Lori

One week ago I did a post called Brothers and Sisters and it was all about that sibling bond that starts early and never stops. Now I feel compelled to write about family again and the importance of siblings and even about that sibling bond. But it doesn't stop there. Now I'm going to go into what a blessing that bond is and how extraordinary the relationship is when you have siblings like Lori.

I went on and on about my skin cancer journey and that I had surgery on October 14th. That surgery meant no bending, stooping, or lifting for 5 to 10 days. That wouldn't be significant except it coincided with Beth's no lifting restrictions that began when she delivered Clara by Caesarean Section on October 1st. That wouldn't be that significant either because Brian had paternity leave from work. Unfortunately though he didn't have paternity leave from his very important and expensive MBA classes in Chicago that take up two late afternoons and evenings every week. That's where I'd come in and help out - except all of a sudden I couldn't.

Lori and Teresa visited from Nebraska and Colorado respectively (and together) a week after Clara was born. At that time Lori and Beth worked out a plan. Beth would buy the ticket and Lori would get on a train and be Beth's nanny/buddy/helper for a week.

Who does that? Who leaves their family and all their responsibilities not to mention their new blog that's just getting rolling to help out somebody who needs them. Only a sister.

While she was here, she did it all including checking out her oldest niece's baby bump.

And checking out and holding her youngest niece (and the reason for the visit).

But she didn't stop there.

She cooked and cleaned.

And sewed some patches.

And took a lot of pictures for me.

Because that's who she is. She's the one that picks up my camera constantly and catches the shots that I might have missed. And she's the one who takes the pictures but isn't in a lot of them.

She's more than that too. She's the loving big sister of all her siblings. She's innovative and wise and loving and oh so much fun!

We went to the casino one night - Mr. Right, Lori, Amy (her counterpart), and me and, I have to say it's been a long time since I've laughed so hard. Lori has a sense of humor that just won't quit. She's one of the wittiest people I've ever known.

Monday I volunteered to drive her to Union Station in Chicago so she could catch her train. I didn't want to see her leave but I wanted a little bit more time with her and it was wonderful.

But all too soon she was picking up her bags and walking away. I missed her right away and although we texted during her 10 hour trip home, it wasn't the same.

I just hope she realizes how much we appreciate what a giving, loving, wonderful person she is.

And I hope she comes back soon.

She may be the oldest but she's one of 0ur babies and we love her so much and we're incredibly proud of her!

Brothers and Sisters

In my family there were two girls and two boys. Therefore both my brothers had a brother and my sister and I each had a sister.

In Harry's family there were two girls and a boy. Each of the girls had a sister but Harry never had a brother.

When we dated and when we were first married we talked about this and in our naivety we decided that we would keep having babies until each boy had a brother and each girl had a sister. I guess this helps explain our large family. But not completely.

Because God heard us and and right away blessed us with two girls about 19 months apart and then twin boys. When our oldest was 3 1/2, we had four children and loved every minute of it.

But, deep down I knew there would be more. After all, there were some girls' names that I loved that we hadn't used yet so God blessed us with Beth and Sarah.

I loved having a sister and I loved that each of our children had a counterpart - somebody to be best friends with through thick and thin. If they had a fight, neither one could go home - they had to figure it out.

So I've always been a big proponent of large families and nothing sweetens that pot like an even mix of boys and girls.

Therefore when Clara was born she seemed to round out the family perfectly and nobody felt it more clearly and obviously than Anna.

Because already the bros were starting to act like bros. They sure start young.

And that bond goes on and on.