All of my parent’s 20 grandchildren.
Growing up I always had friends. My parents had 6 children in just under 8 years- and there were no twins! By force of nature we had built in friends and companions. My older sister got married early, but then when I got married, 5 years later, it started a landslide and we had 5 weddings in 5 years. Because we are all in the same stage of life we do things pretty much together. From getting married to having children. Of the 20 children you see, 18 of them are 9 or under. 🙂 It makes family gatherings fun and more than a little chaotic.
As parents we work together, watching out for each others’ kids, helping entertain cranky (or happy) babies and entertaining the youngsters when they start getting a little rowdy.
We even take turns walking the kids down to see the newest neighborhood attraction- a baby zebra! {I just love how these little cousins are holding hands!}
Our neighborhood is much like my family. We try hard to work together, to entertain the kids, watch out for each other and help when someone is in need. I feel very blessed to have found myself in this place.
Life is so much more full and happy when we are surrounded by those who love us and have genuine interest and concern for us. The blogging community is another place I have found that same camaraderie.
I feel that there is great power when people- especially women- work together for a greater purpose. When we uplift, inspire and encourage each other.
I would like to challenge each of us to work this week at looking beyond our own personal circumstances and see if there is someone we can help this week. Even if it’s something as simple as leaving a kind comment on a post when you normally wouldn’t or don’t think you have the time. Grow your village. Enlarge your circle of support and love.
Everyone wins when we are working together.
Enjoy your Monday!
xoxo,
Amy
P.S. I am guest posting over on the CSI Project today revealing my kitchen makeover sponsored by Dutch Boy! Head over and check it out here.
P.S. I am guest posting over on the CSI Project today revealing my kitchen makeover sponsored by Dutch Boy! Head over and check it out here.
Tonia @ TheGunnySack.com
June 27, 2011 at 3:11 pmI love that you have a big family! I am from a family of 10 kids and my husband from a family of 9 kids. I love that my kids have cousins and family get togethers are GREAT!!
Leanne
June 27, 2011 at 3:13 pmI love that picture of all the grandkids. Thanks for letting me talk things out the other night. It really helps to get away and get a new perspective, plus I got a project finished.
Jori
June 27, 2011 at 4:00 pmAwesome post! I think it is so easy to get caught up in our own lives, and forget to look for ways to serve, thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Evelene S
June 27, 2011 at 7:32 pmWhat a great post. I love it when women support each other. We all have something to give one another and it enriches our lives and others.
Lorene (just Lu)
June 27, 2011 at 8:39 pmHow fun! My family has 8 kids, but we're spread over 16 years so we're a little bit slower at getting into the same phase of life. We still have fun, though, and so do our kids!
Lil
June 28, 2011 at 1:48 amThanks for this post. We had a conversation along this line at work this morning. I thought it was ironic that I got the email with your blog post the same day.
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
June 28, 2011 at 3:30 amI agree with your thoughts on working together (especially women). I am guilty of not doing that often enough.
Your kitchen looks awesome 🙂
And I have a question… why the heck is there a zebra in the neighborhood?!?