We Are Family

Easter Sunday was the first time since Thanksgiving 2007 when ALL my siblings and mom were together for a holiday. My brothers bailed shortly after lunch, before the cameras were launched so all us girls had group photos taken.

What a bunch of goofiness! With all the cameras going off we were never sure which direction to look!

Oh look! We finally got it right! What a gorgeous family we are! lol

Be watching closely! This is blog post #696 for me. In honor of my 700th blog post and my 3rd year of blogging I'll be announcing my first giveaway very soon! Don't miss out!

Sisters

How blessed I am to have my sisters. At times we've been the fiercest of enemies, and the best of friends. Recently my sister Lacey changed her answer tone on her cell phone and when I call her I hear "My Sister" by Reba McIntire. I've never heard the song in its entirety so I went looking for the lyrics, which I will post here.

Some of my favorite photos taken of our recent trip back home for Christmas are the ones taken of my sisters and me. I'm so glad both my sisters are just a phone call away and although we don't always have much in common, we always have something to talk about, giggle over, or confide in one another.

We've certainly had our disagreements and spats, but always have been able to talk it over and get through them. Sometimes it just takes longer than others! :0)

Regina and me at Christmas, opening our gifts from Lacey.

Lacey, Regina and me....all being our goofy selves!

My Sister by Reba McIntire:

Hey girl it's me i just called to tell you hi

Call me when you get this

Haven't talked lately so hard to find the time

Give the boys a big kiss

Tell them that I miss them

By the way I miss you too

I was thinking just today

About how we used to play

Barbie dolls and make-up

Tea parties dress up

I remember how we'd fight

Then make up and laugh all night

Wish we were kids again

My sister my friend

Oh yeah before I forget I met someone

I think I really like him

I was just wondering if I'm jumping the gun

Like going out on a limb

And invite him home for Christmas

To meet the family

Seems like just yesterday

You brought home old what's his name

He had been drinking

What were you thinking

After dinner he passed out

We can laugh about it now

We've learned a lot since then

My sister my friend

Do you think you could come and see me sometime soon

We could just hang out like we used to

It's late and I should go

But I can't hang up the phone

Until I tell you

What I don't tell you enough

Even though at times it seemed

We were more like enemies

I'd do it all again

My sister my friend

My sister my friend

For my sisters Regina and Lacey.

Regina

The next sibling in line to introduce you to is my sister Regina. We are a year apart, almost exactly (our birthdays are one week apart). I'm older (but I always tease her that she looks older 'cause that's my job as a sister!)

I'm closer to Regina than any of my other siblings. I've shared more of who I am with her, probably because we are so close in age. Growing up, we could go from best of friends to fiercest of enemies in the blink of an eye. Sorry Mom!

We grew up polar opposites but still played together lots. Are all sisters so opposite? Regina was all "tomboy" and I wasn't. I think it broke my heart when she no longer enjoyed playing barbies or dolls with me. We spent a great deal of time in the driveway playing with cars and trucks with Davy, too, but I always enjoyed the dolls more. Not so for Regina.

We were always playmates. Whether it was playing barbies under the kitchen table, catching tadpoles in the creek, fishing with cane poles in Grandpa's ponds, hiding in the hay in Grandpa's barn, racing barefoot up and down the driveway, picking blackberries to sell for money for the fair, playing cards and board games, or tracking each other's footprints in the snow; we were always together. We shared a room, we shared most toys, and we shared clothes. And the competitions were fierce. There was always a race to be won; whether running, biking, climbing the trees (I always lost those!), keeping the badminton birdies in the air, or standing on our heads. Even now I attribute my competitive streak to those days. The fights and arguments were extreme. But, through it all I could always count on her. We'd fight, but let anyone fight against us and we stood together against them. I was the wimp and she, my protector. I'll never forget the day our cousin Willie (who was always mean when he was a boy) had me on the ground beating on me and she let him have it!

I can't imagine not having her in my life. Even though we're far apart, we stay close with many phone calls and we visit when we can. I never would have predicted our lives as they have turned out but can't imagine having traveled this road without her by my side. My greatest sorrow for my own daughter is that she doesn't have a sibling and will never experience a bond like that of a sister.

Regina's family, 2007.

Her husband Greg, their son Brandon, their Daughter Danielle.

Grandpa holding Davy (on the left), me (on the right)

and Regina - 6 months old (in front)

Our family when we visited Pensacola Beach, FL.

Regina's the blond in the green swimsuit and I'm in the red one.

First day of school 1977. Regina's on the right, first day of Kindergarten.

Davy and I are on the left (he was in 2nd and I was in 1st grade)

I think Regina was in 1st grade when this was taken but I'm not sure.

sisters.

Regina's senior picture. Class of 1990.

Regina's wedding day.

Dad and his girls a month before he died.

All us girls and Mom.

Regina and Danielle's glamour portraits last year.