It so rarely happens

Mom guilt and something more.  It happened today.  It snuck up out of nowhere and hit me.  Divorce remorse.  It had nothing to do with the person I was married to.  It was about a friendship that is no longer, a person that was present in my college and post college life.  I was in her wedding, she was in mine.  I should have said hello but I choked.  I was already feeling Mom guilt for missing one son's sporting event because I was at the others, racing to hopefully see at least five minutes of it.   There was no time for a hello to someone I haven't spoken to in many years.  What was worse was missing out on the second sporting event.  I got to say hi to my son and hear how it went.  None the less my choice has me upset.  Does the one that didn't get me feel like I chose the other over him?  That is an incredibly uncomfortable thought.  I wanted to cry to you because you always make me feel better.  But it was not the time for tears.  What a comfort it was just being in your presence.  You and your wonderful Dad.  It is amazing how loved ones work magic on your heart without them even knowing your heart needed mending.

Cousin Week, what fun it was!

I should have blogged everyday to capture it all.  What I can recall is that every day the bonds grew and morphed.  Friendly hugs became natural cuddling which warmed my heart.  Them taking sides, Dallas and Rocco, Mays and Luca.  The conflict resolution, the hilarious conversations in the car, the thoughtful responses to my "educational moments" at dinner when we covered each persons high, low and compliment to someone at the table, and the five things learned this week together.  The hilarious faces and comments from Rocco as I had them do their art project - the collage of photos plus a quote, plus a drawing.

Memorable phrases:
Luca: My mom doesn't have a favorite color, she just dresses fashionable.
Rocco: (while playing Mario and winning...) I came in like a wrecking ball!!
Noni: I bet I can pick up the most legos (a commendable effort to get them to pitch in and clean up legos which only resulted in them expressing looks of, ...Yes you can Noni, you go girl.)
Rocco: Noni let's have our special cuddle time until Tracy gets here.

Meeting Memphis

And some other Chico fun with the fam!  Always a good time together.

 Check out Uncle Rick (AKA Babo) and how cute is Mays and Uncle Mike helping Oliver try too.

 There he is!! Memphis Cook we love you.  You too Auntie Birdie and Sara.

It was an overdue change

It's retired.  A great memory and a super cute photo. Look at those little peanuts.  Oh my goodness, so dang cute!

Dallas Texas

Our summer trip was to Dallas, TX this year.  What fun we had.  Highlights were the pool at the Omni, touring the Cowboys Stadium, visiting the Stockyards in Fort Worth, seeing Brian and Richelle and their two dogs in Georgetown.  We collectively decided we are definitely going back.