the middle sister turns 29

 - today the middle sister *adp* turns 29 -

We are the only two siblings left in our 20s.

And in one year, that will change.

It is sad in a way - I wish that time could stand still.

1980 - to now

The cute little baby girl

 on the left

Is now my beautiful middle sister

on the right

The Sister Act

In the growing up years,

my mom dressed the three girls in matching outfits

 - normally dresses.

In some transition years, we avoided this.

However, those become cherished memories

 and the habit is picked up again.

Girls Night Out for our birthdays is a tradition we started in 2005

It is quite nice for just "us girls" to spend time together

Today, my sister is the wife of *mdp* - my 2nd brother-in-law.

A stay at home mom who just watched her oldest child

become a Kindergartener this year.

The "expecting mom" photo is from 2004 -

before her first baby arrived.

I had the honor of unwrapping the positive pregnancy test

when our family was told the news.

The secret of the soon-after 2nd baby became mine for a few days also.

From 2004 to 2007, she and her husband

added three to the "kiddos"

The traditions are repeated again -

Her girls have matching outfits

And she normally coordinates the whole family-

as shown with the yellow-themed outfits.

At my celebrations, she can be found

Even driving over 200 miles to my college graduation

Likewise, I made my way to the hospital

Even when 4 hours separated us

To make sure I arrived and held each baby in a hospital room

The first-time view of a new baby

Is definitely one of life's most precious moments

With four grades between us

I began where she finished

She dropped me off early at the middle school

And left the high school to pick me up

 I waited many days for her - 20,25,30 minutes
(at least I had built-in homework time)

She and I shared a room for several years.

Talking and Bonding - and some fussing too
Arranging our king-size bed

Borrowing clothes as my size changed

(but never shoes - b/c mine are smaller)

And after one "lights out" night -

I had the question posed to be her maid of honor

A memorable milestone for me

Sharing her special day in a special way

She is the cake-baker and decorator for a lot of functions

And she does a fabulous job - with cooking too

Themed parties and loving touches for her children's birthdays

Little things that can make someone's day

Thoughtful presents - like this Java Blue bag - are common

One of my favorite patterns and the wrapping even matched

I still have an orange pencil box with my name in stickers

That she gave as I went off for another semester at Clemson

She and her husband are almost at the 10 year mark

They can still laugh and have fun together

She is not into outside work

But she does like to fish

And can even bait her own hook (ewww)

She has pretty blue eyes

Long, thick brown hair

She dresses well

She is a mini-van mom

Who I admire

Babysitting her three small children (like I will do tonight)

Gives me a glimpse of her life

I can only imagine the dirty dishes

the piles of laundry

the dirty diapers

the accidents

and the throw-ups

My "hat" is tipped to all the mommys of small children

Especially door-step children

Today is her special day and I wanted to remember my thoughts

My memories could create a book

But I think I will wrap them up...

for now

Until January we are 5 years apart in numbers

And one wierd thing:

Her birthday is on Thursday - today

My birthday is on Thursday in January

Our birthdays always fall on the same day

when you look at the calendar from the November

of the prior year

to the January of the coming year

In addition to everything else above, one statement holds true -

Friends may come and go, but sisters are forever!

Enjoy #29!

Love always

 - D

Oh - and I sure did copy my cousin Livy who is posting

tributes to special people on their day...

Lovely idea - imitation is an honor - didn't you know? =)