I visited with my parents while Zac was working, mostly looking through old family photo albums. Mom informed me that I’m going to be an aunt for the fourth time. My elder sister, Meredith, is pregnant with her first baby. She’s really excited about it. I am currently an aunt to two nieces, Krystal and Abbi; a nephew, Payton, and a great-niece, Kylie.
Small history lesson: I’m the fourth of five children in a blended family. My eldest sister, Karen, is Dad’s daughter from a previous marriage. She’s almost twenty years older than me. Krystal is her only daughter and a year younger than me. Because we’re so close in age, I used to think Krystal and I were cousins. I didn’t realize Karen was my sister until I was in middle school. Krystal has a daughter named Kylie. She will be three in a few days. Meredith and Carlton are Mom’s two children from her previous marriage (five and four years older than me, respectively). Carlton has two children, Abbi and Payton. Abbi is two, Payton is six months. Emily is the youngest of the family, coming up almost two years behind me. She and I have the closest relationship.
Family Portrait – 1985 Clockwise from top: Mom, Meredith, Carlton, me on Karen’s lap. Center: Dad holding Baby Emily and Krystal. |