My Sister

 I have an older sister.  She's been there for me, since the very beginning.

We spent our childhood playing house and having tea parties.  

She was older.  She led the way.  

She taught me all of the important sisterly things that I needed to know about life.  

She was a bit on the bossy side.  But that's the way she was supposed to be... being the oldest and all :)

She was always there for me, for all of the important things in life.  I mean, who else would be willing to hold the Rainbow Brite balloon, so it didn't hit you in the face, when you were smiling for the camera?

We spent our summers, playing all together, outside nearly every day.  We would swing, and play pretend, and then go and beg Mom for popsicles.

I'll be honest... I pretty much spent most of Jr. High and High School being jealous of her.  

Thankfully, I got over it, and once I hit college, we slowly became friends again.  

And once again, we were there for each other, just like sisters should be.

I was the Maid of Honor for her wedding.  

And her first pregnancy was the reason that I picked the empire waisted bridesmaid dresses for mine.  

She's been an amazing Mom, right from the start.

 And possesses these amazing "mom qualities" that I admire so much.  

 She loves her nephews and nieces... and even though she has her hands full with her own six beautiful kids, she always manages to love on her nephews and nieces and make time to spend with them.

Yup, my sister is pretty amazing.  And today, is her birthday.

So today I want to celebrate her.  I want to celebrate the beautiful woman that she has grown to be.

I want to thank her for being such an amazing sister, wife, mom and friend.  

Happy, happy birthday Leslie!  I love you and pray that God will continue to richly bless you as you celebrate another amazing year!