Nieces and Nephews are sorta like Grandkids!





Lainey and Owen



I'm sure everyone has heard the saying, "If I knew grand kids were this much fun, I would have had them first!"  And/or, "Grand kids, you can spoil them and sent them home!"  Well, it has come to my attention that this is also true for nieces and nephews!  My sister-in-law, Sarah, beautiful name, and her family stayed with us for a couple of weeks recently with her son, Owen,3, and daughter Abbie, 1, oh, and of course, her hubby Duke.  Believe it or not, it was a joy to have them here.  Eight people under one roof, a two bedroom house, wow, so this is how my grandparents felt growing up!  Grandma had 7 siblings, Grandpa had 8, Dallas's dad had 6. Needless to say, there isn't enough Xanax in the world that will convince Dallas and I to become the next Duggers!



Madeline and Abbie



I remember when I had my kids, my parents always worried that the girls would not remember them because they lived so far away.  I reassured them that Madeline and Lainey could never forget them.  Of course, even with this situation at the forefront of my mind, I sometimes feel the same with Owen and Abbie!  So, getting to spend this quality time with them, instead of the short weekend visits, was important to us all.  Owen is 8 weeks younger than Lainey, which makes them great playmates, then you have Madeline that is 4+ years older.  When there is a baby in the house, Madeline goes into babysitter mode.  She loves to play, feed and snuggle with them.  While they were here, I couldn't wait to get off work and play with them.  We took them all, plus another to the carnival.  Before you think I am crazy let me tell you, it was a blast!  They would decide on a ride together, then took turns riding with each other. All in all, the two weeks went by smoothly, but fast.  It was sad to see them go, but we were all ready for our old routines again. 





Together, Dallas and have 1 niece, Abbie, and 6 nephews, Ryder, Owen, Gage, Jaden, Sergei and Eli.  Two of which, we have never met, but are hopeful that someday soon, when the time is right, we will.  I guess nieces and nephews are also like Lays potato chips, you can't just have one.  As happy as I am for the ones we have, I am still sad for the ones we don't.  Jeremy and Brandon have started the necessary papers to begin adoption procedures.  I just typed my referral letter to help out.  My heart and soul go out to them.  They wish to be parents so badly, and from watching them with my kids, I know they would be wonderful at it.  They are not only great uncles to Madeline and Lainey, but to their friends' kids as well. I know in my gut it will happen for them, and that girl/boy will be the most loved, cherished and cared for kid on the block!  Not only by their parents, but by their Aunt Sarah as well.  Aunt Sarah sends you hugs and kisses until we formally meet. Know you are loved!



Jeremy, Brandon and Lainey