Being with my boys again is so good. I got lots of hugs and kisses and tickles today. I am richly blessed.
I think by the time I get home my butt may be forever numb after all these long drives.
The boys have been busy working in the workshop with Papa Buzz.

Tonight my extra family came over for what was supposed to be a bonfire/cookout, only we got a hard rain right as they were coming that soaked the wood, so we ate inside. My heart was so full of good conversaton and love tonight! A few outtakes...
Three kids with huge grins that had teeth missing. Rowdy games inside and out - pillow fights, hide and seek, throwing the ball for Marley. Tyler is has almost passed me up in height, was AMAZING at playing with the younger kids and the dog. He played catch with the boys, let them hide with him and dogpile on him. So kind and respectful and gentle. When he first walked in I almost thought it was his uncle, whom I have gotten to watch grow up since He was 2. Crazy! Kinsey is beautiful and fun and just jumped right into it with the boys. They all fit together like PB&J!
Papa Bear is a farmer and some of my most poinant memories as a teen involve visiting them and their farm. We were talking about gardening, and they were joking about how I hauled a truck full of cow manure into base housing for my garden. I shared how I have had a lot more struggles with my garden in NE. Manure is THE best thing for a garden, and Mama Bear said, "I think there is a spiritual lesson in there somewhere"... S*** makes things grow. Life is full of it. Sometimes we need to let it compost for a while, but it will enrich our lives if we let it. I have been reading Hinds Feet on High Places. Her companions in the book are Sorrow and Suffering. I have stalled out about halfway through on this book because the allegory has been hitting so close to home and my heart is raw. I am pretty sure that when some of my life is done composting my life will be a lot richer and more productive because of the s*** that has covered a lot of things the last several years.
We laughed and shared and caught up. Then we went downstairs to show Manddi and Mama Bear our quilting. Mom checked the dehumidifier and it was overflowing. For some reason the sensor did not kick it off when it was full. I was carrying it to the bathroom to dump it in the tub and kept splashing water all over the floor. When I got to the tub the curtain was mostly closed, so I decided to shove the curtain out of the way and dump in one fell swoop so I didn't have to bother anyone to help me. I figured it would spill into the tub if it splashed anyway. As the water started to pour and the curtain popped open I see Tyler and Gavin piled in the botom of the tub. Did I mention there were some crazy games of hide and seek going on? I scream, "GET UP!!!" as the water plummets onto them. All the ladies come running in time to see two boys jumping out of the tub like cats running from a bath. Too funny!
Tomorrow is laundry, repacking, and start April quilting block of the month. English Paper Piecing. Hexagons and handwork this month. Glad that Mom and I are doing this together. It is very special. Tomorrow I will take some pictures of my works in progress and our completed quilt blocks with my ipad camera.
You will have to wait till I get home to see the lighthouse, food, and other pictures from my trip as I forgot my card attatchment or download cord for my camera...
Sleep is calling me.