How I became a Michael

Here is my family picture. We recently had all members of our family together for a family portrait. This will be harder to do as the years go by. I am the oldest of 9 kids. I will list all of them with their age- Jenny (34), Jeff (33), Jason (32), John (27), Josh ( (26), Jess (24), Julie (22), Jim (19), and Joe (18). My parents now have 8 grandchildren with another on the way and only more to come! 5 of us are married now and 3 of us have children.

Needless to say, coming from a large family has been both fun and challenging. I would never want to change it. I have a strong sense of loyalty and unity to my family. They are very important to me and have made me into a responsible parent and wife! God truly blessed me with my family since I am adopted not only once, but twice! Three times if you include being saved.

My mom was told she couldn't have children and had heard about a baby (me) that needed to be adopted. She and my dad adopted me not realizing that she was already pregnant with my brother Jeff. We are 8 months apart. I usually don't tell people that since it is hard to explain. She then had Jason and shortly after that our dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 32. Then the Lord brought Kevin Michael into our lives. He married our mom and adopted the 3 of us and raised us as his children. My mom and dad (Kevin Michael is the only man I refer to as my dad) then went on to have 6 more kids.

So, that is how I came to be the oldest of 9 kids. One of the many things that makes me who I am today.