A blessing for my children

Those of you who have close family near your young children know that when people say “It takes a village to raise a child” it really is true. It becomes even more apparent when you add another child. As parents we give and give and give. Raising children is the hardest job in the world, but the one you love the most. Neither my husband nor I would trade it for anything in the world - even when Jack is up at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday begging us to watch Phineas & Ferb or when Ella lets out an “I’m hungry” cry at 3 a.m. The second your child laughs or smiles at you with sheer delight or hugs you with all their might being tired simply doesn’t matter.

We are blessed to have one set of grandparents nearby and Jon’s youngest brother Josh. I don't know what we do with out them. So, I thought it was time to pay due to those we rely on so heavily.

Papa Joe and Lala host sleepovers and babysit when asked. Whether its an hour for me to go get a pedicure, a few hours to clean the house without having to tend to the kids, or a date night this set of grandparents really comes through, often at a moments notice. Over the summer Jack would play in the pool, Lala would tend to Ella and mommy would get a nice nap. Lala continues to help when she can on days that Jack is at the firehouse so I don't have to put Ella in daycare any sooner than necessary. Jack enjoys rough-housing with Papa and doing little projects like painting or reading with Lala. He loves all of his grandparents so much- I wish they all got to visit with him as regularly as Papa Joe and Lala do.

On to Uncle Josh. Uncle Josh is one of Jack’s favorite people in the whole world and Ella has taken quite the liking to him as well. Uncle Josh helps with all sorts of things when it comes to the kids. He helps on days when Jon is at the firehouse and I am at work. While on maternity leave this summer I was a bit overwhelmed with both the kids by myself on days Jon was at the firehouse, thankfully Uncle Josh would take Jack outside to play at the splash park or to the movies. He let me rest and focus soley on Ella for a few hours and I am eternally grateful.

Jack gets so excited when we tell him he gets to see Uncle Josh or ride in his big truck. He calls his uncle is friend and I hope as both he and Ella get older, they will continue to view him that way. He is truly selfless when it comes to helping with them. One day he is going to make a great dad. Watching the way the kids interact with Josh makes me wish my sister and Jon’s other brother lived closer. I want so badly for Jon and me to have that relationship with our nieces and for Jack and Ella to know Uncle Rick and Aunt Jess and Aunt Amy that well. I hate that in today’s world families live so far apart; because of this I treasure time with out of town family more than have before.