Siblings

I am not too sure why but as of late I have found myself thinking a lot about siblings. I know that I have been blessed and that I am very fortunate to have five brothers and one sister. I love coming from a big family. Don't get me wrong, it has its ups and downs filled with many mixed emotions, but I would not trade it for anything in this world. What I love the most is that we are all close knit and that feels good. I think that is why my heart breaks for Ryder--because I want him to have that so bad.
Growing up, there were many times we did not get along--that comes with the territory. My youngest brother Ronny would come with me everywhere.  My friends adored him.  My sister lives in Idaho and there have been so many times that I had wished we lived closer. I would love to go to lunch and go over and hang out at her house. I ache for that at times. It is nice because when we go to Idaho we always get together and we always talk at last once a week. Let me tell you about my little brother Don (I call him Donny)- I have always felt protective of him, I tell Rick that I feel like I am his mom. When he got married, I was sad and my heart broke. I remember at the time that I told Rick that I felt like a mom losing her son. I can't even think about the day Ryder gets married.  He always texts me on Mothers Day & says "Happy Mothers Day" and he always checks in to see how we are. I love that & I love that bond that we all have. I enjoy when my other two brothers Jeff & Rocky check in. I am blessed that Rocky trusts me to take his kids when he needs me to watch them. It is fun to hang out with Jeff when we go to Idaho to visit.
Now that we are all grown and married I have been lucky enough to have wonderful sister in laws & a brother in law.
I look at Rick and his siblings and the tight bond and friendship that they have--it is neat to see. I feel in life that people come and go so it is important to nurture and maintain relationships with your siblings. I love my family with all my heart and I know that I have been blessed to have them in my life.

Our Bugga

Ryder

I have so many thoughts that I just do not where to begin with this post. I know that I am blessed to have been able to give birth to Ryder and to raise him. When Rick and I found out that we were pregnant we were thrilled. We started calling the baby Ryder before we even knew what we were having ( it is a good thing we had a boy). Rick used to race motocross so I think that is why he liked the name so much. I always wanted a boy.  I truly think that it is because my little nephew Mason was so full of mischief and naughtiness but yet such a good little boy. I also would hear fun stories from my good friend Emily about her son Dallin. I just remember always thinking it would be so much fun to have a little boy. He was a tough baby because he did not sleep very well at all but now he is almost four and just perfect.  I never knew you could love someone as much as I love Ryder. I love him more than words can express. My heart breaks at times for him because I want so badly for him to have siblings. There are a few times when I will be walking outside & he will ask, "mommy are we having a baby today"? I have to tell him not today and I am not sure if that day will ever come. Rick and I both come from large families and what a blessing that has been. It is so much fun to have family gatherings and to have that bond. I have four brothers and one sister, they are some of my best friends. My birthday was the other day and my brother Donny called and texted a few times to make sure I was having a good day--I loved that. We have each others backs and we love each other--that is the way it should be.  I want Ryder to be able to experience that relationship with siblings more than anything. I know I hold him a little closer because he is all I have right now.

Let me tell you about Ryder. He may be shy when he doesn't know you but that little boy is so fiesty at times that it makes a mommy proud. He is very smart and I always tell Rick that he takes after him. He loves to push the limit as of late--that does not go over well with Rick :). He loves to play with his friends. We have been very fortunate to live in a neighborhood where there are some little boys that he loves to play with.  He knows how to ride his bike without training wheels and boy is he fast. He is a total boys boy and oh so sweet at the same time, and I am proud to call him my son.