Family Love

I have quite a big family. My mom has four siblings and my dad has five brothers. Between all those aunts and uncles I have 15 immediate first cousins and and 12 second cousins (my first cousins kids!). I have spent a lot of time in the past few years with my cousin, Elizabeth, and her three kids (Ryan, Jake and Brooke), my cousin, Megan, and her baby (Lilli) and my cousin, Jake.

They have kept me incredibly busy with everything going on in their lives. To say that they have been life savers would be an understatement.

Elizabeth has been the best "big" sis coaching me through all my adult crises over the past few years. Our relationship has grown so much now that I am in the real world. (We're 11 years apart in age.) And watching her kids grow up before my eyes is unreal. From bottles to full sentences and reading -- I cannot believe how much they have changed.

Megan and Lilli make me smile every day! Lilli just turned one. I can still remember the day she was born, and all the laps Meg and I walked around the maternity wing trying to get her to come out. She has always been determined and does things when she is ready/wants to. She is still this way...even a year later. I have never seen such a beautiful baby, and spending time with her makes you feel so youthful again. Everything is new and amazing again. And hearing her little words, and watching her imitate what you say/do is so precious.

Then, there's Jake. He is 14 and has more talent then I can even imagine. He is the lead singer in his band, and plays the harmonica. He loves Blues music, and does a hell of an impression on The Blues Brothers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blues_Brothers) music. He also imitates Ray Charles (http://raycharles.com/) and sadly all the characters from the TV show, Family Guy (www.tbs.com/FamilyGuy) . He has so much charisma and spunk, and is still your typical teenager. His mentors have called him "an old soul in a young body." You have to check out his YouTube page and see his talent for yourself (plus I created it -- so you know it's good!) www.youtube.com/JakeJamesFriel.