I am so blessed

Obvioulsy, I am a little biased, but I think I was born into the best family.  I don't know what I would have done through this life of mine so far if it wasn't for my family.  When I was little, I felt like I moved around a lot, but looking back, I realize that I never felt lonely in new places because I always had a permanent friend....my sis.  Through the years we have developed such a strong friendship that goes beyond just the definition of "sister."  When her kids were sick this past week---I was a mess.  I couldn't go and see them because that meant that Emily would be at risk.  Before Emily was born, there would have been no question, I would have been with my sister.  I remember the day Emily was born, Kristi got a little choked up in talking about Emily with me---it's hard to explain how much love you can have for a niece, but we have both felt that feeling for each other's kids.  (wow, I have never written "each other's kids" before--sometimes it just hits me that I really do have a kid of my own!)  My sister was my very first friend and I am so blessed.

Brian used to have a job that kept him working on Saturdays.  I cannot begin to count how many Saturdays my mother has given up to spend time with me and keep me company.  When I got pregnant, it seemed that her Saturday "duty" with me tripled.  She was always coming over to help me get things ready for Emily, help with the laundry, help with cleaning, take me to lunch etc...but, I was just the morning/afternoon duty.  She had to get to my sister's house to help with her kids in the afternoon.  My mother works TIRELESSLY for her children.  We're always telling her to take it easy, but she doesn't listen, she always wants to "do" for us.  Another perfect example of her selflessness...she had a day off work today and instead of making use of her time for herself---she and my dad came to our house to watch Emily so that we could save money for a day off of daycare.  My mom is a great friend, a great mother, and a loving Grandma.  I am so blessed...

My dad is a constant in my life.  We didn't get to have as many Saturdays together because he had to be at work and since I work full-time, I don't always get to spend as much time with him, but I know that if I need him he is there.  I will never forget going to Disneyland with him the day my water broke.  He was so cute!  Every time I had any type of pain out of the ordinary, he would say, "do we need to go?"  Thank goodness we made it home before the water actually broke---but I digress---He has always been such a great listener to me and my sister.  To this day, I need his advice and he is often spot on.  He helps me see the bigger picture and helps me realize that life isn't always about the right now.  Things don't always happen the way that I want them to, or the moment that I expect them to....makes sense, right?  Too bad I have to have him remind me of that!  I love how much he loves God, my mom, his children and his grandchildren.  You can count on a camera in my dad's hand at any family function.  He doesn't want to miss a moment or even forget one.  He is so in love will all of us.  I am so blessed...