Siblings

I've been thinking a lot about my siblings. There's 9 of us and growing up I wasn't always thankful to have so many siblings. But nowadays, they are some of my very best friends. I am amazed at how different each of them are and how they each bring something unique and different into our family. Melanie, being oldest, has always been like another mother. She seems to always have wise advise and helps you to look at things in a way you may not have. Plus she's really smart. Like almost creepy, knows all the answers to Jeopardy kind of smart. I don't remember Christine not being married with kids (probably cause she got married when I was 3). I've lived with her more times than I can count and I've learned about what kind of mom I want to be because of her. She has taught me that anyone can learn to do anything. She self teaches herself everything and develops talents she naturally has and talents she wants. Joanna is that sister that would kill for you. Seriously. She protects those she loves and will go to great lengths to support you and be there for you. Cathy and I became friends when I went to college and I got to visit her often. She surprises me. She has learned to enjoy life...I love to eat with her, I love to shop with her, I love to bake with her, I love to watch movies with her, I love to nap with her, I love spending time with her! John is the most underspoken person in our family. He is a giant, but is gentle! He doesn't complain and is the most easy going person I know. Michael is my hero. He is brave and strong. But he is also the most goofy person I know. He can make me laugh like no one else. And if he's saying something under his breath you want to know what he's saying. Elizabeth is tougher than she thinks. I know how to push every button she has and have spent a lifetime mastering that talent. She is obedient and faithful. Maggie, who is now Great Aunt Margaret, is delightful. She doesn't worry about what other people think. She is fearless.

I am so thankful for each of my siblings. I feel lucky to be in our family. And it's because of my siblings I wanted Benjamin to have at least one sibling (still not sure if we'll have more...but at least he got one!) I know there will be countless fights, and thousands of he's looking at me and she's touching me moments, and I'm sure there will be moments where I look at Bryan and we question having any children at all. But I also hope they have secrets with each other and become great friends for each other. I hope they help each other out either just by listening to them, or offering advice, or teaching them to do something they can't do, or cheering each other on, or knowing that they can always call each other and laugh and know things will be ok. That's what my siblings do for me. And it is awesome!