Family

Today I flew back to NYC after spending a couple of months at Ryan and Sadie's in Illinois.  I have to say, I felt a bit sad looking out the window of the plane waiting to take off.  I had such a great summer and although I knew I would enjoy being home for the summer, I just didn't expect it to work out so perfectly and wonderfully.  My sister-in-law, Sadie posted the sweetest blog post today and it surprised me and utterly made my day.  The whole time I felt like I was the one that was getting the sweet deal!  I felt like I was so lucky that they offered to let me live there for 2 months....that's a pretty big imposition on my part!  And I was so, so happy to get to spend time with both of them and my niece, Abby, as well as welcoming my niece, Hazel, who was born midway through! They would joked about me being the "live-in nanny", but I was so happy to spend time with them and it never once felt like a "duty".  More than anything, I was nervous that I would be underfoot all the time or they would get annoyed with me!

Let's talk about how awesome my nieces are.  Abby is the funniest, sweetest, chattiest, most imaginative little girl.  Even at her "terrible three's" sassiest, she is such a delight.  When she got her new swing set, she told me "Daddy made this!  This is the best swing set ever! This is my favorite!"  She exhibits such joy at seeing the people she loves...Mommy, Grandma, Bubby, Daddy, Grandpa, Pappa...and even Auntie Erin.  She is so smart!  And even though Hazel is just a few weeks old still, she is so fun to be around.  Such a good baby!  So content and snuggle-y!  I always wanted to hold her...I can't wait til we can play together and laugh together.  I can't wait to see what she is like...

And it was so nice getting to spend time with Sadie. Getting to know each other on a different level that has nothing to do with my brother or my nieces.  I feel like I made a friend that was beyond family.  Luckily, it is a relationship that doesn't need to end just because I am not longer living there... whether it is figuring out a new knitting pattern, watching bad TV, planning family events, laughing about the kids, talking about life...

I also got to do some "family" things that I have often missed out on.  I got to go on the cousins camping trip and spend time with a bunch of my favorite people and also attend my nieces' Christening/Birthday Party extravaganza.  It often feels like I don't get to participate in those things, like I am on the outside looking in. I miss out a lot and I felt so happy (weirdly happy?) to just be included.

So, thank you, Ryan and Sadie...for all of your beer that I drank, for all of the dinners you cooked me, for including me, and letting me be a part of your family.  Words can't express my gratitude.  You guys are stuck with me now. :)  (I'll be back!)

-e