My Sister Tamara Is A Saint - Part One

Now I know religiously speaking some may not prefer that I use this term but trust me I don't use it lightly.  My sister happens to be 10 years younger than I ( I am 43 ) but she also happens to have three more children.  Alison (10), Isaac (9), Logan and Connor (7 year old twins!) and Asa (4) are all charmers for sure! A week or two in Idaho is never enough with this gang---they will keep you busy and tire you out like no other children I know.

When I wonder what happens to all my energy, I think God is taking it all for her.  I complain about not having much left over after a day of cooking, dishes, cleaning, laundry, my job (usually about 4 to 5 hours a day), softball practice....did I already say dishes and laundry!  Where do all the clothes and dishes come from ?!?

I was at my sister's last summer and got a good solid reality check.  For those of you with a couple of children like me or none, there are questions that may come to mind:

How does a family like this operate so efficiently? Well with a Great Mom and a Great Dad---I didn't say perfect but I did say Great!  They are a team---Glenn and Tamara are the strongest example I know of two parents are who completely dedicated to their children.  They may not always agree on how things should happen but you can bet your fortune on the fact they will come to a compromise to resolve the problem/situation quickly. I have seen them mad at each other but I cannot think of one moment I have seen them be hateful or greatly disrespectful to one another.  (I remember warning Glenn when he married my baby sister---"If you ever hurt her, we will hunt you down...." I have never once thought about having to do this!)

Next question:  How does one pair all the socks for that many children?  Well, ONE does not...it takes your sister coming once a year to help...just joking.  In a perfect world I would give them all one color socks.  Alison would have just pink, Isaac just black, Logan just green, Connor just blue and Asa just red----notice I didn't say white right?  That is because giving a kid white socks seems just dumb although we all do it!  We do not live in a perfect world and pink and green just don't go with too much so pairing socks is a small nightmare!  And Tamara can't count on me coming once a year to help....now if I win the lottery---maybe then I could make a substantial contribution.   I won't hold my breath!

(Time for Bed - Part Two to come.....)