Family

My family currently consists of my 3 year old daughter and myself. However, her mother physically returns from a military deployment next week! Exciting times, but also, anxious times as well. Our little triumvirate makes up my immediate family here in California. I do have a son that lives in Japan with his mother, a good mother, but a dreaded ex. My girlfriend has a son as well who also lives abroad in Mexico.

The rest of my family resides back east in the states of Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. I was raised by my grandparents, who had three kids, plus my brother and me. My mother was 15/16 years old when she carried and delivered me. Here’s a little side note.  My dad just turned 18 and was sent to boot and then stationed at Ft Leonard-wood, MO. My mom, 8 months pregnant with me, hitchhikes over to Ft Leonard wood to go be with him. Not the safest or smartest thing to do, but that was and is my mom, a little crazy. So the old grandparents said that maybe I would be better off living with them and I would agree. I often wonder how things would have turned out for me if other choices were made on my behalf.

My mom went on to have two more children through another marriage. I now have 2 brothers and 1 sister maternally. They have had 7 boys and 4 girls between them. From what I can tell, no more nieces and nephews are planned, between my siblings. 

My aunt raised two children in north-west Missouri. Both of my cousins are now married with children. One is currently serving in the Air force and has also returned from a mid-east deployment. Good to have him back!

My uncle is currently married and raising two kids in the house I grew up in. A nice little two-story on main street in a small town in southern Illinois. A nice place for kids to grow up in my opinion, but that’s where I grew up.

On the more personal, my family is a very strong one. Very strong with their opinions, but willing to listen (mostly) My family is a family that can be described as loud.  A trait I do not share. All are very hard workers and appreciate the lives they have. Mostly liberal, but support the military enthusiastically. Oddly, a conservative trait by nature. My family is one that loves the “get together” and the drunken induced stories that follow. A trait I do share. All in all, my family is one that works hard, but most definitely plays hard. They are a little rough around the edges, but what can I say, they are my family.