There are twelve of us in the immediate family: six adults and six children. We grown-ups are all friends; we love each other dearly. And the cousins, well, they are absolutely ecstatic whenever they get together. My home is on the small side, so all of us together makes for a very cozy gathering. Very cozy. Some might call it chaotic.
Coming from the kitchen after seeing to the final dinner prep, I stood in the doorway drinking in the scene in the living room:
- my wonderful sons, engaged in conversation, deepening their brother-bond
- my two beautiful girls, sharing an armchair, talking and giggling madly
- all six of my littles, their toys strewn EVERYwhere, laughing, running, hugging, sharing
It continued through dinner - the stories, the laughter, the happy chatter.
The highlights?
- the lovely prayers lifted up by the little ones before we began our meal
- Josh telling his crazy fat raccoon story, every child in rapt attention
- Eisley guffawing that wonderful belly-laugh of sheer delight at the conclusion of said fat raccoon story
- Liam explaining how he planned (with my help) to make a brain out of yarn
- the way my kids love their nieces and nephews as if they were their own
- the deep love that showed itself as we sat around the table enjoying lasagna and family
