Just a Bunch of Awesome Crazies!

My family. I have an unbelievable family. My family makes me happy. Hubs has a good family, and his makes me happy. Spending time with family is my favorite activity, whether it be with my side, Hubs' side, or just the two of us. Family is everything to me.

Hubs and I 

I am the caboose of eight children. Eight is a lot of children, but I must say I know people with more. See my parents didn't need to have any more kids, because after they had me they knew they achieved perfection. Some people marvel at my parents and speak of them with wonder that they were able to raise eight amazing children. I have no idea how. I do know that there was love, laughter, and a whole lot of patience. We ate dinners together. My parents took time to talk to each one of us. They attended school functions. We attended church together, and learned about the gospel of Jesus Christ together. We went on day trips/vacations together. In all that beautiful chaos, my parents raised eight fantastic people. We are all grown now, and has since left the nest, so it is very difficult to be all together at the same time now. When we do, however, it is happiness itself. We are loud, probably slightly obnoxious, and we have terrific fun. We laugh, play, eat (major priority), sing, and just enjoy each other's company. When we were last together, my mother made the comment that our reunion was heaven on earth.

My Clan

Hubs is the second child of five. I cannot write too much about his family life growing up, because I was not there. From what he has told me of his childhood, and from pictures, he grew up similarly. Slightly different dynamic, because not every family is the same. But from what I observe,  Hubs was raised by loving parents. They did things as family. They learned how to work. When we visit and get together, it may not be as loud, but it is fun with games and much laughter. I love being with his family. 

Hubs' Clan

Now what is my point with this? Well, I know that through the roughest patches of my life, I would not have survived if not for my family. Family supports each other. It says so in the The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Husbands and wives support each other, mothers and fathers support their children. Even extended family is encouraged to be part of the family. They are family, so there is no question in my mind. I don't know all of my first cousins, but I do know that if one of them needed me, I would do what I could. Now support can come in many ways. Support can be monetary, emotional, or physical, but sometimes all we need is family to show up. 

Some of the happiest people I see are people who are disabled. It does my heart good to see pictures and see success stories. I have a cousin, Robbie, who is one of the most loving souls I know. I believe he has a form of cerebral palsy, and is 40 something years old. Robbie is so happy and loving. He loves being around people and will play and laugh with you. Robbie can easily make a bad day so much better. He is a miracle. He has lived far beyond what was expected, and still continues to bless the lives of those around him.

Doesn't Robbie just melt your heart with that brilliant smile?

 Hub's cousin, Jaden, has  Hydrocephalus. I had only a general idea what that was, but really didn't know anything about it. From the little bit I have gotten to know him, and read about him on Facebook, I have learned what an amazing boy Jaden is. He participates in sports, likes watches and superheroes, and the girls. Recently Hubs and I had the opportunity to participate in a Hydrocephalus Walk to help raise awareness and money for better treatments. What amazing people were there, and all supported by friends and family. I loved being there to support Jaden and getting in a nice stroll.

Go Team Jaden!

Now Robbie and Jaden are both amazing spirits. You can feel it when you are around them. I heard or read once that these spirits were so special that they were given these bodies and challenges so they could remain innocent. Now I have no clue if that is true, but to me it is a nice thought. Elder Holland at a general conference a few years ago gave a talk entitled "Like a Broken Vessel."  In it he says, "I bear witness of that day when loved ones who we knew to have disabilities in mortality will stand before us glorified and grand, breathtakingly perfect in body and mind." I for one cannot wait to be able to speak to these wonderful boys. To these perfect innocent souls, from whom we have so much to learn. 

I haven't seen Robbie in a few years, and I don't see Jaden all that often either. But just showing up to his event did me some good, and I hope it did him some good too. My parents showed they loved me by simply showing up to whatever I had going on, tennis matches, piano recitals, choir concerts, and everything in between. Even if I said I didn't care (which of course I did), or if the event was more embarrassing than anything, I still appreciated them being there. I love being around family. It is when I am happiest. I hope and pray that everyone who reads this appreciates the family they have. Remember the good times. Cherish those moments that bring you closer together. Support your family, even if all that means is showing up, do it.