Munchkins

It's no secret that I have always loved kids. I was always trying to hold everyone's babies at parties and other social gatherings. And not to boost myself up, but I was good with them. I could get any baby to stop crying. I started babysitting a family along with my sister when I was maybe nine or ten. From there, I babysat for families in my church, family and eventually my own brothers and sisters started having kids of their own. Each of my nieces and nephews have a special place. I truly think they're the closest you can get to having your own kids (unless you were a nanny like me and was basically a 2nd mom to them as well).

The hard thing for me is that all of our family lives far away so we don't get to see these little guys much. And the more pictures I see, the more I realize they're not so little anymore. I have 12 nieces and nephews. The oldest is I think 10 or 11? I remember holding him in the hospital and falling asleep on the couch snuggling with him! The next three were girls and were all born the same year and they all get baptized this year. Why do they have to keep growing up! They make me feel old.

One thing I'm grateful for is that I will always have those memories of them being tiny and me holding them and loving them. And I'm thankful that since being married, I've been able to add a couple more munchkins to love.

I definitely have a special bond with this little guy. I lived with my sister and her family not too long after he was born. He came into my room every morning and cuddled with me while my sister took the others to school. Look at the costume. Isn't is adorable?

I wish they all could stay little forever!