Family is family is family

My babies are nice and clean snuggled in my bed watching Diego.  I have to work tomorrow which I normally don't because of their mid-winter break and babysitting arrangements.  It's going to be hard because I have gotten so used to being with them every Saturday.  They will be in good hands, however, with Aunt Mackenzie.  They were really lucky to hang out at Aunt Jessica's most of today and the rest with cousin Kayla. I am so proud of Kayla and I am only her aunt!  She is 12 years old and such an excellent babysitter.  She has had little, if any, experience outside of her own brothers.  Jessica and Sonny have done an amazing job with raising her.  I do think it is true that kids are normally better for everyone but their own parents, but she is going to be an awesome woman someday  I am lucky to be her aunt and part of her life.  What a priceless asset she and the rest of my family are to our village!

Speaking of family, I was blessed today to give service to my mother-in-law today.  I know, I know you might be thinking, isn't she your (ex)mother-in-law?  Technically speaking, yes.  But I have known my in-laws since I was 16 years old and have always called them mamma and dadda.  It actually feels weird to call them my ex in-laws or any of his extended family that.  Although I easily refer to Matt as my ex-husband.  :)  I regard all of Matt's family as my family still and I always will. I know that they will always feel the same way about me.  Have we had our ups and downs?  Sure - all families do, especially when you work with each other.  At the end of the day we are all here for each other.  So this was my turn to give back.  Terri is very generous to others and is always there to help lift you up.  She had surgery this week and needed some extra help tonight. She is not good at asking for help from others on a personal level and she wasn't expecting me so I wasn't sure if she would let me help.    I was so thankful at her willingness to let me be there for her.  It is not often I get to do something like this for someone and it made my soul feel good.  I really needed this opportunity and I think Heavenly Father played a hand in making it happen.

I read recently on a friend's Facebook page, "Family is more than just DNA, it is who you have in your life and people who take care of each other".  That is what is so awesome about each of our villages.  It can be made up with people who have the same DNA or don't, but if you love and take care of each other then that is all that matters.  So I like to say family is family is family.