Grateful for Cousins

Lately I am incredibly grateful for my kids cousins.   They are surrounded by cousins who love and adore them, and hence my kids feel like the world is a safe, wonderful place, where everyone thinks they're great!  Not a day goes by that they get to see and play with at least one cousin.  They are loved, picked up and hugged and kissed multiple times a day.  They go to church together, school together, they babysit, and lately our door seems to be revolving with cousins going in and out.

I'm especially thankful for Kollin, this cute 12 year-old pictured above.  Even though he's six years older than J he's so sweet and good to him.  He and J's other 6th grade cousin  sat by him everyday on the bus.  How cool of a kindergartner did that make J?  He'll entertain J for hours--not to mention all the other kids too. He's so sweet and kind, he always tells me he loves my food and he eats a lot--which boosts my kitchen confidence!   He also clears his plate and puts it in the dishwasher which isn't bad either.  In short, I wish he was mine.  He's the perfect big brother in our house.  I'm crossing my fingers that he's the buddy in our house for awhile.

Braydon, my cool, 16 year-old football playing nephew came up to me the other day and said, "I hope you know that I love Wyatt more than anything."  He confessed that he even loves him more than his parents;)  How cool is that for a 2 year-old that thinks his big cousins are the best?  The minute we walk into church Wyatt starts looking for Braydon's lap.

The stories of love and friendship could go on forever.  My kids love and admire all their cousins, and we love and adore all of them too.  They really are such a blessing in my kids lives.  I hope they are always close friends.