Malachi Joseph

So I'm an uncle again!! Joe and Natalie had their third child - Malachi Joseph. I haven't talked with Joe yet, but from what I've read, this child is a miracle. He was born over in Africa so their medical isn't that great compared to the states. When he was born, the cord was wrapped around his neck and was in a knot. But everything is fine and he's a healthy little boy!! But this is also hard for me too. I'm not sure if anyone even understands why except my family - but I've been at the hospital for the birth of all my nieces and nephews. But I won't see Malachi until he's about 11 months old.
I learned something over Christmas break that is huge in my life. My time with my family is huge for me. I love my in laws, they are incredible and couldn't ask for better in laws, but nothing can beat your family! I love getting to be with them and just spend time with them and I think too often people take for granted that family is always there. I guess it's not something we learn until our family is no longer close to us. I don't really have a main point in writing this other than to let people know about Malachi. But also to let ya know that I'm at a stuck point in my life. I know my brother is doing what he's supposed to be doing and there are missionaries all over the world that leave their families in the states. I just never thought that the family left here would struggle with it. Now that I'm on that end, I see that it is hard and I'm sure it's hard for my brother to be away from everyone. I've always had the dream of being an uncle like my Uncle Steve was to me. We had a cool relationship and felt like we were buddies and he called me "partner" and we wore the same hat when we were out on the boat. Just memories like that with my uncle, I want my nieces and nephews to have with me. Who knows what is in the future for our family, but I'm just trying to trust God's plan for all of it. Maybe we'll just have to have kids so I can have kids in my life to love and spoil :-) I think I need to take Vivian for a day (my niece in Indy) so I can get my fix!