{ Aren't these three just gorgeous? }

Siblings....one of the greatest blessings on Earth. Just thinking about my two sisters makes me smile. I love them. Because I love me sisters so much, it really hurts to think about Ruby not having her baby brother around. This is why Ruby and Hughie are so close in age (14 months since Hughie decided to come early), because we wanted her to have a sibling soon. She will have to wait for the blessing of having a sibling here on earth. I miss not having Hughie in my arms, but even more, I will miss not watching Ruby and Hughie run around the backyard together, Hughie trying to do everything his big sister does, Ruby bossing Hughie around and trying to play dress up with him, and watching my two children develop a bond that compares to none other. They say patience is a virtue...I guess it is time for me to practice it. Hopefully I can help Ruby develop a relationship with her brother that may not be tangible, but real none the less.

Today, I have been thinking about some of my favorite sibling memories:

MEG and MAL {21 months apart}: Since we were little, we have been instant friends. (just minus our short stint in high school together and we let sharing a bathroom come between us...glad we made it through that!). We would play all day long in our own make-believe world. We shared a room and would often put all our clothes on each of our beds (pretending to be a Gap store) and then have pretend customers come up to our pretend cash wrap to purchase their outfits. We even used the window in our room as a drive-up window for customers to buy yummy Big Macs. I guess the spirit of consumerism caught on at an early age. I can even remember playing "The Price is Right" mimicking some of the games with items from our pantry. Life seemed much easier when we were make-believing. Mal would often tell me that I could be the boss, but she was in charge...and I naively would say "Okay!". My favorite memories with my dear Mal is our time spent together at BYU. We never lived together (we learned from our high school experience), but we spent many lunches in the Cougar Eat and study time in the "No sssh!" zone of the Lee Library together. I will never forget waiting for Mal to meet me for lunch, and watching her bound towards me with her humongous backpack...I think she had every book she owned in that thing! Ah...the zeal of a freshman :). Now that freshman will graduate this August with a master degree in Marriage Family Therapy. I am so proud of you, Mal. I always have been and always will be.

MEG and MCCALL {9 years apart}: I can remember being so excited that we were adding another sibling to our family. My mom did not find out the gender of McCall, so we were hoping to have a brother. My dad came to pick us up from school to go meet our new sibling, and I can remember being in the middle of the lunch line, grabbing a roll, when Mrs. Crowther whisked me away so I could leave with my dad. He gave us the news that our new baby was a girl and Mal blurted out "Oh, shoot!" (you'll never live that down, Mal!). But from the moment we held her in the Cottonwood Hospital maternity ward, we fell in love. We were just glad she had come. We often fought over who got to feed her, hold her, take her out during Sacrament, etc...She became our instant friend. When Mal and I would leave for school, my mom would have to stop McCall from trying to follow us. She would say "I want to go to school with the guys." We were 'the guys' to her probably because that is what my mom would say..."come on, guys." I remember taking Call and her friend Lindsay to the pool and watching Call be-bop around in the water. I remember in middle school when I had to babysit Call, which meant my friends would come over and hang-out at my house. McCall loved playing with my friends...especially the boys and even had a crush on my friend Saul. So funny! My best memories with Call have been made this past year living with her at my dad's. I find myself counting down the time for school to get out each day so she will be home to hang-out with me and Ruby. I hate it the days she has to work. I love how good she is with Ruby, and how Ruby thinks she is just "one of the guys" with McCall and her friends. You have a bright future ahead, Call. I can't wait to see what is in store!

I look forward to my children making great memories together..

This little man has been on my mind...a lot. His due date is today, April 16th. I find myself re-living his three and half week earthly existence over and over in my mind. I never want to forget the way he smelled, the way I felt his blonde hairs on my lips when giving him kisses on his head, the way he pulled his arms up to his chin, and mostly the way I felt sitting next to him. I longed to hold and cuddle him....and I think I always will. It seemed like forever as we floated through those three and half weeks, and now looking back it seems it all happened in the blink of an eye. He just needed to drop by, say hi, and remind me what is important in life. I miss him, but my sweet and tender memories of him help replace the void with joy and hope. I love you, Hughie.

When I was little I loved reading "Go, Dog, Go", did you ever read this book? All the dogs get together for a rowdy party on top of a tree. Remember that crazy lady dog with all the hats? Ruby and I read this the other day, reminding me of Ruby and her new hat...

Lady Dog: "HELLO"

Man Dog: "HELLO"

Lady Dog: "Do you like my hat?"

Man Dog: "I do not like your hat!"

Lady Dog (probably a bit disgruntled): "GOODBYE"

Man Dog: "GOODBYE"

Another encounter and a different hat (Ruby is just sporting hers different)...

Lady Dog: "HELLO again"

Man Dog: "HELLO"

Lady Dog: "Do you like my hat?"

Man Dog: "I do not like your hat?"

Lady Dog (even more disgruntled): "GOODBYE"

Man Dog: "GOODBYE"

Ruby: "Leave my hat alone....catch ya later silly dogs I've got to take this call!"

Ruby needed a new hat to kick off the spring/summer season, and to cover her bald head. This funny $2 Old Navy special hits the spot (don't mind the "pinch proof" logo on it, St. Patty's markdown). Not only does Ruby keep it on, but she does so with style! Can't wait for the warm weather to get cozy and stay awhile.

{These pictures were taken in sunny Las Vegas a couple weekends ago. We made the trip to watch Drew and the BYU soccer crew play against UNLV. Let soccer season begin, GO COUGS!}

Rex the wonder dog and little miss Ruby

{these two are the best of friends}

While spending a weekend at Grandpa and Grandma VW's, Ruby and Rex bonded. Ruby woke up each morning in a panic as she said in her high-pitched voice "dah-dah....dah-dah" and pointed to the door. She had to know Rex's where abouts at all times, and had a melt down every time he had to go outside to do his business. Ruby was even kind enough to share her treats with Rex, if you call shoving food in his face kind :). We may have to add a dog to our family's future...sorry, Mal. (Click here to read about my sister Mal's extreme fear of dogs).