Thankfulness Part 3

Next, in this riveting series, I will talk about my sister, Sara. There are so many things to say about her, hmmmm, where do I want to start??!! :p

I love my sister. She is creative, funny, smart and can even be wise every once in a while. (I can't be too generous or her head will swell :)). Sara is a wonderful mother and wife. She loves her girls equally but realizes that they are different and treats them according to their own needs. She works hard to identify how to relate to each one in a way that best shows them how much she loves them. Sara has worked very hard at teaching them how to love each other. Dani and Rach love each other and are so very kind to each other, much more so than Sara and I were to each other while we were growing up. They are not perfect, but they do get along very well. They share and do kind and thoughtful things for each other. I remember when Rachel was smaller and if they were in a restaurant when Rachel had to go to the bathroom Sara would tell dani to take her and dani would say yes and go without complaint. Wow! I don't think I would have ever been that nice! :) I think the way Sara disciplines her girls is one thing I admire most about her.

Also, Sara is funny and tons of fun! I love having inside jokes with her! Ever since we were little we have had them and I doubt that that will ever change! When we were little we re-wrote the words to the song "Oh, Victory in Jesus" and still laugh about it now. In fact, the first time she sang that song in her new church she sent me a text during the service and I about laughed out loud during church! I love meeting her at Starbucks for a nice relaxing way to start a Saturday morning. I have to get up super early to do it and since I am not a morning person, that is hard for me to do, but Sara is worth it :). We sit and laugh, talk about whatever is going on in our lives and of course, our mother :).

Sara is also a fun Aunt to my kids and my nieces as well. She has them over every once in a while and they always have a great time. Aaron is always asking to go to Aunt Sara's for a visit. I'm not sure if it to see her or play with Dani's Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer train set, but either way, he loves it there. Sara is one of a few people that I know will love my children and take care of them as I would. She is particular on what foods her girls eat and I really appreciate that. She set a great example of that for me starting with Dani and it has carried over to my children. We are very different but so very alike at times. We can be a good balance for each other, my compassion and her cold-heartedness :) (Just for you, Sara!) Her sensibility when I get a little whacky. :p

I love my sister and am very thankful that God blessed me by giving her to me. We had a fun childhood while growing up together and I am thankful for all the wonderful memories we have. Here are a few of my favorites:

~Hiding my Dad's special and ugly popintsettia bulb at Christmas time
~Poppop knocking over the Ranch dressing and us hearing him cuss about it! (I still giggle!)
~Wrapping Dad's dirty underwear and socks up as a Christmas Gift
~Playing "Timber" in bed while rolling our tongues
~One word, Sara. Cheerios.
~Sneaking in the basement to watch 90210 and then getting caught
~Watching All My Children together
~"Falling asleep" to Twila Paris blasting
~Mom puotting tape over our mouths because we talked too much at bedtime one night
~Working up enough spit to loosen the tape and then talkking more :)
~Actually having to scrub the kitchen floor one night because we were talking too much (Notice a pattern?)
~Pranking the teen staff boys at camp, one of which I married :)
~Buying make up that Sara influenced me to buy and then getting to keep it because I was honest but Sara got punished :)
~"Chip" from Busch Gardens
~Throwing cups of water off the balcony onto the cars ar Myrtle Beach

I could go on and on but Belle is crying and pulling on me now. Sara, I am very thankful for you and love you dearly. Thank you for all the laughter, prayers and for just being an awesome sister. I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!