Family Reunion

Our family reunion is fast approaching and I just got news today that ALL of my siblings will be there!  I am so excited about that.  All your siblings you say?  Can't be that big of a feat right?  How many siblings can one person have?  The answer is yes all of my siblings, a very big feat and a person can have a LOT of siblings!  I have 4 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 half-sister, 1 half-brother, 3 step-brothers (one deceased), and 1 step-sister.  For those adverse to doing the math, as lets admit it not everyone wants to do math just for kicks, that is 12 (TWELVE) siblings.  Throw in 5 sister-in-laws, 3 brother-in-laws, 12 nieces, 12 nephews, plus 2 sets of parents and you realize that everyone coming was a feat to be accomplished.  I am very excited and very content in knowing that we will all be together soon for a few days.  I feel blessed to have such a big family and I truly love them all.  Not only do I love them, but I like them too! 

Not Just Siblings.....Friends

We went out to eat at a local fast food place tonight as a treat.  We ate in so the kids could play in the play area.  While we were there my children took some of the younger kids who were there under their wing and played with them.  My 7 year old son would take a little boy that couldn't have been more than 2 up to the slide and down it as he couldn't do it himself.  My daughters played with the toddlers sister.  The grandfather of those kids stood their watching and smiling.  The kids had a great time playing while we were there, joking with each other, helping each other, and just being themselves.  As we were leaving an older gentleman smiled at me and commented on the fact that it was so great that our kids liked each other.  He was so impressed by the fact that they were so kind to each other.  Not only each other, but others.  It really warmed my heart to hear this.

"Brothers and Sisters Share A Unique Blend Of Love, Comradery, and Friendship", Chuck Danes (I believe).  I believe that this is very true.  No friendship is quite like that of a sibling.  My children will make great friends throughout their lives, but their first friends and hopefully their best friends are their brothers and sisters.  This isn't to say that they get along at all times.  We have those moments where they are seperated and sent to their rooms or to sit on the stairs.  It never lasts long and the forgivenss is quickly given.  I can learn so much from how they interact with each other.  Thank you kids for not only being siblings, but being friends.