The holiday season is typically a time of busyness for so many of us. Especially when you have lots of different places to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You have to spend time at your parent’s house and his parent’s house and step-parents and grandparents and… you get the point.
But something you might not know about me… A “fun fact” as we like to call it on our Dollars and Roses podcast.
I am an only child. Yep, I have no sisters or brothers. Well, not by blood. I consider so many of my girlfriends to be my sisters.
Most of my extended family lives up North and Jeff doesn’t have much family that lives around here either. :/
So while most of the world is rushing around to different houses trying to spend time with everyone and their brother (literally)…we are usually chilling at home wondering what this “busyness” is everyone speaks of. Haha!
We used to go up north and spend time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but ever since my grandma passed away we haven’t done that.
Would it be weird of me to say that a little part of me wishes we had places to be and people to see?
I mean, I do love my parents to death (LOOK AT THEM – HOW CAN YOU NOT?), but I miss not having more family to spend the holidays with.
I know that most of you with eight thousand places to be on Christmas are thinking I’m crazy right now. But, it’s true when I say, I wish I had a sibling or three.
Which is why the hubs and I decided that we would just make our own big family.
You might not think four kids is a big number, but to two people who grew up without having to share much? It’s big people.
Listen, neither of us ever had to share a toy…or a parent…or a car. We didn’t have to fight for who was gonna sleep top bunk or who was gonna help mommy cook dinner.
By they way, THIS mac-n-cheese recipe is the bomb.com if you need some comfort food.
My parents didn’t have to split their Christmas funds between kids.
When I circled items that I wanted in the Christmas ads for that year? It meant that my parents weren’t going to have to choose which ones they could get me and which ones they would get my sister or brother. Haha.
Speaking of… this is a conversation I recently had to have with my 3 year old that I am pretty sure my parents never had to have with me.
Me: Just because you circle a toy in the magazine doesn’t mean you will get every single one you circle.
3 year old: Wahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Me want all dem! I on good wist! WAHHHH!
#moneycomprehensionproblems
I love seeing our boys play together because it’s something I never had growing up.
We love when they crawl on the couch and get under a blanket to cuddle up and watch Power Rangers. We love when they run around the house shooting bad guys with their fake guns. We love when they walk out of school holding hands and helping one another get in the car. We love everything that comes with watching these boys be brothers.
It truly is neat to see from the perspective of an only child. I’m in amazement day after day.
It makes my heart happy to know that they will always have each other.
Angie Hamilton says
I have 3 boys. Our motto is “brothers forever.” Love it!!
Christine says
I’m an only child as well. I hated it growing up! I love it now because my two girls( we originally wanted 4 children but God changes our minds) get ALL the attention and I love it! Seeing my daughters interact does make me wish for a sister that I could confide in… Love your blog, vlog, and how REAL you and your husband are
Tina says
I have a little brother who i still see quite often. He used to drive me nuts when we were kids! But now that I don’t see him day in and day out I miss him time to time. It really is great to have a sibiling who will always be there. It makes me so happy that you are providing that for your boys!
Jill Kliebert says
Mandy…I too am an only child. I can TOTALLY relate to this post!!!! I am currently pregnant for my 3rd child (a complete surprise :)) and although the thought of starting over scares me…the thought of having a house full of noise and laughter and mess around the holidays truly warms my heart.
Jenny says
I don’t think you’re crazy at all for wanting to be around family or for wanting a big family. With all the craziness come a whole lot of love and fun!!
Rebbecca says
Aww I am with while I am one of four – It hasnt always been smooth sailing. I am the oldest so my sister (18) and my two little brothers (13 &14) are still at home and about 3 years ago I moved 4000km away to Melbourne. My husband has one brother and his parents are here and while we do christmas together I miss my mum and the going to every relative in town at some point in week of christmas. I know how you feel.
Jill says
There is nothing that made me more happy than turning 18 and NOT being forced to do the Christmas rush.
My parents divorced and remarried, and because of scheduled visitation I no longer enjoyed Christmas because of the whirlwind.
I love getting to choose who I spend my holidays with now, and I love that we do it at one home!