dinner with the family

So last night after years of begging my family to initiate a regular family dinner, we started our traditional Sunday dinners with my family. We are going to do it potluck style so the burden isn't on one person. It was a nice time. For a while I did family dinners for Eric's side of the family but I had to always do all the work and provide all the food, which I didn't mind, and still eventually it tapered off and half the family moved away now we see them about once a month unless there is a birthday or Christmas(the only holiday we celebrate together). I was doing a bi-weekly breakfast for my family and that tapered off because my children get up early and cant wait until 10 or 11 for breakfast so now we have no regular family time with either side. I have begged and tried to make it happen on both sides and this past year I gave up completely. No one else ever wanted to do the work to plan it and cook for it and clean up after it so why should I? So when my brain injured brother mentioned get togethers, I again asked if we could try to plan something and it happened. We will see how long it lasts but for now I will enjoy it. Maybe my kids can remain close with some of their family. I really want family, immediate and extended, to be an important thing to my babies and I am hoping this will kindle that. The bonus is that my family is all super helpful so when we have get togethers everyone pitches in ...that whole large family mentality kicks in and we all know that everyone helps and nobody sits until everyone sits. That is my silly thing to be excited about today!

OH and on another note my sister who is due to have her baby, Lilah, one week from today, lost her mucous plug yesterday and was feeling crampy all day. So I am anxious to hear if anything comes of it. She is not planning on letting me know until Lilah is born and she is up for company so I could be an aunt already and not know it. If she didn't end up in the hospital last night I overheard her tell my Mom she has a doctor's appointment this morning so maybe my Mom will leak the details to me! Hooray for new babies!!! This will be my 3rd Niece I am so excited!