n., pl., -lies.

1. 1. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
   2. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
2. All the members of a household under one roof.
3. A group of persons sharing common ancestry.

My family is the most important thing in my life. I love my family. Like all families, we have our occasional share of drama. However, without a little drama things would be boring. I don't think it would be normal if we didn't have some drama.

I've always been very close to my family. My cousins are all like my brothers and sisters. My aunts and uncles all had a large role in raising all of us. My grandparents are also largely responsible for who my brothers, cousins and I have become today. They taught us that family is the most important thing.

I am thankful for all my family members. In the past year, I've realized just how much I miss my two brothers. Now that we have children of our own, holidays together seem all the more important. It seems we only get to see each other twice a year or so. I'm trying to figure out how to make it a little more often than that. Funny how sometimes not having people live close by makes you really, truly miss them and appreciate how much they mean to you. In the past year, I've learned just how much I miss and love my two brothers.

Facebook helps us keep each other abreast with what is going on in each other's lives. Chatting on webcam and catching up on the phone work too. Despite the distance, it's great to know we can still observe milestones and funny things the kids do. It sort of feels like we're "there" even when we aren't physically there.

Are you close to your family? How do you keep up to date with family?

Anyone else doing the National Blog Posting  Month challenge? If you're crazy like me and have decided to participate in NaBloPoMo, leave me a link where I can find your posts! Happy blogging!



Photo of my amazing family courtesy of Temara Brown Photography.Taken in August 2010 at my cousin's wedding. Definitely one of the greatest weddings we've ever attended! So much fun to have everyone together in one place again!