Family Gathering

Today we met up at my Grandpa Dunbar's house to visit with family. We had a house full. My sister and her two kids were down from Wisconsin. My brother, his wife, and kids came over. My youngest brother came over with a friend. My cousin and her two girls showed up. Of course, I was there with Luke and Eli.

It's one of those love-hate occasions. The kids are loud, making messes, and I know driving my Grandpa crazy. On the other hand, you can catch up with those you haven't seen in a while (in between burping babies, changing diapers, feeding, and trying to keep the older kids from tearing up the house.)

You find out that you are not the only one with issues. For example, finding free time for ourselves or trying to get husbands to help out seemed to be topics with the moms. There was talk about choosing schools, new career paths, church, organizing the house, and relationship ups and downs.

I know that when you talk to family you get the most honest opinions than anywhere else. Family gatherings are like a talk show for us. We all contribute, we all have something to say, we all have ideas and opinions, but most importantly we also listen. It's nice to know that family is the best soundboard and you can bounce anything off them. You get to the heart of what's inside you when my family is around.

It just reminds me how important it is to stay connected. Time is valuable. We should not let so much time pass again before we see each other. It's ridiculous to do so when most of us don't live that far away. (I won't blame Britt since she does live in Wisconsin!) I have to make a point to really keep in touch more often. I guess a late New Year's Resolution, of sorts.