For those of you who don't know, my maiden name is Syswerda. So what, big deal, you say? Well, it is a pretty big deal, at least to me. I come from a heritage that few can boast. Grandpa and Grandma Syswerda (Herm and Lucille) bore 13 children. In this day and age there are very few families like this left. Not only are they all healthy, successful adults, they are all following Christ. There are even FEWER families who can say this! So, last night we had a little (this is a relative term) family get together. When everyone is present (only OUR family) there are right around 90 people. HOLY COW!!! Every time someone gets married and comes to the first few get togethers it's always funny to see them try to remember everyone's name. Yeah, pretty much impossible! Anywho...my Uncle Rog and Aunt Joan's 4 kids and their kids were all in town this weekend. This is quite a fete considering they live in Chicago, NY city, South Carolina, and Upland, IN. Good reason to throw a party! It was a wonderful time with people we love and let me tell you, never a dull moment. Imagine at least 50 people as loud (or louder) than me in one space. I remember the first time Jay walked into our Christmas party...He opened the doors and the sound practically blew him over. He looked at me like "Wow, you weren't kidding...". It truly is an amazing thing to be a part of and such an original family who are also close friends, prayer warriors, and just a great support network! I took some pictures throughout the night, none of which turned out very great, but oh well! Try getting 12 kids under 7 to sit for a picture! All 12 kids (13 counting our little Ava Nicole) are grandchildren of my parents and Uncle Rog and Joan. Wow!
Attached are some pics from our evening with some pretty lengthy descriptions!
From left to right: My uncle Rog, my mom in the background, my cousin Eric(Rog's youngest son), my aunt Karel (the youngest of the 13), and my cousin Mark's (Rog and Joan's middle son) wife Kelley.
Shannon (Eric's wife) is on the left with Ethan, Micah, Zeke and Thane eating at the picnic table.
What a bunch of cuties!
A crazy picture of all 12 kids!
From left to right: Owen, Madison, Micah, Zeke, Thane, Zoe, Emmy, Ethan, Brooke, Paige, Elijah, and Noah. WHEW!!
The girls holding Josh and Shelly's new puppy Tico (anyone watch Dora??).
Shannon (Eric's wife) is on the left with Ethan, Micah, Zeke and Thane eating at the picnic table.
What a bunch of cuties!
A crazy picture of all 12 kids! 
From left to right: Owen, Madison, Micah, Zeke, Thane, Zoe, Emmy, Ethan, Brooke, Paige, Elijah, and Noah. WHEW!!
The girls holding Josh and Shelly's new puppy Tico (anyone watch Dora??).
14 comments:
Oh that's just really cool. I haven't a clue. My family is the coolest and I love them. However, they're spiritualist, and though they're now entirely fine with my being a Christian I just have no idea what it's like to have a family member who pray's for you. It's not anything I miss because I know no different... but also... I'm an only child. Two completely polar opposite pieces to what you just wrote about... you explaining your family... my circuits are kind of shorting out right now. I don't get it. I gotta go take care of that.
OH What a blast for you! I remember going home for Thanksgiving with you one year and it was at the CHURCH because your family was so big. I remember thinking..YOUR house isn't big enough for a family dinner? COME ON! THEN..I met your WHOLE family! Ok! For one of the ONLY times in your life..YOU are NOT exagerating! YOUR family could re-populate the planet in the event of something catastrophic! ANd...they'd ALL be blonde and beautiful:)
Every time I see pics of your children though, I realize just how long it's been since I saw them last! Boo Hoo Hoo:( Emmy looks like a long and lean teenager and Zeke looks like he's about six! Sweet Ligha never changes though! Thank goodness! He just keeps becoming larger versions of himself:) Love ya! Amanda
Wow! What fun to see all of the kids, but I need more details about which kids go with which parents. After all, I went to Lakeview (jr high and high school) with the "Syswerda boys."
Sounds like you guys had a good time!! LOVE the pictures of all the kiddos :)
You'll have to stop by my site and read about my morning, it was a doozy!
Hey Jaena! I knew someone who went to school with them would want more details! Thane is Todd and Dara's (they also have a little girl just born in Guatemala they are adopting!). Brooke, Micah, and Paige are Mark and Kelley's. Madison, Ethan, and Owen are Eric and Shannon's. Erin isn't married yet but brought her significant other- Web- to meet the fam!
Wow, and I thought my mom's side was BIG!!! That's great though...looks like you had a fun time getting together.
It looks like the Syswerda's have us Grates beat in the number department. I used to be able to tell people that we had over 100 people at reunion but last year I think there was a mere 27 and most of them live next to each other. Hopefully you and Jason can make it this year. They are having it on Saturday all day.
Looks like you had a wonderful time together! (And a beautiful day as well). Aren't family reunions wonderful?
Hey Hol! I can't believe how old Zeke looks with that summer cut. I know I'm repeating myself but every picture I see makes me panic. He's growing up so fast. I agree with Amanda, Elijah has looked exactly the same since he was 1 year old. He fools you into not realizing how big he's getting because his look always stays the same. Then there's the little princess. She's so cute in that final picture. So innocent looking...to bad we know better. :) Can't wait to have her next weekend. Love you guys!
Hey, Holly....
Aw, aren't ya'll cute? My mom just sent me a blonde e-mail. I'll have to forward it to you. :) I'm glad I had a chance to see the pictures. Of course, your kids are adorable. It's been rediculously long since I've seen them. We'll have to get them together with my kids and get some brown in the picture! hee hee... Love ya... Thanks for sharing!
Sher! So glad to see your comment! I totally agree about getting all the kids together, they'd love it!
And people think I'm crazy for wanting a big family! I think it's so awesome. Kris and I come from relatively smaller families. Do me a favor Holly and ask your grandmother how she did it with 13 kids. Wow! She must be a remarkable woman!
Hey Holly! Just wanted to thank you for your note of congratulations. You, Jason and your family are in our prayers. Church planting is such a challenging thing! Take care!
Holly and Jason,
I thought I would make a suggestion for a possible job. If you have a rehab agency in your state that provides money to help people get jobs you may want to start looking at local vendors that receive money to place people with disabilities in employment. With your background and your desire to help people you may look into a job coaching position. You have a degree, you have been in the ministry where you need to breakdown the message into understandable language for individuals of all levels. A job coach in non religious minister, they teach and assist people in learning how to do a job in the community. You breakdown the steps and you demonstrate how to work within the rules of the workplace. Just a thought in most agencies in Ohio a job coach a good one can make $12 to 20.00 an hour. Hey just a thought,I have hired preachers before.
Carolyn
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