This Chick Gets Me

OK, so I was all wondering what I should blog about. I could have totally talked about the mass amounts of stress I have been experiencing. I could have written about the physical and mental toll my sick babes have had on me since August. I could have written about my internal dilemma of the H1N1 vaccine, and after debating it, finally decided yes, only to wait two hours in line to get it. I could have written about my in-law drama. But seriously, I live that stuff all the time, and I needed a break from all that stressness swirling in my head.

So then I was going to blog about my favorite TV shows. I was going to tell you how much I love Modern Family. I was going to discuss the awesome programming that is Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew. I wanted to analyze the conflict between Gretchen and Tamara from Real Housewives of Orange County.

But then I got this in the mail:




My cousin Ashleigh sent this to me with a super sweet message inside about my blog. Isn’t she awesome!! I love this girl! There are a few years between us, but we were close growing up. We lived far away from each other, and we used to spend the night at each other’s houses. We would have a blast watching movies and listening to music. She would later be one of my bridesmaids. Our lives took different paths. She brushed off the dust of her hometown and went to live in an exciting city. And well me, you know what’s going on with me. We don’t get to see each other all that often, usually just holidays. We don’t talk all the time either, but I think about her a lot and wonder how she is. (And sometimes a bit envious that she lives in a cool city and actually gets paid to write. But in a so-proud-of-you, kind of way, not a mean-I-am-jealous-hate-you kind of way)!

Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of family bonds when in the trenches of raising kids. It’s also easy to feel alone and no connection to myself when deep in the business of taking care of babies. Then I get a card in the mail and remember that I am part of a bigger tribe, and some of those tribe members totally get me. That’s the cool thing about extended family. Once that bond is there, I feel like it is there for life. We may be traveling on different paths, but I will always feel connected to her. It helps that she is one awesome person with a great taste and a wickedly funny sense of humor. I wish we lived closer so we could go get coffee or a drink sometime. Ah, geography can be a bitch!


Ashleigh, I don’t say it enough, but I love you! You are awesome. I miss you!! I am super glad that I have a cousin like you.