Baby Bruce's Blessing

We just spent a weekend with the extended Shumfam.  I married into a wonderful family and I feel so grateful for each of them.

Aaron's littlest sister, Jade, had her second baby boy.  Is there a more masculine and handsome name than BRUCE CALVIN?  I think not.  We are all in love with little Bruce.  I quietly call him Bruiser.  He was blessed this weekend and Aaron's parents and little sister Coco came in for the blessing.  As always, it was so good to see everyone.  It was a quick trip for the parents, but how fun that we could celebrate Eden's birthday with them.

My mother-in-law is young at heart and smoking hot.  She is so kind and always bearing goodies for the kids.  She's a gift-giver and I want to be more like her, always thinking of others.  She is fun, playful and social.  She has friends everywhere she goes.  Her heart is huge and she gets emotional each time we're together and it kind of breaks my heart because she doesn't get to spend enough time with her grandkids.  They love her dearly and I am determined to find a way to live closer to them and soon.  Life is too short to not spend time with Grandparents, especially when they are as loving and kind as Aaron's parents.  I feel lucky to have a friend and supporter in Brandy.  This weekend I've decided to call them Mom and Dad instead of their first names.  They have loved me and welcomed me into their family with open arms and it's about time I switch over.

Ben is taller!  That happened way too fast!

If my husband could age like his Dad, we'll all be in good shape.  Dad is a firecracker.  He is an idea-man and I always love to sit around and talk to him about his recent dreams and goals,  We never have enough time, of course, because there are kids and babies that need to be cared for, so that makes me even more determined to live closer to them.  Dad is well-read and full of wisdom.  I love and respect his zest for life.  Some of my favorite memories of this weekend are watching Roma maul all over Grandfather.  She loves to hug him and pull on his legs and hold his hand.  I think he likes it okay too.  Simon didn't stop talking all weekend, because talking is what Simon does best.  Several times I found Simon chatting up a storm, and Stan's face was priceless.  I don't think Grandfather can understand anything Simon says.  His hearing isn't great and Simon talks so fast and passionately, than unless you're used to it, it may be hard to follow.  Anyway, there was more than once that made me giggle while watching the two of them together.  Ben and I were sitting across the room from each other and both started laughing at the same time because we knew Simon was talking nonsense to Grandfather and he hadn't a clue how to respond or what to say back..  We laughed because there's no reason to say anything back.  Simon will be satisfied with the conversation as long as he's allowed to talk. Just nod your head and pretend like you believe him.  I do it everyday and it works like a charm.

Cody and Jake came up from Arizona for the weekend, and that makes it a full-blown party.  They are both the hippest and hippiest couple and I want to learn their art of being realists.  Cody was the second Shumway I fell in love with.  First Aaron, second Cody.  She is spunky and fun and happy.  She is unique and naturally beautiful.  She found a unique husband who compliments her well.  At first, I wasn't so sure about Jake because he's an oddball.  But my heart grew to love him quickly.  He's musical and artistic and always interesting to talk to.  Jake and I chat about intelligent stuff like podcasts and ideas and ways to make money.  But it's always balanced with stories that make absolutely no sense and phrases that were made up on the spot.  Jake and Cody are hilarious and something tells me they have a good time together.  With good looks like that, they'd have to be having a good time, always.  I don't tell them in person (often) but I can't help but be around them and not think about the handsome babies they could make.  I am dying for a red-headed Booshay baby.  We really want to live next door to them, but they need to produce some cousins for our kids in a major way.  We love babies around these parts.

Speaking of babies.  Let's talk about Bruce again.  And his brother Ezekiel.  Jade and John are rockstar parents.  John is working and in school (mr nurse) and they are killing it with two kids.  John is an awesome Dad and a favorite uncle to my boys.  He's one of 11 children and he knows what kids like.  Food, games, pizza, adventure.  He's a chilled-back dad and doesn't sweat the small stuff.  This is good for Jade.  She impresses me all the time with her mothering and wifing skills.  She is also very unique and I love her so.  She lives close (an hour away) but we don't get together often enough.  I love chatting with Jade because she's a gorgeous girl, but she's kind of like a dude when it comes to drama and friendships and life.  Which means, she is cool with everything and doesn't read into it or make it anything it's not.  She wears her feelings on her sleeve.  She says it like it is and you never wonder if she's bothered, because she will say so if she is.  And she says it so sweetly and frankly and it's awesome.  She's the baby of the family, but she kind of keeps them all in line and I just love to be around her.  It's been so fun to watch her blossom into this amazing, capable, caring momma.  Her boys are so well-behaved and sweet.  They are lucky to have such good parents.

We were totally missing the rest of the family this weekend.  Aaron was able to see his brother and family last weekend after the tennis tournament and I am jealous about that.  My boys miss their Texan and California cousins.  It's hard to stay close when life is busy and everyone is spread out, but I am determined to figure out a way see each other more often.  Roadtripping might need to happen very soon.  With everyone in different states, this bus of ours is going to come in handy...

Sunday was the baby blessing and Monday was lunch and Scheels.  And that was the extent of our visit.  It was short and bittersweet.  We drove away with all of our kids wishing the family could come back to our house and stay longer.  I'm grateful that despite the distance, we are still able to see them often, enough and that our kids can remain close with them.  Eden was the only one that stayed in her shell, but each time she gets a little more comfortable.  Pretty soon she's going to look them in the eye and say real words instead of hiding her chin in her neck.  And maybe by then we can train Simon to behave with real manners, but I doubt it.

Being around my in-laws makes me more in love with my husband, like I can't keep my hands off of him afterward.  Not sure why that is.  Maybe because I appreciate where he comes from or because I love watching him interact with his sisters.  He lived with the Little Squirrels the summer before we were married and he had a lot of girls interested in him that summer.  I was not one of those girls, and that was a huge mistake on my part.  So when we get together, I feel bad about that and then try to make up for it by kissing his face off.  I just get really sentimental watching him with his parents and siblings.

three of my favorites.  how cute are they?

And man, when he puts a fussy baby to sleep with a few bounces, it's attractive.  He's definitely got a magic touch.  Love this baby and his handsome uncle.