Jim and Niki

So we had Hayley's extended family in town for the weekend. That sounds weird. Well, and WE didn't have them in town ... they were in town for Jim's wedding. He lives near Golden. How lucky are we that we ALREADY live here. That was convenient for them to have a wedding NOW. While WE live here. Thank you Jim and Niki .. you are beautiful AND considerate.

EEKKKK. Put the brakes on. Let me back up.

Hayley's extended family. Well, really they are MY extended family too. I want to claim these people because they are just SO wonderful. Yes, I can claim them. If it weren't for me and my bad choices Hayley wouldn't even know them.

So thank you Alana .. self ... for making a bad choice .. but at least with the bad choice I gained SUCH AN AWESOME GROUP OF FAMILY.

EEKKKK. Back up again.

Jim Richardson. He is Hayley's grandfather's sister's son. Cousins. Got it? I have known him now for 17 years. That's a long time.

EEKKKK. Back up. Once again.

I made a bad choice. I already said that. From my bad choice came greatness. Hayley's father is well .. a loser. Gave up parental rights when she was five years old. Way too easy. He wanted nothing to do with us .. BUT BUT BUT there is a happy ending. His (I can't say his name ... or I could, but don't want to) father's side of the family didn't give us away when he did. They kept us. And treasured us. And protected us. And made us apart of the family. Forever. There are no words strong enough for how I feel about this family. I love them. But even better, they love me. And Hayley. Forever .. but I already said that.

Actually Nancy (click here ) and Fred (Hayley's great aunt and uncle) are in Co Springs on a mission. They are the parents of the groom. How very NICE of Jim to have his wedding while THEY are here too.

So the wedding was really great. It was nice to re-connect with the family again. The last time we saw everyone was last November but that wasn't as happy as this time. It was for Mike's (Hayley's grandfather) unfortunate funeral. I will blog about him ... eventually ... when I am emotionally ready for that. There's a special place in my heart that's only for him.

Oh my gosh .. this post is all over the place. My point is that there was a very lovely wedding that we attended this weekend. For a very lovely couple. From a very lovely family.

I am so lucky. But it's not really luck. Sometimes we learn from mistakes .. sometimes our mistakes have long term consequences ... sometimes mistakes can open windows we didn't even know existed. Hayley, of course is what came from choices I made when I was 20. I won't ever call her a mistake. I can't imagine my life without this girl. She and I grew together for a few years alone before Sean came and saved the day. Adopted her. Sealed her to us. She is now 'ours'... Forever.

Grateful for mistakes? Is that possible? Yes. Eternally grateful. I gained a daughter of God and a family some only dream of having.