C.....is for COUSINS!

Sugar Bear loves her cousins. Two cousins in particular.... K and S. They live in the same town as us, so they are the cousins that she knows the best, and they are the ones closest to her in age also. K is nearly five, and S is 3 weeks older than Sugar Bear. They were due only a week apart, but S came a week early, and Sugar came a week late.



K and S, are my brother's kids. My brother and I have a rocky relationship, yet always seem to figure out a way to be supportive of each other. I may not always like him....but I do love him. If you are a regular reader of this here bloggy poo, you know that I have been facing major stress. This stress revolves around my brother and his life. I have known his wife since we were 9 years old, and we are good friends. Recently, I supported her in making a drastic move intended to help my brother face the problems in his life, and their marriage. It was very hard on me....and continues to be so. I am quite stuck in the middle. I care deeply for all involved....my brother, his wife, and their kids. I want for them to have a joyful life. As it was....there was little joy. My hope is that over time healing will occur, and whether they are all together as a family again, or whether they have to go separate ways, each one will find the inner peace and joy that they so deserve.



With all this in mind, life has changed for us. K and S, are at least temporarily living in a different city. I am not certain how often we will see them, and this concerns me, as Sugar Bear asks for them often. It is hard finding the strength to accept change, and to have hope that possibly someday things will return to normalcy. Right now we have to slowly tread through unknown waters, and just keep our head from going under.




I have sadness that our close relationship with them may forever be changed. I had great images in my mind of fun times ahead. It is lovely to live close to family. We plan outings together, we trick or treat together, we go to the pumpkin patch, we have picnics and play dates. Right now.....these are on hold. The seriousness of adult business is getting in the way of the innocence of childhood. I am sad for that. How will Sugar Bear understand? Why is life so hard?



I apologize if much of this is too vague, but it isn't my life or struggles to share in this situation. That is their private business, but I did want to share how it is affecting me and mine.



I took these photos of the girls in July for their mama. I enjoyed spending some special time with each of the them separately, and together. They were great sports, and we all had fun. I cherish these pictures. Thank you for letting me share them with you! If you are the praying sort...please pray for these girls...and the journey they are on.