Friday, February 29, 2008

Sister Time

Not having seen Teresa for over two years has been strange. We talk almost every day when she is out in Oklahoma, but getting to visit about our lives and being a part of each other's lives is very different. It's amazing how much I miss her. I think the longer she is here the more I realize how much I am missing. When all the kids are around it is hard for us to get any serious visiting in. Even though we have a large crew of teens they seem to dominate our world a little more, and so we find ourselves being better listeners to their interpretations of the world than us leading the conversations. So having Uncle Colin, India, Alexis, Wyatt, River and Isaiah gone this last week has given us sisters a chance to catch up. All that we have had at home with us are; Levi, Cortez, Abram, and Roman. I know that this is still four, however the three oldest have been quite content to play on their own, so it's been nice and relatively quiet.




Anyway, I am watching how she does things and I find it sort of intriguing. We fold our towels the same, she puts importance on the same things that others may consider small, she puts her kids to work just as I do, we have the same philosophies of family and religion, and when I talk about my husband and his odd antics she can completely understand. It's a comfortable joy. I can't tell you all the things that we buy for our clothes, home, and even small accessories that are EXACTLY the same. We have always done this, but to be continuing to do this through the years with so many miles between us seems amazing.



Now, let me explain that we are very different too. Most people will tell you that we may look similar, may have married brothers, may have large families and such, but we have very different ways of expressing ourselves. Our backgrounds and our basic life canvas is so closely related that it colors our world the same, but we have our own unique flair too. Having this time away has allowed me to see our relationship a little bit differently. I can actually stand back and see it instead of just experiencing it, if that makes any sense. It has been such a joy and it has made me giggle to see the tiny and not so tiny details that make us sisters. I'm just really really happy that she has come. She doesn't complain at all about missing her family, but I know how hard that is. After all she is a wife, a mother to five children, and there is always labor to do on her own homefront, so to have this large slice of time divided off for me and my family is very generous and I feel very spoiled.

16 comments:

meNmykids said...

What a blessing to be spoiled like that. You are right, you girls are so different, yet so alike. I love the comfortable sister feeling too, nothing like it. Sounds like precious memories are being built again. A very good time to mellow out and enjoy good conversation and distraction.

D said...

Oh! That sounds so wonderful!
I always wished for a sister like that!
I do have a special closeness with my mother that helps make up for it. And I do have a VERY close friend who thinks a lot like me...but I know it isn't really the same because I've watched my mom and her sisters together and I've never had anything exactly like that.
Do enjoy every special moment you have together!

Sabriena said...

When you mentioned the teenagers leading the conversations, it reminded me of something funny. We have a cookbook with recipes donated by the brethren. It has some funny little sayings in it, and one of them is "You know a child is an adolescent when they stop asking questions - because they have all the answers!"

I'm glad that you are having some good sister time with Sis. Teresa. Still waiting for the baby...

Cherrie said...

Reading your post made me a little sad that I don't have a sister. But I do have Chantel and she is amazing as well. I see things in you two that are the same but also so much that is different. Enjoy this time together and spoil each other.

Skylene said...

Your blog reminds me of Ashley and me. We are 7 years apart and she doesn't have a family yet ,but we still are very close. We usually talk at least once or twice a day during the week. Last time she came out to visit we were sitting next to each other on the couch and Ashley told me to look at ourselves. We both had our legs crossed exactly the same and one arm tucked and one arm crossed exactly alike!Yes it is so much fun to have a sister. I am so glad my girls are so close in age.

Sis. Lori P. said...

Big Sigh...I wish I wish I wish I had a sister in the faith. My daughter in law, Sis. Mandy has her sister in the faith now; Sis. Kristen! They are so blessed and it's so sweet to watch them be so different yet so much the same! I have been surrounded by men in my life (1 husband, 6 boys)...and I would have been so lonely until daughter in laws arrived, but God gave me my dear daughter as my friend and I'm so thankful for our closeness...but alas, she had no sister either...what she DOES have is sister in laws now and a dear friend, Sis. Brittany, so all is not lost!

marykathryn said...

You girls are quite the amazing little duo...I know how much you have missed your sister and it is so great that you guys are having some quality time w/ each other. Having a sister must be such a special thing..Something that I don't think about very often, but when I am reminded of that void I tend to feel a sense of saddness on what I am missing out on...Sigh, but...
What Do You Do?..hehe

Michelle Swank said...

Special moments and times like these is something we cherish and never forget. I appreciate my sisters and family too. I think because we live so far away we learn to appreciate every moment with them.

Keep enjoying and having fun. My prayers are for your easy and safe delivery.

Love & Prayers
MS

meNmykids said...

Love the "your the reason our kids are ugly" song. I had never heard that.

Sister D said...

What a blessing you have. I don't have a Sister who came in the Faith but I, like Sis. Lori, have been blessed with the love of a sweet daughter and a dear Family in this Faith full of sweet sisters that I have been closer to than my own blood. What we share is a treasure to me and has brought me so much strength and joy. We laugh, we cry, we giggle.... Precious Memories how they linger.

Jules said...

Awww...that was a great post. It made me think about being away from my sisters. I am so glad she is getting to spend time with you. That is so awesome. My sisters can't come and spend time with me like that because they work 40 + hours a week. They are both the soul providers for their homes (Peg is single and Sue's husband is disabled). I miss them so much, so I can understand how you feel. I've never went 2 years without seeing them, that would be horrible! This past year, I did go 9 months without seeing either one. I am again just happy that you have these moments with her. P.S. Cherrie: What about me ??? :( LOL

Anonymous said...

It is fun to think of the ways we are alike. I called Laurie the other day and her son thought I was her. He said I sounded just like her. Still praying for you.

Marisela said...

I'm so glad you guys are getting to reconnect with one another.

ConservaChick said...

Oh I hope my girls grow up to be that close! What a beautiful relationship yo have with your sister!

I haven't been by in ages, but I was thinking, "hmm, I wonder if she has had her baby yet?" Yeah, only 2 more weeks! I bet you are excited! Oh, and I've said it before, but I totally think it's a girl. ~Karlie

Lori said...

That is so neat that you find similiarities in the small things like how you fold towels! I think it is really cool that you married brothers and have large families. I really enjoyed seeing pictures of both families together. You are blessed for this time you have together - savor every minute!

Tish said...

I'm so glad that you are getting to have some time with your sister. It really is very nice of her to set aside this time in her life just for you.

Reading your blog made me want to have another child so that Ruby could have a sister. The only problem is I wouldn't be guaranteed that it would be another girl. I'm still not ready to have another one, but it would be so nice for Ruby to have a sister.