Family Matters!

I have had the opportunity over the past couple of years to reconnect with family from California and Texas that I really haven't had much contact with. My dad is one of 5 children, whom (until the past year), lived in 4 different states. They are also very spread out in ages so my first cousins and I are very spread out (ages 25-40). We always lived in MO and our closest cousins (in age and location) lived about 4 hours away in OK. We grew up together and had a great time, but, we didn't see our other cousins on this side of the family. The 4 of us had a wonderful childhood, but, we didn't grow up with the other cousins. Now as adults, our 1st cousins kids are becoming adults and thanks to the web and family relocating, are becoming a part of our lives. I have spent time with cousins that I haven't seen since childhood (both in person and on the web). It has been so great to meet these wonderful family members and to see what we all have in common, despite our very different childhoods.
I am even more excited for Jenna to have this extended network. To have all of these strong, educated, independent, and beautiful women to influence my daughter is an amazing thing. So thanks to Mom, Amanda, Tina, Tammi, Lela, April, Kelli, Kimber, Raelynn, Becky, Tera, Ashlee, Aunt Diane, and Aunt Earlene......