This thing called family.

I'm from a big family. There are seven of us kids, I have aunts and uncles and a few still living grandparents, and an assortment of cousins. There is always someone. When I was younger and having to help change diapers, tie shoe-laces and help with meals, with 6 siblings, I wanted, no wished, I was an only child. I mean come on, who wouldn't right? I was the oldest, and not even the favorite, or the cute one, or the nice one or even the smart one. I was the first, the trailblazer, the test baby for parenting. 

Looking at these photos we almost look like we have it together. granted, now we might. But growing up, we fought, argued, hit, teased, you name it. And unfortunately we probably still might do those things, a little. Over the years I can look back and remember having friends then roommates say how fun and cool it would be to have so many siblings, and they were right. As a mom now, I can see my parents (my mom) did the best she could. We kept coming and yet there was always enough,  always someone to play with, help with, never a dull moment, and now that we are mostly all adults, these are my people!
 I know I can call any of my sisters or brothers and we can talk about anything or nothing. I can call my mom and talk about anything, growing up with a mom who we could talk to about literally everything, had it's pros and cons. Now definitely more pros! We are loud, and big and you put enough of us together and we can get a bit wild! (Don't worry no one's been arrested yet!) I can't wait to see us in 10 years, hopefully all married with babies!

We have tried to always stay in touch with family, even now my kids call their Great Grandma, their Nana and Grandpa Jim and don't get me started on the list of their aunts and uncles that we call and sing Happy Birthday to and catch up with at least monthly!

 In mid March my Uncle Danny died. It was rather quick and not something anyone was prepared for, but when mom called and had everyone either in the room and/or on the phone, we were there and ready to go and within minutes we had flights ready, kids taken care of, jobs moved around, and could go and be there to support our family. That's what you do! Blood is thicker than water, and our German blood is pretty thick!
 Its unfortunate that most of the time we're only able to see each other or extended family is for a wedding or a funeral. Why is that? Why does it take adding someone else to the tree or loosing a branch to bring us together? One sister is in Canada, one is in LA, all the boys one sister and I are local. The cousins are spread out, as are the remaining aunts and uncles and our handful of living grandparents. The older I get the more I realize my family is awesome! I love them, I miss them, I need them in my life. We're not perfect, we're a mess, but we genuinely love and care about each other and I can't imagine my life without any of them!

Us kids,  Grandma and two of our cousins, Antonio and Emilio.