If You Don't Like Sappy, Leave Now

As previously determined, we have a weird family. Our immediate family - Hubs, me, four kids (yes, they will always be "kids" to me) and by extension, their spouses and/or significant others. We not only love each other, but we like each other. That is a very important distinction.

Few people can say that about their families. It's sad, but true. There is usually one black sheep, or one person who doesn't get along with the rest of the "kids", or everyone hates Dad/Mom. There are feuds over property, feuds over favoritism, or feuds just to have feuds. There is the "Mom always liked you best" line made famous by the Smothers Brothers. (If you don't know who they are, ask your grandparents, smartasses .) Somehow, at least so far, we've avoided all that. (I will put a disclaimer in here - this was not always the case. Our family had it normal ups and downs when the kids were young and as an only child I was always in fear they would kill each other, but it's amazing how it all worked out - per Hubs' promise. I should have just relaxed and listened to him.)

The youngest daughter made the observation once that all of them had different interests which kept them from competing with each other. That's probably part of it. They really do take pride in each others' accomplishments and support each other 100%. They also each have our family's unique sense of humor. It's warped a bit. We're a bit dark. We're a bit smartassy. But we all understand each other when it comes to it, because we're all the same in that regard. (Occasionally I do pity the spouses and/or significant others when they get caught up in the whirlwind - some, however, can keep up really well on their own! Hense, they are in the relationship they are in. )

The other thing we do is we open up to each other. We tend to talk things out... even if it hurts. Sometimes it has to be said on a blog, but it still gets said and we get it out in the open. We've learned to try and say what we mean and mean what we say... (unless, of course, that smartassy thing gets in the way. )

I love our family. Sappy? Yeah... Hubs keeps saying after that valentine's post that you all probably are getting sick of this. Can't say I didn't warn ya. You know, right up there.... in the title.