Thankful Day 20

Today I am thankful for my family.  I am lucky enough to have two amazing parents who are always there for me and support me in whatever I do.  I have two brothers who love and support me (even though we're all 7 years apart . . . but the age gap can be good sometimes when I need advice from someone who's already been there).  They both have awesome wives who I appreciate and know I could call on whenever I needed them.  Between them are 7 kids . . . my awesome nieces and nephews who keep growing up and I can't quite handle it (when did I get so old?).  I have a great aunt and uncle who are always interested in and supportive of my life.  I have cousins galore who even though we don't get to see each other often are caring and we always enjoy the time we do get together.  I have an aunt, uncle and cousin on my mom's side who have always shown me nothing but love.  And that's just my family, I also married into an amazing family.

Adam's parents and sister have always made me feel welcome and a part of the family.  I call them Mom and Dad and I mean it.  He has 7 aunts and uncles on his mom's side, plus their kids . . . it's a large crew.  Even though there are a lot of them I've never felt out of place.  They were all just as welcoming and I always enjoy my time with them.  His grandmother (Dad's mom) is the only grandparent we have left (by blood anyway) and while I will fully admit I was nervous meeting her for the first time, she loves me like her own and that means a lot.  He also has an aunt and uncle on his Dad's side who are always loving and we enjoy our time with them.  And that's just my family by marriage, I also have "family" through friendship and other family.

My brothers are half brothers, they have a different mother.  But that side of the family was still a part of my life and I'm thankful I get them too.  There are also close friends who I consider family and I'm glad I get to add them.  I truly don't know how I would have gotten through the last year without all of them.  Love you all!

This is a collage of our family that I started in our hallway.  We're still waiting on a few pictures, but it'll get there.