family.

This weekend we had a family reunion with Justin's mom's side of the family. It was the inaugural event on what will hopefully be an annual gathering with family we see not near often enough. As we sat at my in laws last night eating, drinking, telling stories, watching our children play in the yard, simply enjoying each other's company I was blown away by how lucky I am because I have 3 wonderful families.
I have my Minnesota (and now spread to Ohio and California) family who I love and miss dearly. They are the ones who can tell stories about my childhood, laugh about the crazy clothes i wore in junior high, etc. They are the ones I share blood with and although I only see the entire extended family now once or twice a year (3 times if i am lucky) it feels as though i have only been gone 9 days instead of 9 years.
My immediate family (who i see more often, maybe once every 10-12 weeks) is beyond incredible. I have a father who loves his children (and grandchildren) and shows that love through his actions. Many people long for the love, respect, appreciation and attention from their dads...I am so blessed to know without a shadow of a doubt my father loves, respects and appreciates me.My dad is my rock. My mom is my example. She showed me how to raise a family, how to be a wife, how to balance my responsibilities and most importantly how to love unconditionally. I have an older sister who was, and is, an incredible role model, someone i still go to for advice and who i still consider to be my best friend. I have a brother who brings joy to my life, who is humble, who was my partner in crime, and who challenges me to be more like Christ. I have a younger sister who is more full of passion and drive than anyone else i have ever met, she inspires me to be better and i can't wait for her to move to texas.I have an andrew who challenges me to think, rethink and think again. I have an Andy who has taught me what forgiveness looks like in the real world. I have grandparents who taught me what marriage looks like and i want to follow their example and raise my family to be Christ followers. I pray I get to stand by Justin's side for 50+ years before one of us is taken home. I have aunts, uncles and cousins who are more than family...these people are all my friends. I choose to be associated with them whenever possible.
And now my Texas family...I am so blessed to have married into such an incredible family (both Justin's immediate and extended). I have a father in law who will drop what he is doing to help us. My mother in law who gives so unselfishly and I am blessed to call her not only my mother in law but also my friend. I have a sister in law who challenges my creative juices and is a great listener. I have a brother in law who keeps me laughing and inspires me to be a good steward. I do not have the typical "in-law" relationship with these 4 people, they are truly my second family. they have taken me in as one of their own and I am so humbled.

Oh, and I have 2 nieces and a not quite out of the womb nephew who complete our families.

I also have my own family: 1 man and 2 boys who are my life, my reason, my pleasure, my everything. I have a husband who is my best friend, my companion, my daily dose of laughter, my confidant, my greatest advice giver, the father of my sons, my soul mate, my true love. He completes me and I choose to do this life with him.  I have my Hunter who is so smart, witty, loving, gentle-hearted, kind and honest. He loves with his heart on his sleeve, he asks a million questions because he wants to know the answers, he is a know-it-all, a chatterbug, a mamma's boy and the moment i held him in my arms i was so completely, helplessly in love. I have my Judah who is so full of life, my gentle giant, my crazy boy who will always keep me on my toes. He is passionate, compassionate, empathetic, sneaky and hilarious. Judah is my snuggler, who loves to give kisses and hugs. He is my baby, he will always be my baby. I love them. I cannot provide a quantitative measurement of how much I love them, but I would give my life for any of them without a second thought. These 3 men are my whole world. Again, I am so blessed.