We’re down in Southern California for the weekend, visiting Matt’s parents for his Dad’s 60th birthday. Today was the big party, and all went well. Matt’s Mom put together a whole bunch of great pictures and there were a number of people who came who they had known for decades. It was really amazing to look at the pictures — some taken around the age Matt and I are now (and earlier) and it really made me think about just how fast time flies by. I found myself thinking about looking at the pictures from this party 15 or 20 years from now, and wondering what I would think about them, and what would strike me the most. At one point Emily and I stood together with our babies in our slings and our picture was taken. I can just imagine looking at that picture with her in twenty years and exclaiming - “Look how young we look! Look how small our babies are!” *grin* We have so much ahead of us, and although it seems like some days go by so slowly I know that when we look back it will seem like the time flew past.

As the party finally dwindled to an end and people started to leave, Matt’s brothers began discussing their plans for the rest of the evening. Matt’s been getting a bit of an opportunity this weekend to get to know his brothers a bit better - he’s always seemed so different from them that he’s never been that close to them. But it seems that they are getting a chance now to get to know each other a bit better as adults and I think that they’re enjoying it.

By this point I had retreated to the bedroom to read to Emma and cuddle with Gregory. It was nice to have some time to reconnect with her since she played with her cousin and various other people all day. I felt like I barely saw her, and I think she felt the same about me. Matt came in and asked if I would mind if he went out with his brothers and their significant others. I was somewhat surprised that I quickly and freely told him to go ahead and have fun, without any regret at all on my part. I think a year or two ago I would have said yes, but somewhat begrudgingly, and three or four years ago I would have probably tried to guilt tripped him into not going or given him a really hard time about it because I would be jealous that I couldn’t go. But now, I could see how much he was enjoying the time he was spending with his brothers and be happy for him… and I wanted him to have the opportunity to get to know them a bit better even if I couldn’t be included. Also, I realized that I was exactly where I wanted to be - cuddling with my two children and marveling at them as I watched them both fall asleep.