A week to remember

 Paige & Harvey & Levi

 

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to play substitute parents for Baxter's sister Alex and her husband Rick . They had booked a 2 week holiday in the U.S with some friends from Canada and had decided to brave it alone with only 1 of their babes, the beautiful Miss Addy. Bax and I gladly "babysat" their 3 other beauties Paige (8), Harvey (6) & Levi (4) - pictured above. It was a hectic and fun 6 nights with 5 children. There was plenty of love and happiness and the time really did fly by... really!  We read books, watched "Tangled", ran races {Paige seriously beat me!}, jumped on trampolines, kicked footys, scuffed knees, ate McDonalds, played tickle monsters, baked biscuits (footy one's for Harvey's show and tell), danced and sang. There was laughter and tears, loud voices and sweet whisperings!

Alex thanked us profusely and showered us in gifts upon their return, but we really were the lucky ones...  and India and Reeve LOVED having their cousins and a beautiful pet dog Tabah for a whole week.  

India and Levi have always had a tentative relationship, but this week we spent together resulted in many sweet moments and more affection than anger :) and here are a few proof shots:

There is something special about cousins... something very special!

On my mother's side alone I am 1 of 34 cousins, our children combine to a total of 64 {second cousins}... and there are more coming each year! I love being a cousin and having cousins and feel a boundless measure of gratitude for the opportunity I have been afforded in growing up surrounded by family; as well as travelling to meet those who are not close by. It has been my experience, and a great gift, to discover that no matter the distance of time or passage, and no matter the frequency of contact we have between us, there surely is a bond and a love that is real... tangible... and lasting with cousins. It is as though our Creator knew that there would come times in our lives when we would require a closeness less explicit than a siblings but more familiar than a friend... a blood ally... a savvy accomplice for any facet of life. How fortunate I am for the opportunity India has to form these same affinity's with her cousins here in Perth. In a perfect world I would have my family here also but until that time I take heart in knowing that this Christmas will yield a special time for our family. A time when my Mum and Dad will be blessed to have all their Grand-babies in one place for the first time in their lives and the spirit of Elijah will be well with us.