Mi Familia

This is Auntie Holly and little Sarah--my 8 year old niece. She came to visit me for the Fourth of July weekend--this picture was taken as we waited for the fireworks to go off!

I have a tradition I started about four years ago. Each summer a different niece or nephew (I have 6) come to spend a weekend with Auntie Holly. This year was Sarah's turn--next year it will be Max's--he's the youngest. Then we'll start over again with Ashley--my oldest niece. By then she'll be 18--too cool to hang with Auntie Holly? I hope not!

But this picture is just a glimpse into a much bigger, grander and more beautiful picture, and that is the picture of FAMILY!

I have SUCH appreciation and LOVE for my family. In the years I spent working with at-risk teenagers, and families that are at best dysfunctional and at worst completely falling apart, I gained a new and unwavering respect, love and thankfulness for my family! As all families go, mine has it's quirks, but that is what makes my family my family--and I love them all. I don't have pics of all of them at the moment--but they'll all make it on to the blog eventually. In the meantime, let me introduce to you the FAMILIA MEADOWS...

There is the patriarch--my gentle, sports-loving outgoing entrepreneurial father--Howard Meadows
The Mamacita (as I like to call her)--my creative, efficient and beautiful mother--Debby Meadows
The Oldest--my big sister Debbie ('little Debbie') is 5 1/2 years older, and she is the 'mamacita' of Ashley (age 16), Ryan (15) and Joel (9)
The Crazy One (well, we are all crazy...) my other older sister (3 years older) Jenni is the mamacita of Heather (10), Sarah (8) and Max (6)
Then there is ME--the middle child! You know what they say about middle children. :o)
My L'il Sis...the one I tortured in her sleep and sat on and tickled (gotta love being a big sis) is Michelle--'MnM'. She is 5 1/2 years younger, lives in Colorado with her husband Chris and is the mamacita of 2 cats, Kenny and Kelly!
Then there is the BOY. Finally a BOY! My little (but much taller) brother is almost 21 (his b-day is Thursday!), and is a junior in college. He can do an awesome Jim Carrey impersonation and is a talented musician! He is not the mamacita or papacita of anyone or thing (thank goodness).
Finally there is Kelsey the Sheltie dog--if she's still alive. She is at least 13 years old and on her last legs (literally) but she still is loving and happy (it always looks like she is smiling!)

That's my familia! If you are reading familia, I love ya!