my sisters

Sometimes I think little Roma would be okay as my only daughter. Many of my friends are the only girls in their family and I know they have special relationships with their moms and sisters-in-law. But when I think of my relationship with my sisters, I can't help but want that for Roma too. Not just to share a childhood, but to be mothers and raise children together. These women are my greatest examples and my dearest friends. I am so blessed to have them in my life.
My oldest sister Lori is superwoman, I kid you not. You name it, this girl can do it, and do it well. I call her for recipes, computer software issues, handyman questions, decorating tips, etc. etc. She is the mother of 7 kids and the wife to one wild and crazy husband. This past summer, she spent countless hours running a firework stand on top of everything else she does. This sister of mine is positive and selfless. She works endlessly for her family, cooks up amazing meals in the kitchen, grocery shops like the coupon queen and is so happy doing it. I am so grateful for her example in my life. Even though we are 7 years apart in age, I have always felt close to her. She has done so much for me over the years.. These past few weeks Lori and I stayed up waay too late talking and laughing about old boyfriends and fun memories while folding all my dirty laundry :) As if Lori doesn't have enough to worry about when I visit, she is constantly serving me and taking care of my family. She is a second mom to me and such a great aunt to my kids. There wasn't a night we stayed with them that Lori didn't pull out the scriptures and sit down with her crew to read. Her husband was working around the clock and she was holding the fort down at home. I want to be more like her in so many ways! This picture below is Lori's Paisley (4) and Simon who are two peas in a pod. They are two of the silliest (sassiest!) kids you'll ever meet and Lori knows exactly how to deal with Sy-Guy cause she GETS him. Simon just loves Aunt Lori and talks about her all the time. Wish we lived down the street from this awesome family!

Kristy and her family live in Atlanta, GA and we don't see them enough!!!! I pride myself in saying that Kris and I are the most alike. She is the most capable and strong woman I know. She and her husband are working hard getting two daycare businesses running and she is working overtime, all the time. Roma and I were able to fly out at the beginning of the summer and spend some time with their amazing family and had the BEST time. This past year Kristy and their family have taken in two of the most darling girls and raised them like their own... making her crew of 7 a family of nine! I am so impressed her mature and loving children. Aaron can testify that I would pick up and move next to them in a heartbeat. Kristy and I may live thousands of miles apart, but we talk on the phone all the time and always have the most uplifting, powerful and motivating conversations. I call her when I need to vent or when I need advice and she dishes it out like you wouldn't believe. I love this girl and feel so grateful to have her friendship in my life.

Debbie and her girls are seriously a part of our immediate family. We LOVE these women! Deb is the most direct, blunt, sassy girl ever and I love the relationship we have. Yes, we can get in fights too, but that's what makes our friendship so strong. She doesn't beat around the bush about anything. She and I have spent so many hours together... I usually end up staying at her house when we visit because she has an amazingly spacious basement and makes us feel so welcome and cared for. She is a health nut and makes delicious juices and concoctions. I love watching my boys interact with her girls. They are such great little buds! Road trips with Deb are the best. She is always up for a good time and a deep conversation! I seriously wouldn't know what to do without Debs in my life. I love and admire her for her strength and testimony. She is simply the best.

Cindy is a MOM already! It probably won't sink in until I hold little Aubrey myself.. One day we were giving her a baby shower and helping her set up her nursery in Rexburg and a couple of days later, she had a baby!! Aubrey came 4.5 weeks early and is still in the NICU. Cindy was preparing for a natural delivery and was trying to breath through her "braxton hicks" on a quiet Sunday morning. She said she felt like a wimp because they were such strong contractions. Two hours after her first contraction, they decided to head to the hospital to make sure everything was okay--- and what do you know! She was completely dilated and ready to push! This first-timer is TOUGH and more ready to be a mother than anyone I know. She is an amazing aunt to her 35 nieces and nephews (+ a few more on her husband's side). She is a pro with babies and so much fun with the older kids (as you can tell from the picture above, they are playing Spaz in her Rexburg apartment.) I love this picture below because it says so much. These two beautiful girls have such a great journey ahead! I can't wait to swap mothering stories with her. She is such a calm, sweet girl and little Aubrey Mae is so lucky to have such a mom!
Having my mom in Chile has been hard these past 15 months, but having my sisters around has made it totally bearable. I hope to be the kind friend that these women are to me and so many others. Everytime I go home and touch base with my "roots" I realize how blessed I am. I want to give my children the foundation that my parents gave me. I need to do another long post about my 5 amazing brothers and their awesome wives... feeling so grateful tonight for these forever friends. We're missing everyone too much!