Daily Gratitude

I'm having to skip the picture today, because my subject lives thousands of miles away-in Alaska. Today, I'm thankful for my youngest sister, Cortney. Today is her birthday. Soon she will be having her own baby boy. I think of her every time I try to take Lauren to bed. When Cort was little, she would fall asleep on the couch. Nobody could take her to bed without Cort throwing a fit. But if I was the one to lift her up and carry her to bed, she would go happily, with her arms around me. It made me pretty darn proud. Lauren's been doing the same thing lately. She freaks out if Ryan or I pick her up, but as soon as Cade holds her, she wraps her arms around him, and mumbles happily until he puts her in bed. From those times to now, when we are as much friends as sisters, I will always be grateful for her.

Of course, when we are talking about sisters, I can't leave out Kellie. We grew up together-being less than two years apart. She was the spitfire of our family. Where I was the oldest, "try to please everyone", Kellie was the wild one who said and did what she wanted. I loved her for it. She would do anything to get a laugh. She was always up for whatever excitement we could concoct. Now, she amazes me with her creative talents, her love for her boys (and all the kids around her) and her strength of character. And she is one heck of a traveling buddy. (We went to Washington DC together a few years back).

I am grateful for all of my sister-in-laws. Meri, Lori, Miranda, Michelle, Felicia and Gina. I love all the things we have in common, and all of the things we don't. I'm honored to be a part of their families.

Finally, I'm grateful for the idea of "sisterhood". Being a woman can be tough, hard work. But I am so thankful for the beautiful, intelligent, faithful, strong, poised women that inspire me everyday.