When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. ~Joyce Brothers

These past few weeks leading up to the beginning of school have been WONDERFUL:) We have had lots of family visit and have gotten to spend some time together.

However, we also recently have had a little family scare. Lydia had a really bad reaction to one of her routine vaccines and had to go to kitty hospital. Taking her to the vet and checking her into the hospital was honestly one of the worst things I have ever done-it really felt like I was taking my little baby to the vet.

Then, when I got home, it was nothing but depressing. All I noticed was how there was no one to greet me and run at my feet when I got home, no one to climb into the pots and pans cabinet when I was cooking, and no one to come lay on my lap as I watch Big Rich Texas. It was an absolutely miserable day.

Its like the old saying goes-you don't know what you got till its gone-and by having Lydia gone for a day, I realized what an important blessing she is in my life. Luckily, she recovered overnight and was able to go home the next morning:)

So, after weeks of seeing family and missing the absence of a special member of our family, I continue to reflect upon how important it is to have family as a daily, eternal part of your life. I never want to miss another play or purr session with my baby girl:) When I think more about balance and how to constantly juggle work, home, personal time etc, I have found that while I sometimes regret choosing to go into my classroom on a Saturday, choosing to watch another episode of that TV show I have already seen or choosing to clean that room for the fourth time that week, I never regret making time for family:)

Especially gray, furry members of the family