Family..

I read a quote just recently. " No matter how poor a man is, if he has a family, hes a RICH man".

That is so so true. Now that I have my own family I see it even more.

Most people know but just in case I will tell the story~

In Feb 1997 my parents, my sister, and I moved to Georgia from North Carolina. God had laid it on my parents heart to move here and help my current Pastor start our church. We moved on a huuge step of faith. At the time I was 7 and Sara was 11. So we were pretty young. Dont remember a whole lot from NC as far as being with my family. The most part was at Christmas us all getting together at my Grandmothers house and celebrating. Oh precious memories! So when we moved here, to me, it seemed like we were starting all over. It sure was an adjustment to us not having Aunt, Uncles, Cousins and even Grandparents around. We just had us 4. We didn't really no any one. We lived in a very small camper for 6+ months. Needless to say, we became a very close nit family. We also lived in a hotel room for 13 days while our house was being built. We were always together. Mama stayed home and watched kids at our house. My family always ate around the dinner table. Most of the time it was 7 days a week. Even when Mama would go get Arbys and bring it home. We set the table and ate there. As you can see we realized the importance of family really quick.

As I have gotten older I have realized that you will have friends and people come and go. Family always stays. Even when you have problems within your family..they still remain FAMILY! You apologize..pick up and move on! Its amazing how God incorporated all of this. When my Grandmother passed away last month we had lots of friends say sweet things..but when family says sweet things it means so much more. I think we all personally hold family to a higher standard than friends. Which I think we should.

I am going off on a tangent..but in a nutshell I am soo very thankful for my family. I am thankful for my precious Husband and wonderful little boy. I sure do love my Godly parents that raised me the way children should be raised. I am thankful for my awesome totally rad sister and brother in law. I cannot leave out, my out of this world Nephew! Hes pretty awesome too! AND..those in laws! I really couldn't have asked God for better ones!My mother and father in law have went over and beyond their duties. Both my sister in laws and my other brother in law and nieces are precious to me too. I sure do miss my distant family. My family in NC. I wish we were closer than we are just so we can watch our kids grow up and know each other. But, this is where God has planted us and we need to grow where we are hear. I also miss my Grandfather. He is my only grandparent not in Heaven. Words cant describe how much I love him! There is just something about grandparents.

Friends come and go, but as long as I have my family I am a happy girl!

As you can see..we have alot to be thankful for. That was just talking about family. Not to mention shoes on my feet..food on my table..a roof up above me..and a good place to sleep!

If you haven't told someone in your family today that you love them..I challenge you to!