A little more Christmas

Christmas season

joyful

I recently heard someone say "people don't know the joyful times, til they're gone" These are it for me. How much more joyful can life get? Grandma Kat came to take a photo for her wall at home. Its pretty tricky getting these three monkeys to all look and smile at the same time. It's pretty joyful though.

cousins

There is really too much love in this picture to express. What a blessing cousins are! Cousins are comfort and joy and laughter. They are the flawless balance between a friend and a sibling. These 3 Bell cousins make life so happy for my kids. 

Landon and Nicole have been out of dental school and living close by, for about a year and a half. 

They moved to Texas this month. 

It is heart breaking.  I'm still in denial that they'll be there long term. I really think my emotions won't let my brain go there. I just can't think about it. 

We need them at gram's on Sunday evenings. We need them in the kiddie pool in the back yard. We need them at bbqs and family nights and holidays. We really, really need them. And my heart hurts when I think of their absence. Missing their big brown eyes. Their cheerful, bouncy greetings, their cute voices and hard laughs, all the fun with just the kids in the basement. 

However, 

Texas is a happy place. I know that they were prepared, and led there, and it will be just right for their little family. 

Thank goodness for skype and facetime and visits.