I became a new mom way too young.  People may not realize it but I only play an arrogant full of myself Realtor only online.  I am actually a mom and wife first before anything else.  My whole entire existence revolves around my family.  I learned that from my own parents who instilled that sense of family life in me at a young age.

All of my family has had a profound effect on my children and their outcome because they were so loving and filled with encouragement.

The #1 tribute goes to my husband of 19 years and my babies' daddy:  Mike 

Our first date was Father's Day 21 years ago.  He has been a wonderfully supportive husband, INCREDIBLE FATHER and more than I ever dreamed of.

He somehow managed to attend school, work full time and be a wonderful dad to two small children when he didn't have time.  When the kids were little, he would wear out the knees in his jeans every couple of months because he spent so much time playing with them on the floor.

Mike is completely supportive of all of our dreams (not as much as a realist dream killer like I am!)  Mike is my "back up".  He doesn't have to "pull out the arsenal" when the kids disappoint him.  All he has to do is give them a look and say "I am disappointed."  That is more effective than my logic driven discipline that can go on for days.

Other tributes (not in particular order)

Mike's Dad, Carl.  He was an only child and was so focused on my children (cuz they were the only grandchildren for something like 14 years!) 

They would be the "fun ones" that would teach him how to shoot a BB gun and drive a stick (on their BMW no less.)  The stuff that makes a mother cringe. 

They ended up living to tell the stories and looking back, I shouldn't have cringed.  They managed to raise 4 children between the two of them and they all lived to tell about it so I should have just let go and not get so uptight so many times!

My dad, Bob.  Also the fun one but only "safe" fun.  They would take the kids camping, to cookouts and state parks to give Mike and I small breaks here and there. 

He would chase my son around and squeeze his fat thighs and his nickname for my son was "THICK". 

Heather's blue eyes and striking resemblance to my baby sister would always melt his heart and have him give in to her every wish.  She was his princess

My brother, Brian.  He is "the Godfather" to both of my children.  We are only 13 months apart.  He would come over to the house and play with the kids with my husband so rough. 

They would do things like roll them in a blanket and swing them around until they get thrown in the couch.  One of those other momma moments where I would have to leave the room.

Can't forget all those endless phone calls when his favorite team (Oakland Raiders) was beating my son's favorite team (KC Chiefs) just to tease.

Mike's brother, Tony.  He lived in our basement for two years when the kids were little.  He would baby sit for us on the occasion we had a little extra cash to go out.  He would play so gently with them, not too much rough housing.  He wouldn't get into diaper duty or anything of a great help but just playing with them sometimes to get them out of my hair was enough!  ESPECIALLY when Mike was in school.

My brother in law Lowell.  He is a former Marine and got my son out of the BB gun stage and took him to the range repeatedly to teach him how to use and respect big boy guns. 

He has 4 brothers and no sisters so he always treated Heather so special and delicate. 

Now he was blessed just this year with a little baby girl.  MUHAHHAHAHHAAHAHA  He is now ruined for life!

My soon to be brother in law, Kyle.  Kyle and Lowell are closer in age to my children than us.  My children love both of them for their youth and ability to close the gap between the generations.

Kyle went camping with us last year (during his 3 week internship he stayed with us) and my son and him managed to go rattlesnake hunting with success :shudder:  I did NOT need to know that I camp so close to rattlesnakes.

Kyle is doing his facetious "senior pictures" pose in this one with my sister and nieces. 

We definitely cannot forget the moment when we went out to eat with them last year.  My daughter had a friend that looks like her, my sister looks like my daughter and Kyle looks like my son.  The server thought all five of them were my children..LOL

And then my recently deceased grandfather.  He is missed in a very big way!

The best way to describe my family that they are filled with love and a twisted sense of humor.  We laugh a lot!  I feel very blessed that my children are surrounded by wonderful men (and women) in our family to share experiences I can not share, to share love, laughter and tears too.  My children are very well rounded due to the diversity of people in our lives.