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For 3 years I have woken up to "mama!" For three years every request was either preceded or ended with "MAMA!". If papa tried to help there was often a "No! Mama do..." At times I felt enslaved, I must admit. While on this trip, though, GRANDMA! is the new hero. Or DADDY! For half a second, I'm sure my shoulders droop. Then I realize that this is something I've dreamed of! So here I am, while Ruby is happily taking a bath with her daddy in attendance, goofing off!

While on our trip west, Ruby has learned to love her cousin Emma and rough house with Uncles James and Eddie. She's learned that Grandma can be counted on for blue yogurt, great hugs and many, many book readings. Grandpa is always good for a tickle and the Aunties are quick with a hug or a smile. I, for one, have never eaten so many cookies in my life. And here? They have DRIVE-THRU coffee stands. You don't even have to leave your car to get a Medium skim latte with sugar-free vanilla.

It's amazing how quickly everyone feels like family again. These are folks I married into and I'm lucky enough to adore them! The teasing, the laughing and the story-telling are a warm concoction. My mother-in-law has a home so comfortable, if she cares that there are messes, she doesn't let on. With this many folks, it's easy for things to get cluttered and sticky and for feet to be put up on furniture, it quickly feels like home.