A Little Inbreeding Never Hurt No One

Late last summer, Emily and I wowed you with a sadly true tale of how inbred we are. I suggest you go back and read the original post for the whole sordid story (’cause you know, it’s funny), but the short version is that Emily and I are not only first cousins to each other, we are also FIFTH cousins to each other. (And our own siblings).

Back then, my Uncle Paul, my dad’s brother (who is one of the funniest people I know and the person from whom I get my *ahem* unparalled sarcastic wit) left a comment on that post stating that the family tree was even worse on my dad’s side of the family, who are from Virginia. (Emily and I are related on my maternal side via the great state of Kentucky). But I must confess, I thought he must have been exaggerating. ‘Cause it couldn’t get any worse, right?

Wrong. Reeeeeee-ooooong. Last week Uncle Paul sent me an email detailing our tree, or shrub, as it may be more accurately described. I present it to you, in summarized form:

So here’s how it breaks down. This “Mark” character on my family tree is the great-grandfather on both sides of the family to my grandma, and on one side of the family to my grandpa. So, where usually two people would have EIGHT great-grandfathers between them, my grandparents have SIX. Cause three of them?? ARE THE SAME GUY. Sooo….my grandparents are third cousins. My grandmother is also HER OWN THIRD COUSIN. My dad is his own fourth cousin, and I am my own fifth cousin, as well as fifth cousin to both of my brothers.

So, I am a *smidge* inbred.

ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FAMILY.

Incidentally, I am also lucky that I don’t have two heads.

I will not answer questions about the number of my fingers and toes.

Post to Twitter

The Wonder

This evening I watched my husband give the kids a bath. It was a quick bath, the kind you give not because you really have time or especially want to, not because it’s “bath night”, but because, well, your kids stink. Because spring has sprung, they’ve been playing outside, and they smell like it.

It was late, past Sophie’s bedtime really, so Bobby washed them as quickly and thoroughly as he could. And while he washed, I watched.

What I saw mesmerized me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from their shiny wet skin, their splash-inspired smiles, their saturated hair.

Surrounded by bubbles, laughing, playing, soaking, my children were so beautiful. As beautiful as I’ve ever seen them.

In the midst of something so routine, I was stunned by it. Awed. The bathroom was strewn with dirty clothes and towels, the laundry hamper overflowing, and yet in the middle of all that mess was such perfection.

My children. How could they come from me? I wondered.

And then I realized what I’ve known but had somehow forgotten. They didn’t come from me, they came to me, two gifts entrusted to me from a God who does all things intending glory.

Looking at them tonight in a sea of suds I saw glory more clearly than ever before.

Post to Twitter

Must-See TV

Or video, as the case may be. Here’s my beautiful, funny, two-and-a-half-year-old, charismatic Sophie girl giving it 100%, “reading” us her favorite book, Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton. We read it to her and then she “reads” it back to us every day at nap time and bedtime. It’s pretty much my favorite thing ever! Enjoy!

Sophie Reads from Jenny Rapson on Vimeo.

Dayton-area readers, don’t forget to enter to win tickets and a meet & greet with the cast of Yanni Voices! For an extra chance to win, you can also enter here at AmyinOhio’s blog – she’s giving away two tickets also! And all readers, enter to win one of FIVE pairs of Lee Colorwash Khakis!

Have a great Monday!

(You may now discuss my daughter’s cuteness.)

Post to Twitter