siblings – Living, Loving, Laughing….

Sydney came along when I was about 22 years old. She was planned and I was happy to see her little red face when she was born.

I really thought I would have more. I wanted more. But that just wasn’t God’s plan.

So instead of blessing Sydney with siblings, she became an only child.

And truly, it has been great. She became very independent and responsible at a young age.

I’ve told you before she doesn’t get into trouble. She was a little hyper for a few years of grade school. That was probably the hardest time I had with her. But she calmed down with ADHD medicine. Then, she grew out of that. Thank goodness!

Now, Sydney has two half-brothers, and two step-sisters.

According to Wikipedia. Because her half-siblings and step-siblings came along to late in her life (her fist half-brother was born when she was 12).

Technically, she is still an only child.

And that is fine with me, I know I gave her undivided attention, and care. Keeping up with one is pretty easy. I figured this out when my step-daughters came along.

Only children don’t have playmates, but I don’t think Sydney was lonely. She just hung out with all the adults. She seems very adjusted, not bratty, or bossy (as some stereotypes suggest of only children).

When she became a sister, I was VERY happy for her to finally have a brother. Then, the lucky devil got to take on two step-sisters. Everyone knows, a girl’s gotta have sisters. Then her second brother was born to her step-mom this summer.

Exciting stuff! From none to four.

She doesn’t see her brothers very often (they live in Mississippi), but her sisters certainly let her experience what it’s like not to be an only child.

She gets to argue, share the bathroom, mimic, sing, and play games with them. They may be far apart in age, but it’s not really much different from normal siblings.

Even down to the tattling……

This makes me laugh, not just for the content (her icons are hilarious), but what it represents: the fact that Sydney really knows what it’s like to be a big sister.

It was pretty dark in the living room (I think). Maybe, she was just chewing her fingernail?

The important thing to remember is big sister is always watching.

As the youngest of four, I was the baby of the family. I had to move fast to keep up with my brothers and sister, if I didn’t, I might get left behind (actually that happened at a grocery store).

We were country kids that played in the fields, and walked a mile to the quickie mart. Mom demanded respect, manners, and kindness to animals, but most of all – don’t ever embarrass her.

I had to endure nicknames as a child. I think Brat was my first one, but my second, Little Arthur. It kinda stuck. Don’t ask, I have no idea.

My brothers christened me with that name when we were out in the yard playing fumble football. You know….the game where whoever grabs the ball gets tackled? Yeah, I never had the ball. If I did……I fumbled. Heh.

My sister is the oldest- back row. My oldest brother is on the left, and then my other brother on the other end. His daughter stands next to him. And Mom in the middle.

Mom – mother of four kids about 9 years apart. She had us all in her twenties. Phew! I get tired just thinking about that.

This picture was taken last month during a visit to Oklahoma. It was the first time we have all been together in a year (and last year was only because of my wedding).

It’s really hard to get everyone in the same town, which is why we don’t have many pictures as adults.

My sister lives in Houston. I’m in Dallas. One brother is in Tulsa, and the other is the only sibling that stayed in our hometown. We all work full-time and have kids to keep up with.

I had to capture this rare gathering for my mom. Unfortunately, I forgot my tripod. The camera was a little helter skelter on the picnic table – just barely hanging on.

But we got it.

From left to right – Jay, Little Arthur, Mom, Deedy, Laney, and Lonnie.