Long Time, No Blog

Lots going on! Wyatt and I continue to explore American retail and I'm suffering from Okinawa syndrome. Translation: I keep buying things because I think I might want them and then have to return the item once I find the real keeper. So far I've bought and returned five leather bags, three pairs of jeans and a shirt. For those of you who've lived in Okinawa and then moved back, how long does this effect last? It's funny because I don't really even realize I'm doing it until all of a sudden I have way too much stuff.

This weekend was awesome - Jeff is finally here as is his mom, plus his sister and her family were here for the weekend as well. We had a great time with them and with all the Rock clan in KC. Wyatt has now met LOTS of family and he's been pretty good about it despite a few of the events having been a bit overwhelming; lots of loud voices, new faces and non-parental hands wanting to hold him. He's a BIG fan of his cousins Matt & Kyle, and of cousin Liz's long hair. I'd say he's still warming up to the rest of the extended family. He thinks his Grandma Rock is great - she has fun hair and makes funny faces for him and that's about all it takes these days. Today was an especially good day because Jeff, Wyatt and nephew Thomas were all baptised at church this morning. As Wyatt was in the minister's arms, in front of the entire congregation (and church was packed today) I realized he rather seemed to enjoy the spotlight. He thought his trip up and down the aisles post-baptism was fun stuff, too.

Jeff and I are having fun checking out all of our old haunts. We especially liked the not-so-subtle brainwashing of Matt & Kyle yesterday. We took them to campus, bought them stuff in the bookstore, let them roll down the campanile hill and check out Allen Field House. I mean really, how could they not want to go here someday? We'll keep our fingers crossed.

It'll probably be a while before I post again (not that this has been all that interesting to anyone outside our immediate family) so I hope everyone out there is having a wonderful pre-Christmas week. This time has reminded me that there is so much in this world for which to be thankful. Despite the holiday rush, I hope you're getting a little time to relax, enjoy your family and realize the blessings in your own life. Happy holidays!