Baby Fever...Not what it used to be.

This past weekend our family got to spend time with Shaun's mom, aunt and uncle, cousins and their children. It was a wonderful mix of delightful foods, fishing, games, late nights, laughs, and conversations in between the care of all of our children. There is a total of 10 little ones so far in this next generation, ranging from 1 month to 11 years. The time at the family cabin has changed so much for me.

When my first 2 were little, it was very hard. I always felt like I was so busy with their care that I hardly visited with anyone. I liked being there, but the work to "enjoy some relaxation" was more effort than I think it was worth sometimes and I felt left out a lot. However now, as my children are older, I am blessed with opportunites to do some in-depth visiting, creating connections to other people in the family, and even more fun...watching my children just completely enjoy themselves too. There is still a lot to do with them, but nothing like it used to be.

Now, I get to watch them, and enjoy new babies again. Two of Shaun's cousins have had 4 children between the two of them with their husbands, and I have a whole new appreciation for them and what they are going through. I watch as they look so tired, run around to the different places and activities their little ones want to see and do. I watch them as they need to run off in mid-sentence because they are needed. And I smile. Because I remember doing it myself, and because watching parents, really good parents, tend to their little ones with such dedication and commitment...is just simply, a beautiful thing.

They are so in tuned to their kids, so patient, so aware. Although I think they wish they could finish a conversation, they follow their hearts, and it leads them to help their child experience such things as water, blocks, toads, swimming, boat rides, fish, worms, sleeping in a tent, and stories before bedtime.

I admire them.

They are doing what I remember doing, but I am pretty sure they are "enjoying the relaxation" a little more than I could. Although it never really helped that Shaun was rarely with me back then. I was always glad I went, but I remember feeling more exhausted than refreshed. Shaun did make it for one of the days we were there this past weekend. And it was SOO awesome. Even though they are older, it really is still great when we are both there.

I never thought there would be a day I wouldn't want more babies, but I can say now that our family is complete. We are moving on into new adventures now that they are older and I can honestly say I don't have baby fever anymore. However, watching my own children with these little ones, made me ponder future days. Will my girls have children? What kind of mothers will they be? What kind of men will they marry? And what an incredible uncle Anthony could be. I don't have the desire to have more children myself, but watching my children grow and eventually become parents themselves is a new kind of thought. One I hope happens way down the road of course, but very exciting all the same.

Until then I get to imagine, dream, and appreciate the love I see in them when they tend to these little ones. They are just so careful and delicate with them...so precious.

So here are some pics of my kids with the two youngest in the next generation. J. Parker and Grant.

This is Emma with J.Parker. She was SOO proud. And his mommy was so tender with helping Emma to do this. This is Bella with Grant. She was just loving his snuggles and hugs, and didn't seem to mind it too much when he got a hold of her hair, knowing "that's what babies do".

And this is Anthony, the oldest of the crew, with J. P., the youngest. I know he loves babies, but he seemed to really adore this little one. He asked to hold him so many times, and was so gentle with him, so proud of himself too. I admit I had a twinge of baby fever, for just a second, when I watched his kindness, and was amazed at his clarity and amount of speech when he was holding him.

I don't know what the future holds for any of my kids as far as having children, but I love that I get to witness the compassion and peace that comes over them when they are in the presence of tiny little ones. Babies are such gifts, to people of all ages I guess.

These simple moments, as well as so many others, are reminders for me that I did truly "enjoy the relaxation".

Because as a mom, or a dad, "moments", here and there, might be all you get.

Heaven is By the Waters in Minnesota

Our Memorial Dayweekend was VERY memorable for us. We got to stay the weekend at Shaun's family's cabin. He went there as a kid, and so did his own mom when she was young actually. So this place means so very much to my husband and his whole family. Each year for Memorial Day weekend, they all get together, but this is the first in a long time for us. This is why Minnesota always was, and always will be, home. What a beautiful weekend!!! The sun, the cool breeze, family, fun, staying up past bedtime, a campfire, playing cards late into the night, dirt, toads, worms and fish. The BEST vacation I have had in ages!! Shaun showed us all the great things he did and told many stories of his youth. He was definitely in his glory there. I didn't know how much this place had his heart. And he loved sharing it with his kids!

It was an adventure for all of us. I learned to canoe and I took the kayak out around the lake. That was probably a bit too adventurous. I went around the lake and came back after an hour and a half to find out it was about 5 miles. I guess I am glad I didn't ask how far it was first, I might not be writing this right now. On the way back I saw the most beautiful sight EVER!! The sun was just slightly touching the water creating this glittering sparkle. It was like non-stop fireworks! If that is what it's like to "follow the light", I can see why people do it. Heaven IS a little closer when you are out by the water. My whole family enjoyed every bit of it.

This is my little Nature Girl (in training - see "trainer" below). Our cousin Kyle taught her how to be the "motor" of the canoe. She was so thrilled with her accomplishment!!! She wanted to just go and go and go. This is when I got to take them all out. The only time Anthony got in, but he seemed to enjoy it! Just once was enough I guess.

Here's our little fisherman. He went from throwing in his plastic fish that came with his rod in, and catching it over and over to catching this. After mom got it baited, he cast and caught this one ALL on his own. Go Anthony! The best part was that for the first time, when he caught it, he didn't chuck his pole into the lake with his enthusiasm.

Here is cousin Kyle and Theresa's little girl Amery and Emma. Amery, at three, led both our little girls down the very cool path of living with courage. She taught them to catch toads (and make them a house and give them a bath), appreciate the coolness and size of a huge nightcrawler, and pet every fish ever caught. (She was the "trainer".)They all had such a great time.

Now I know why this place is so special to Shaun, his mom, brother, and their whole family. This is where little boys catch big fish, little girls get dirty, moms and dads relax, and families, and individuals grow. This is where the stories and the laughs get bigger and bigger. This is where everyone gets in touch with the child inside. No wonder it is so near and dear. It's so FUN! I can't wait to go back. What an awesome experience to have, and give, to another generation.