picked out the card himself, I hope it's 'loud' enough for dad to hear it! If we had been there, we would have been able to sing to you ourselves!

My dad is only 59 today, although he retired from his farm operation and auctioned off all of his machinery last weekend. He's moving on to a couple of new roles - landlord (renting out his farming acres) and hired hand (working for the 'kid' who's renting them!) We love you dad/grandpa, and wish you all the best!