Thankful Thursday: Extended Family

This week I am going to keep going on the family theme.  We are fortunate enough to have my Uncle D and Aunt G visiting from the west coast.  (Yes, using initials until they okay names here.  I'm trying to be respectful of people's online information.) I am so happy they are here!  The last time we saw them was at my cousin's wedding, back before Ben was born.  They only time they have seen Ben he was still doing his time on the inside.  I am so happy they will get to meet him!  

Beyond G and D, I have a great aunt and uncle in my Uncle W and Aunt C.  These four people have been there for me my whole life.  They've been to birthday parties, soccer games, school plays, graduation.  I know I can count on them to be there for me on a moment's notice, and to be there for Ben.  We are so blessed to have these people who love Ben so much.  Along with these great aunts and uncles come some pretty amazing cousins.  I am lucky that I grew up with all my cousins being in the same town.  For awhile Uncle D and Aunt G lived two houses away from us.  I went to school with my cousins.  We were all at each other's events.  We still have a great time when we get together.  Unfortunately, we are all spread out across the country now.  But every time we get together it is wonderful.  Pat is also blessed with some pretty great extended family.  He also grew up close with some of his cousins.  Some of them I am now fortunate enough to have as friends too!  

I am so thankful for this extended family.  Family really means the world to me, even more so after becoming a mother.  I am so thankful I know Ben has an amazing extended family.  While I'm sad his aunt and uncles live farther away from him then I would like, I know the love and think of him often.  Uncle J is already an amazing uncle.  He loves Ben so much.  Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Chris are wonderful too.  I am so excited for Ben to get to meet his cousins in person next month.  I wish we all lived closer together so Ben could grow up with his cousins, but sadly that isn't in the cards right now.  But I fully plan to do everything I can to get those kids together anytime we can.  I will do my best to foster friendships between them.  Cousins are some of the best friends.  They know you, they know your family.  And they are family, so they are hard to get rid of. ;)

This Thursday I am thankful for extended family, mine, Pat's, and Ben's.  Team Cartwright is really blessed.

And here is a picture of Ben.  You know, because he's cute. :)

I'm so excited to meet more family!!

-Kim