Growing up, our house was always full.

With four brothers, four sisters, and me, quiet was never really an option.

Somebody was arguing.

Somebody was laughing.

Somebody was eating the last piece of something they weren’t supposed to touch.

And somehow we all survived.

Having a big family taught me a lot about patience because everybody is different.

Everybody communicates differently.

Everybody handles problems differently.

Everybody shows love differently.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized family will test your patience unlike anybody else. But they’ll also teach you some of life’s greatest lessons if you’re willing to learn them.

And trust me, with nine kids under one roof, there were plenty of lessons to learn.