Famdamily

I'm reminded of the quote from Princess Bride about how "marwige is what bwings us together" when I think of family. My family is not as dysfunctional as some, but we have our quirks. Tonight they are all on my mind, and this is my blog, so blog about them I will.

I have three older sisters (all married) and one younger, very spoiled little brother. I do not say spoiled lightly either; he is the only boy, so he is The Boy. I was the baby of the family for 8 glorious years, and then he came along. I remember the day my mom told me she was pregnant. I cried for hours. I ignored him for the first couple years. Sure, he was fun to play with, but he definitely took my spotlight right out from under me! I have since overcome my jealousy issues with sharing the baby spot on top of the totem pole since I am obviously still the favorite. :)

My sisters are more important to me than they probably realize. I have a different relationship with each one, and they aren't always peaceful ones. Natalie is the oldest. She has been married for 10 years and has 3 beautiful kids. She is 10 years older than me, so we connect in different ways. She is a giver; she'll give you the shirt off your back if she thinks you need it more. For example, she recently bought me a Kindle. The blasphemy! I am anti-kindle. She said I need to get over it, and since I would never buy one for myself she stepped in on my behalf. The reason she bought me this gift: because I was on her mind. That's how she is. She may not always be on time for the party, but she always brings the most thoughtful gift. Holly is the next in line. She is 8 years older than me, and has been married for 5 years with one miracle baby girl and another on the way! Soon! Like maybe tonight! Braxton hicks are so blasted annoying! Holly is the rock; she is an amazing role model for all of the family. Her focus on the church is something to admire. For example, he daughter is two and half, yet she knows exactly what to do during a prayer. She folds her tiny arms and squeezes her eyes so tight it is comical. A part from being comical, however, it is reassuring to know that if all else fails, I'll know someone will have my back up in Heaven! Dayna is only 2 years older than me. This was both bad and good. The bad, I listened to all the boys in my middle school tell me how hot my sister was. The good, I went to school with my sister. Ya, my middle school crushes were always crushing on my sister, but I also (I would never actually admit this to her) loved being in school with her. It was sad when she graduated, and I had to finish the last two years of high school without her. She is now married to her high school sweetheart, and we still have a somewhat nerdy friendship. I swear, nothing brings out the nerd in me like she does! Then I came along, and why have more kids when you already scored the perfect child?! Wrong. Eight years after I was born came Theron. He is a studly little sixth grader this year, and is turning down daily offers from girls to "go out." I remember this age; where we were going I don't know, but everybody was "going out" in middle school. He is growing up so fast I can't believe it. I just wish I could shrink him back down and keep him from the harsh reality of growing up. Sadly, I can't, but he is a good boy. Despite is sassy preteen attitude he is rocking to the max lately...

My parents, Todd and Conra, really are the best. My dad is "broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hip", or so he likes to think. A boy from my high school years commented one day that he would never come to the house because he was scared of my dad. Thanks, dad. My mom is a sweet heart. I've never heard anyone say a negative word about her. She supports me no matter what color I dye my hair, what I say or do or how many speeding tickets I may or may not have racked up.

My extended family is amazing (I know this post is getting ridiculously long, but when I think of family I cannot leave them out)! I have grandmas that love each and every one of their families, and that's saying a lot since both of them have huge families! My aunts and uncles are not the old, crabby kind that pinch your cheeks and leave nasty kiss marks on your face. No, mine are the kind that will drop everything to help their niece who ran out of gas on her way to school or drive miles and miles to be with her if she's scared of a hospital. No, mine are the kind that put family first and foremost.

I've watched my family pull together in times of need, but lately I've felt them come together for me, and I can't tell them enough how much it means to me. I love them all. All of them are crazy for sure, but what would life be if not for famdamily.