Happy Thanksgiving!

There's nothing like a visit to my father and stepmother and from my brother and his family to put me back into good spirits, to remind me of the importance of family and children and simple pleasures. I appreciate all the good thoughts and wishes during these past few weeks, from many people who really only know me through my blog but have come to care about my family and have become a community of support for me. I feel disloyal dropping off the face of the earth for 3 weeks.

I was bereft when I lost my last camera. I know, something so simple and easily replaced but I couldn't easily replace it due to circumstances in my life and I suddenly found myself unable to capture all the magical moments and subsequent thoughts that went along with this photo journal. I realized how important this process has become to me and yet, because my family was going through some trying times, I didn't feel inspired to continue blogging, to try and capture the joyful moments. And not having a way to capture the visit of our family from Boston, after so much anticipation and excitement, left me feeling defeated.

Does all of this sound dramatic? Well, maybe so. But we never really know when we will suddenly be faced with challenges, and of what nature and magnitude. I think we ALL know that there is much left unsaid in a blogger's world, things that remain too personal to share with such a public forum. And because my blog is quite personal, I couldn't write about certain aspects of my life and couldn't hide behind pictures that easily cover things up. I couldn't read about other people's lives, either. I just had to step away.

I am feeling better, more hopeful again. That's all that needs to be said about that. There will be pictures coming again and hopefully, my amazing community of support from people whom I don't actually know personally are still out there. I will catch up on all the blogs that I follow. It feels good to be back.

Challenged

I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks and I haven't read anyone's blog either. Due to some difficult circumstances in my own life, coupled with the loss of my 2nd camera in 6 months (aargh), I just stepped away. Losing my little camera during Noel and Holly's visit devastated me since their visit was so special and rare. It's a big trip flying out from Boston, especially when we all have other family spread out around the country and overseas, so not having the chance to take pictures crushed me. They were, in a nutshell, perfect. Jasmine was in toddler heaven, whether she was putting barretts in Uncle Noel's hair or building a cushion house with her Aunt Holly. We all felt so empty and lost after they left.

Things are looking a little better now and I will slowly make my way back to my blog.

They're here!

I had to run off to work so Baba dressed the little princess in order to make a good impression with her aunt and uncle. Not so bad--Mary Jane's and bobby socks.
Aunt Holly and Xiaoxiao. It didn't take them long to win each other over.
We are thrilled beyond words to finally have Shane's family here.

Tomorrow? A girls day on the town...

The influence of cousins

Swinging with confidence.

Oh, what joy it is to see these girls play together. In order, 5 years old, 2 years old and the big nine year old. And just when the fun was getting started for Halloween night, my camera battery died and I had no spare, so the costumes, trick-or-treating and neighborhood party at my brother's house all went undocumented, at least by me.

I thought I'd better get some pictures posted since today Jasmine's aunt and uncle from Boston arrived! We'll be having some serious fun with family and I couldn't be happier for Shane, who has not had the chance to introduce J to any of his family until now since they live so far away.

Next stop, Ireland?