Re-entry

Yesterday, Riley and I returned from a week in the Bay Area with my sister and her family.   We had no major plans for our time there, and it was so nice to just hang out with them.  To just be there.  To make dinner and read bedtime stories.  There were trips to Toys R Us (what's the fun in being an aunt if you can't spoil them?) and afternoons at the park and the zoo, but mostly, we just hung out.  And that kind of downtime, that kind of time with people I quite simply adore - it was just what I needed.  

Nephew bonding

March somehow flew by without much (or anything, really) written in this space.  It was a busy month, with a lot of work and family and personal commitments.  Still, one weekend stands out as March's highlight - I wanted to make sure it was recorded here.

I spent a long weekend in California with my sister and her family, helping them prepare for the arrival of their new baby girl.  Because I didn't bring Riley along, I was able to really connect with my twinner nephews, spending time with them in a way that I could not have if she had been there. (I love my girl and all, but she has a way of running the show. )

Tate on the left, Liam on the right

We played cars, we sang songs (about trains), we watched movies (about cars), we played trains, we read books (about construction sites), we played trucks.  Notice the vehicular theme?  These boys - they are ALL BOY!

 I'm so glad I was able to spend this time with them.  It was a once in a lifetime shot - their baby sister would be arriving shortly after and it's rare for me to travel to visit them without Riley. So this time was important - the only time we'd have this dynamic that I so enjoyed.  Having Tate stroke my arm while I was reading to them, or Liam put his little hands on my cheek and snuggle in...the memories still melt me.  I love these little boys.

Liam and his favorite car

Sweet little Tate

 Being an Aunt is one of the very best things in my life, something for which I am so grateful.  I cherish the opportunity to love the children of my brothers and sisters in the way only an Aunt can.  Each niece and nephew holds a special place in my heart.  It was so much fun being able to spend time with these little guys. 

Coming Home

Yes, Disneyland was fun, fun, fun! (photos from that coming soon)

Still, the small amount of time we spent on the beach,

the waves,
the sand,
the water,
the discoveries,
the games,
the shells,
the pure sense of openness and freedom I always find by the sea...

This was my favorite hour of an amazing weekend.

 

Sunday night brain scramble

*Wow. Where did June go? Seriously...wasn't Memorial Day weekend last week?

*Wanna see what Riley and I cooked up for breakfast this morning?
They were her idea and so yummy. Try not to be jealous. Come on over, and we'll make it for you, too.

*I'm finding that going through the process of selling my condo is by far one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever had to do. I do not like having people I don't know in my space. I do not like keeping all my personal stuff packed away, so people can imagine themselves in an impersonal, neutral condo. I do not like getting calls and texts from a realtor every day (Don't get me wrong, my agent is great. I just don't like thinking about this stuff all the time.) I don't mind keeping it "show ready" (i thought I would) but let's just say I hope this process is done and over very, VERY soon.

*I need some new workout music. Badly. If you have any suggestions, send them my way.

*I've noticed that my summer reading list consists of much lighter topics than any other time of the year. It must be that "summer-beach-reading" mode has been permanently burned into my DNA because I am plowing through mystery novels, re-reading old favorites, and enjoying new light, easy reads. I have simply put aside the idea that I am going to get to anything of substance any time soon. Again, all summer book reading suggestions are welcome.

*I booked the flights for an October trip to Disneyland/SeaWorld for me and my girl. We will be meeting my sister and her husband and the twinners there, and I am so excited (didn't ever expect to say that about a trip to Disneyland, but whatever.) Telling Riley this early may have been a mistake. She is already planning her princess outfits.

*Speaking of my sister and her men, they will all arrive at my place on Wednesday (insert shouts of delight here!) It's my grandfather's 80th birthday party this weekend, so they are traveling in for that and will stick around for the holiday weekend. We will all head to Idaho to later this week celebrate his birthday, the birthday's of two of my nieces, and the fourth of July. I can't wait for a weekend of family, parties, parades and my favorite kiddos ever!

*As if that is not enough, two of my best friends will be in town over the next few weeks, as well. Hannah is coming in on the Eighth, and Cameron and her Jersey brood arrive late tonight. I can't wait to catch up with these ladies and see their families.

*Did I mention I'm getting a new nephew sometime in the next couple of weeks? I cannot wait to meet him. Maybe he'll make his debut while we are up there (here's hoping!)

*July is going to fly by as fast as June did, but I'm not complaining. There is a lot of good stuff happening around here.

What's on your mind tonight? What good things are happening in your world?

In good hands (Gratitude Friday)

This is why I was able to really relax and enjoy my vacation. I knew I had left my girl in the best hands possible.

So grateful for my sister, her husband and the twinners. We love them so much.

Grateful for My Family

I've been sitting here for an hour, trying to distill how thankful I am for my family into a few spare paragraphs.

I'm a writer.
I love my family.
This should be easy.

These people:
my parents, my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, my grandparents....those that I am joined with by blood and those who I am joined with by marriage...
...They are everything to me.

Missing the Twinners

T in the water, L in the background

My sister and her family returned home after being here for about two and a half weeks, and I'm missing my twinner nephews, missing them in the way only an aunt can (you know what I mean, right?).

Missing their sturdy little legs and their silky black hair.
Missing how they make car sounds whenever a vehicle is present.
Missing how they try to sit on my dog.
Missing how I have to look directly at their faces to tell them apart...L has the liquid brown eyes (oh, those eyes are gonna melt some hearts some day), and T has the wide, delighted grin.
Missing how they curl into their mama's shoulder.
Missing how they grab fistfuls of the other's hair when they are fighting.
Missing the weird little twinner actions - movements they do simultaneously, for no apparent reason.
Missing the twin talk.

Oh, I am missing those little men BIG!

Becky, BRING THEM BACK!

Not my boys, but...almost.

Last week, Riley and I ventured off to California to see my sister which means..."twinner time"!
Sweet little Tate
Crazy Little Liam

What is it about these little guys? Is it the adorableness time two? The sweetness squared? Or the fact that they are my sister's children, which means they are almost mine?

Liam
Tate
Liam on the left, Tatertot on the right.
These little men have found a stronghold on my heart, and I don't see them letting it go anytime soon. Which is just fine with me.

Tate in brown, Liam in yellow

Liam
Tate
I'm so glad I got to spend some time with them. They are so much fun!

Love Looks Like This

I'm a writer. I express myself through words.

I've been trying to find the words to express how beautiful these little boys are. How, when their tiny fingers gripped around mine, I felt them grip my heart, as well. How amazing it is to see the personalities already. How giant the spirits are that are housed in the tiny bodies. How beautiful my sister is, and how fully she has come into motherhood. How strong and steady their father is, and how he is such a great example of the type of man they will become.

I can't find all the words I need, and so I offer these photos to show you: This is what LOVE looks like.