Valentines Day 8

I love:

My sister-in-laws

This may come as no surprise, but everyday as a little girl I used to pray for a sister. Little did I know that mom and dad had that prayer halted in the form of NO MORE KIDS, shortly after I was born. Oh well, I always wanted my sister to be older anyway (looking on the bright side). Meanwhile, I kept praying. Obliviously a sister never came. I survived, but I have felt jipped all my life. Why I have felt jipped is another story.

Now I have seven- count them, SEVEN sister-in-laws! Miracles never cease! Prayers are answered! Just never how we imagine they should be. Each sister-in-law has been a tremendous support in friendship, and sisterhood to me. They are beautiful inside and out, and each one means something special to me that is all their own.

On my side is Julie, who is married to my oldest brother. On Micks side there is - Lisa, Kala, Breanne, Tawna, Tabbi and Katrina (in birth order). I rarely, if ever, have told each of them that I love them. I felt and expressed such love to one once, and she broke my heart when she divorced my brother. Darn I hate that that event has my heart closed a little! I'm healing slowly.

To list all the reasons why I love each one might give me instant carpel tunnel (blessings grow exponentially), but I want to list one reason I admire each of them for who they are.

Julie-
- Julie has an amazing ability to put up with my brother. Kidding. Or maybe not.
What I admire in Julie is her stalwart work ethic. She is one busy woman taking on the demands of career and family life. Oh, and have I mentioned I love her boys? They are so great. She is a great mother, and her children are proof of her hard work.

Lisa-
-In the few short times I've spent with Lisa, I have felt a close connection to her. I cannot wait to spend more time with her. She is too far away on the east coast. Her humor is what I love most about her. It is intelligent, funny, well placed and witty. I could laugh for hours with her around.

Kala-
-I love that Kala is always up for a good time and that she values play. I admire her ability to join her family together and organize an entire event into a wonderful time for two reasons. First, I trust that her activities will be super fun and inclusive of children, and second, I have no stress worrying about planning a thing! Planning is so stressful. She makes it look like a piece of cake because she's good at it. A truly amazing feat when it comes to the Perkins Clan.

BreAnne-

-BreAnne is Mick's brother's wife. She is honest in everything she says and I admire that in her. There is much to be said about a person who speaks the truth. She will tell you straight up how she feels, or what she thinks. I wish I was better at this sometimes. She is also great with kids and doesn't let them pull any fast ones!

Tawna-
(Here's that picture I told you I'd get to you FOREVER AGO- sorry! Or maybe it was this one-
-I love that Tawna is an outstanding example of womanhood to my daughters. She loves them, spends time with them, gets involved with their joys and their sorrows and demands nothing from them. This is precisely why they love her so much and feel comfortable with her. It is a relief to know that if something should ever happen to me, my children would learn from her what I would want for them to know most. We have similar views and ideals, and I trust her implicitly.

Tabbi-
-Tabbi sets her sights high. She is a great example to me of living life to the fullest, chasing your dreams and achieving what you set out to do. People are important to her and she's always thinking of who would like what, and giving gifts. Sometimes I wish she would just chill instead of running at full speed. Once in a while when I catch a glimpse of her still- she is sleeping.

Katrina-
-Katrina is very talented. I admire her bravery in sharing her talents. She has no fear in putting herself out there. She's an excellent writer, photographer and lover of music. I've known her since she was five and have loved seeing her grow. She keeps me feeling young by sharing all her great stories and adventures.

Thanks for being you ladies! I appreciate your individuality and all that you teach me.