Half Brother's Dad's Other Son

Let me explain before I get into my post. My older brother, is a half brother. Although I never think of him this those terms, he is just my brother. His dad lives in Kaysville with his wife, who he married after our my mom and his dad divorced, they had 3 more kids, and our mom married my dad and had 5 more kids. Which I am the result of. My brother lived with us, and the 4 others besides us until '91 ish, when my parents divorced. He went to live in UT with his dad and step mom. We lived with our dad in NV. Until '95 when I moved here, in with my brother, and my dad moved to OR with the other 4. Over the years I got to know The Larsen's really well. I consider them my family. I don't know what I would classify them as. Not a mom or dad, not an Aunt/Uncle. I don't know, but they mean more to me than just family friends. Their youngest just got home from his mission 2 weeks ago, and we (by we, I mean me and the kids. Bishop was out of town, so husband had to conduct. And I figure, I do this by my self every other Sunday, what difference does it make if I'm in my ward, or some place else) to hear him report his mission.
So today I am grateful for missionaries. I also have a sister , The youngest of the family, on a mission in Chicago. Have you ever sat in when someone gets set apart to go on a mission? It is an awesome experience. There is something amazing about a young man or woman, willing to give up 18- 24 months of their life, to go and teach people about the gospel. You would have to KNOW it is true to be able to share your testimony in a way that another could feel it. This young man, had such an strong testimony. I am truely grateful for the opportunity to be apart of their family. I have also seen the growth in my sister over the past 9 months. She will come back a better person for having sacrificed that time to help others. I look forward to the time when my husband and I can go and do the same thing together.
And for a DS tidbit. I am going to link you to a site that helps place families looking to adopt, with kids looking for homes. There are so many people that WANT to adopt kids with DS. Not just being willing, but wanting to. I think it is absolutly amazing.