Sisters, sisters... there were never such devoted sisters

The Leath Girls attempt a Mary-Kate/ Ashley pose... I said attempt!!!
Happy Birthday Aunt A!!!
September 25th is an important day in our family. Today we celebrate the birth of my sister. We pulled one over on her this last weekend (as she does not like surprises) and I flew down to spend the weekend with her, my parents, and her beautiful family. The Idaho Girls were not happy with me for leaving them behind and spending time with their AZ family without them. None the less, it was so great to spend time with them all - especially my sister. She is the best sister anyone could ask for!! I tell my own two girls this all the time about their sister (typically when they are fighting with each other) - you will have many friends in your life, but you only will ever have one sister. I have come to think of it like this: in life, ultimately you can pick your spouse and your friends, but your siblings were selected for you by God. That is one of the few relationships "set apart" specifically by Him for me so I will try to do my best to honor her for all she means to me. I love you sis! Happy Birthday! I can hardly believe you are 30 years old today. It seems like only yesterday you were trying to keep up with my on that big hill as I pedaled my bike and you rode your little HOT WHEEL (I know you still harbor feelings on this point - tee hee) . Enjoy your day I will be thinking of you all day.

Thinking of you Jen!

I don't usually do this. A post that does not talk about my Idaho girls (as they are always more interesting than myself), and one that is just about me. BUT it is my birthday today so I am in a bit of a reflective mood, and Jen always encouraged me to write more of what I would talk to her about in my letters on my own blog and I never did. So I am allowing myself to do this today. I have been blessed to have seen 33 birthdays go by after today. My husband woke me up with a hot cup of coffee and a sweet card - you can't start out a day much better than that - thank you Tim! I have so much to be thankful for sometimes I truly sit around and think - surely the other shoe will drop at some point.

Admittedly it has been a tough year for our family, but I know it has been even more tough for others. I pray every day for Tim's grandfather who is mourning the loss of the love of his life - his wife of 66 years. To be loved like he loves her - that is an accomplishment to strive for in life. I pray for Jen's family and the hard days they have had and will have. I miss her so much sometimes - today especially. I have been reading a book she told me about early in this year this week - it is Deanna Farve's story about battling breast cancer- Don't Bet Against Me. It is a great book, and somehow I feel closer to Jen reading it. I allowed myself for the first time in a long time to go back and read some of Jen's blog -www.mangymooseacres.blogspot.com this morning, and it just felt good to be near her. I really do encourage everyone to take a look at what she left behind in her blog - it is such a legacy of how anyone should finish life! I was so blessed to have a friend like her in my life. I look forward to seeing her again someday. I am thankful that God heard all the prayers that went up for her and granted her 8 more years here before He took her home to be with Him forever.

I pray this day finds you able to think of some friend or person in your life who you are a better person for knowing.

Thanks for allowing me this indulgence,

A