THIS IS US

(right now)!

by Josiah Martin

So baby Elise, welcome to the world!  

Now this world is very big.  

It is very complicated.  

There is a lot going on in it.

So this book is to show you the basics. 

This is your introduction to the world. 

First, and most importantly,

 This is us!

Dad

Mom

Colin

Sofia

Max

Baby

Each of 

us is special.

Each of us likes different things.

Dad loves to play guitar way too loud.

Mom loves to get bagels and go for long walks.

Colin likes to throw things, and kick things, and jump on things.

Sofia likes to read, be read to, and play with her lovies.

Colin likes to throw things, kick things, and jump on things.

And this is our city.

This is our home.

We love it here.

Sometimes we complain that is too small, 

or too hot 

(or cold)

We think we'll find somewhere better and be happier there.

But we never leave.

Because in the end, this is our home.

Now, something you will find out pretty fast is that things can be pretty crazy around here. 

Sometimes we are running to things 

(like school, work, or Indiana). 

A lot of times we are late to things.

Sometimes we want to do different things and we spend so much time arguing that we run out of time to do anything!

Sometimes we rush through day.

Sometimes we leave our house a mess

Sometimes we leave ourselves a mess, too.

Sometimes we fight.

Sometimes we say things we don't mean.

Sometimes it's really hard.

Remember how everyone likes different things?

Well, when you have different people who like different things. Sometimes it's hard to agree on what to do.

Sometimes it can feel like chaos.

Sometimes we can be sad.

But what you will find out as you get to know us, is that even though we like different things and we sometimes want different things. 

We all like one similar thing

 - each other!

In the end, we are a family! And we forgive each other when we fight or say things we do not mean.

We find ways to compromise and do something together.