This is us. We are (currently) 22 individuals with different likes, dis-likes and view points. It is amazing how families all are formed, grow and exist. But in the end, though grouped together, whether by choice or birth, we are individuals, learning how to be a family. Heavenly Father planned it that way to provide opportunities to grow. We, the individuals of the Cowley Clan, are still working on the part about being a group, and 99.99 % of the time, we succeed.
Here are our individuals we call family:
Wayne, the oldest, the Patriarch, but not always the leader. He loves his grand children and finds his greatest pleasure in playing with them, teaching them and watching their development.
Ann, the Matriarch, and the silent, quiet boss of all. Her life revolves around making sure things are smooth and quietly counsels those that make things less smooth. Teaching her family the secrets of being patient and kind are her strengths.
Kevin, # 5 son, always the peace maker, always the jokester, always the hard worker, always the one that is easy to talk to. He only drops a child occasionally.
Megan, Kevin's wife. The last daughter-in-law to join the clan. Kind, patient, business and computer savy, observant and quick to find a way to help.
Batman, Kevin and Megan's first. Rambunctious, amazed at everything around his growing world of understanding, a joy to cuddle and a strain to keep up with. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Luke, #1 son. Gentle, kind and patient and yet a powerful leader in the family. Skillful at everything he undertakes. Always ready with a smile.
Bethany, Luke's wife and 2nd daughter-in-law to join the clan. The main organizer behind this recent gathering. Skilled at anything she decides to take on and a strong mother that manages a household of girls.
Strawberry, Luke and Bethany's first. Loves to learn. A sensitive leader of the kids. The first to sense a need in another child and respond to it. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Apple, Luke and Bethany's 2nd. A tiny bundle of wiggles and giggles. Every child she meets is her friend. Very competitive, yet very sensitive. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Mango, Luke and Bethany's third. Now knows how to walk and goes everywhere. A cuddler extraordinaire. Wants to be like her big sisters, yet strongly independent. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Jared, #2 son. Travels his own path. A leader. Sports-aholic! A patient, gentle dad. A leader in the Cowley Clan that supports family gatherings.
Angi, Jared's wife and first daughter-in-law to join the Cowley Clan. Very independent, gentle mom. Very creative and a good seamstress. Busy with work and managing a house full of 4 kids.
Superman, Jared and Angi's first. Bright, sensitive, computer savvy. Great to sit and discuss things with. Very deep contemplative boy. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Bananas, Jared's and Angi's second child. Very giving and kind to others. Sensitive to the needs of others and yet walks her own walk. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Oranges, Jared's and Angi's third child. The only grandchild Grandma has witnessed the birth of. Cuddler extraordinaire, wants to do everything her older cousins and siblings do, yet independent. Loves to tease. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
The Hulk, Jared's and Angi's 4th. If there was a John Wayne in the family, this is him. Straight out of the movie, "Quiet Man". Cuddler, quiet and observant, does things when he wants. Almost got walking down. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Jed, #3 son. The middle man. Loved by all the nieces and nephews. A strong and firm opinion in the family that sees deeply into any situation. Tends to see things more broad mindedly than most, yet true to strong values. Our East Coast Boy
Kate, Jed's wife and our # 3 daughter-in-law. Bright, sensitive, observant and quiet, yet strongly expresses self when needed. Cuddler of kids. World savvy and compassionate to those less advantaged.
Sean, #4 son. Strong family man. Works hard for his family. Walks his own path and is comfortable sharing his thoughts. Fiercely loyal to family. Scares his mother to death with his motorcycle racing.
Amanda, Sean's wife and 4th daughter-in-law to join our crew. But, she is the longest known of any daughters-in-law. We have known her since she was 14. Loving mother and wife. Leader in the family in cake decorating. Greets life with a smile.
Captain America, Sean's and Amanda's 1st child. Loving cuddler. Very competitive and yet very sensitive. Wants to please. Tries anything and loves to learn new stuff. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
Peaches, Sean's and Amanda's 2nd child. Friend to all. Loves make-up. Inventive and creative. Sitting still and waiting is not for her. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!
There you have the crew that make Wayne and Ann happy and satisfied. These wonderful people we feel blessed by as we revolve around the family structure we call The Cowleys!! This was a wonderfully fulfilling to us holiday. Now cruise through the following blog entries to see just a sampling of our holiday.
Very meaningful!.... I admire yours and my wife's ability to pinpoint good qualities of others. She is so good at it with me and you always praised me to death growing up, which is probably why I have such a big head today. I'm awesome. Do you remember the certificates you used to leave on my bed for me to find? You would put some cheesy graphic of an opera singer declaring how amazing I was as a son. thanks for your love Papa!
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