Sadly, I won’t be coming west again this summer. We are hoping to go to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton next summer for my convocation/a friend’s wedding/a trip to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary a year late (it all depends on the timing of things what the purpose of the trip actually is), so our travel budget is designated for the next while. But I’ve been looking up flights for mom and dad, so I’m still kind of part of the trip!

For the real historical perspective, you should ask my maternal grandmother whether or not I’ve always been a Mary mini-me. On second thought, maybe some things should be left alone….

Yes – Jen … you are a mini-me of your mother and both of you are a delight!!

I’m not saying that just because I’m hoping one or both of you will visit me this summer! Of course, I would enjoy hearing John’s take on this conversation. He would have the historical perspective … is it genetics or enviornment? Were you always a mini-me or did your mother shape you so that you might perpetuate a “Mary Essence”? Only John will know for sure!

(How do you respond to that and stay out of harm’s way?)

As for Rhett and Leah… they sure know how to have fun with each other, in my opinion, an important part of a healthy marriage.

But I wouldn’t want to be responsible for Rhett becoming more like his mother, so I couldn’t bring myself to say “Poor Rhett”.