Once upon a time there were two welders, each with the name of Smith, although they were not related, who worked long hours far from home and lived together in work camps. Their lovely wives, each with three children, were neighbours who also worked long hours raising their small herds of kids and chickens. The men at camp became earnest friends and the women and children were inseparable. Eventually the women and children went with the men to the work camps and they all lived together as one big happy family. Over the years as they shared their lives together they blended so well it was at times hard to tell whose kids were whose.

This week we are once again living with the Smith's in our usual communal arrangement of kids and animals everywhere and it is difficult already to tell where one family starts and the other one ends (when a mom says 'brush your teeth' six kids go brush their teeth!). Ultimately it is a time of total relaxation where everyone is completely at home, totally themselves, faultlessly honest - in fact downright unabashed!

Korey, Bonnie, Luc, Megan, and Rebecca are our 'un-family' in our home away from home. We have experienced many of life's blessings together and walked through some rather difficult times together as well. Years ago we went to Mexico to work together at an orphanage. At that time our own crew of kids were only ages 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Ali, a friend next door came too and seemed so old at 17 - for which we were very thankful. On Sunday we got together again with Ali, and had a very short but intense "reunion" and it dawned on us, our kids are now that old themselves! And so the party continues...