Since We Don't Have Our Own...

Besides our darling sugar gliders, Gio and Gucci, Nate and I have yet to begin our own family. We have vicariously lived the journey of parenthood through our brothers and sisters! What a joy our nieces and nephews have been to us! Each with such light and life in their eyes and each with their own tactic for taking on the world with such vivacious enthusiasm.

We want you to meet them!! So, this post is about these most important children in our lives!!

[Aside from this post, however, please view our sisters' blogs as well, to see a much better depiction of these gorgeous children. Links are to the right].

CAMERON

Have you ever seen such a smile? He is my sister, Shannon's, oldest child, at age 5. He has a mind of his own, definitely taking after his mother. He is very intelligent and intuitive for a child his age. He is rarely shy, and warms up to most strangers instantaneously, asking as many questions as he can think of to match his "Million-Words-A-Minute" record.

"Why?" is his favorite.

BROOKE

At age 4, she is a little more reserved. Welcoming Cameron's lead, she is always at his side, taking a more cautious stride to life. But this picture, taken by yours truly, and quite possibly my favorite picture ever [No offense, Nate!], displays her gorgeous head of red hair, to match her fiery Irish personality. Adding defiance and stubbornness to her tenderness, makes her the perfect 'Sweet & Sour' mix.

GRACIE

...is her Mom, Kate's, biggest helper. Being the oldest she cares for her two little brothers like they were her own. While babysitting the other day, I even heard Baby Nate refer to her as 'Mom.' As this picture depicts, she is the sweetest thing around. Her greatest talent in life is to adore everything with kindness, including animals, dolls, grandparents and even children with special needs. Her artistic ability is in close second.

BEN

... is so enthusiastic about everything! I've never seen a child light up like he does. He is so TENDER and sensitive, while still being tough and mischievous! I wish I had his easily excitable nature. Everything presented to Ben in his life is: "WOW!" "COOL!" "YAY!", with his classic wide eyed, open-mouthed expression. It was said of him: "To know Ben, is to love him."

NATE

While looking totally angelic in this picture, "Happy Feet" here is actually a feisty little guy. He can never stand still, and if he is 'walking' somewhere, it's never a simple 'walk'. Its a hop, and a skip, with a jump or a heel click at the end. He is athletic and tough, surely the family's sports star. Lightning McQueen is his best friend.

MATT

... is the classic 'cool big brother', though never TOO cool. He is so sweet with his little sister and protects and includes her. He NEVER tires, always full of energy, and he is almost too intelligent for his own good. Matt is perfectly well rounded.

JAMES

Our blonde-hair, blue-eyed buddy here is Matt's side kick. They are inseparable and get along fabulously. He matches Matt in energy and daring. Although more sensitive, his beats everyone in determination. In the misfortune of a bonked head or a scraped knee, he handles it with a smile.

EMMA

'Fearless' is the first word that pops into my mind when I think of this exuberant 2 year old. She has no trouble keeping up with her older brothers. She has a mind of her own, and I am so excited to see what this "Go Getter' does with her life. She keeps her parents on their toes.

We absolutely adore them and long to live near them all. They make our lives so much more beautiful than they already are. Stay tuned because two of our sisters, Kate & Brooke, are pregnant!! Can't wait to add two more girls to our list of NIECES!

"Who are these children coming down, coming down? Like gentle rain through darkened skies, with glory trailing from their feet as they go, and endless promise in their eyes.

Who are these young ones growing tall, growing strong, like silver trees against the storm? They will not bend with the wind or the change, but stand to fight the world alone.

Rising in their might, to win the battle raging in the hearts of men. Strangers from a realm of light, who have forgotten all, the memory of their former life, the purpose of their call.

And so they must learn why they're here and who they really are.

They must learn why they're here... and who they are."