Sisters...

I was so touched by Kimmie's tribute to Melissa for her 25th birthday that I felt inspired to blog about my sisters. I have three sisters, a half sister, a step sister, several sister-in-laws and a few best friends who are definitely my soul sisters. I'm just going to talk about my sweet and amazing biological sisters today...

When I was born my sister Cindy was 10, Sue was 7 and Kathy was 6...I was the baby and they were all good sisters to me. When they wanted me to do something, like get them a drink of water, they would say, "Lisa, will you get me a drink of water...you'll be my cookie?" I would do anything to be their cookie. What can I say?? I was born to be a pleaser. I was kind of sandwiched between the kids and grand kids so I was close to both generations and felt a part of each. I grew up absolutely loving and adoring my nieces and nephews.

Cindy has always been a loving big sister. She is typically the first person I call for advice. She is so thoughtful and so good at remembering birthdays and special occasions. We can get on the phone and easily talk for an hour or more. I usually get off the phone feeling bad that I've done most of the talking. She's so engaging and asks lots of questions about me and my family. I know she truly loves me and is interested in keeping in touch across the miles. We used to hide our phone bills from our husbands because we'd really rack them up talking to each other. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She is always looking out for everyone else, sometimes to her own detriment. She is also beyond hilarious! I love her sense of humor! We laugh out loud every time we talk on the phone. It's a riot to see her husband get her laughing and when she is about to stop he'll chuckle again which keeps her rolling with laughter. She's a good wife and mama and adores her grandsons. She is one of the best people I know. I'm so glad she's my sister and friend! Cindy likes: blue jeans, cats, a good cup of coffee, chick flicks, going for walks, entertaining friends, a nice glass of wine, Fall, warm clothes, and salty snacks. She calls me Lees or Lela and I call her Cinder or Sis.

Sue has always been a very sweet and protective big sister. When I was little I would tell her if someone was picking on me or hurting me and she would always come to my rescue. I remember a couple of kids chased me home from school one day and I told her about it. The next day she was waiting for me and they chased me home again and she jumped out and scared the crap out of them...that was the end of being bullied! I spent a lot of time with her family as a teenager. They took me cross country skiing, hiking, to the fair, etc.  I remember when she called me and asked how I'd feel about her naming her baby girl Lisa. I was thrilled and honored, of course! She and I still love spending time together. Our husbands get along great too and we all love skiing, sitting in the hot tub and watching Larry's band play. Sue is always the life of the party! She works hard and plays harder! She has the best heart and I'm so glad she's my sis and friend! She is one of the best people I know. She's a wonderful wife, mom and nana. Sue likes: the outdoors, skiing, concerts, cruises, chick flicks, warm weather and baking.

Kathy is a combination of still waters run deep and dynamite comes in small packages. She is so much fun and has been so loving and supportive of me. She always makes me feel like she's really proud of me. We can talk about anything and have helped each other through a lot of similar struggles. She is so organized and clean. I always marveled at how well she kept up with her house, kids, finances, etc. while working full-time and on a budget. Her kids were always dressed in designer clothes and had nice things yet she stayed out of debt...I think she inherited our mom's amazing money sense! Kathy is a great host. She always makes you feel welcome and is happy to see you. Kathy has a great sense of humor and her laugh is contagious! In our younger, wilder days we had some pretty crazy adventures together. Kathy is one of the best people I know. I am so glad to have her for my sister and friend. She's a great wife, mom and grandma. She likes: dogs, outdoors, boating, reading a good book, chick flicks, feeling the sunshine on her face and relaxing on her patio.

What the heck would I do without my sisters?? I love them SO much! We are way over due for a sister's retreat.

Love,

Lisa

Cindy

Cindy and Blaine

Sue

Sue and Larry

Kathy and Vance

Kathy and Vance

The whole gang

Alivia arrives in a hurry...Happy Birthday 3-05-2011

March 5th started out pretty eventful for the Leany family. Natalie had been having contractions off and on since midnight and by 3:30 a.m. she was no longer able to sleep through them. She called me at 4:45 a.m. and told me she thought she was in labor. She said, "why don't you go back to sleep for awhile and I'll call you when they get more regular." Within a half an hour she called and said they were heading to the hospital because the contractions had become steady and painful. Her sis Dallas came to the house to watch Cameron and she and Spencer headed for the U of U hospital. Well...half way to the hospital the bearing down pains became so strong that she felt like she was going to deliver the baby right there in the car. Spencer called 911 and they instructed him to pull over and wait for an ambulance. Natalie was taken in by ambulance and found to be 9+ cm dilated. She had been through enough by this time and begged for an epidural (and got it!). She delivered Alivia shortly after at 6:46 a.m.

Her doctor tried to make it to them on the freeway but the ambulance beat him. He arrived at the hospital in time to deliver her. He said she would have been his first road side delivery had that happened. We owe a big thanks to Dr. Draper for being such a wonderful doctor! I got to Salt Lake by 10:30 and spend the rest of the day with them. Dallas brought Cameron up to the hospital around noon. He was really sweet with Alivia. Dallas captured their first moments together in pictures....so precious!

Eventually, Cameron and I headed to their home for the evening and had more fun playing and snuggling. He is such a good boy and is going to be an amazing big brother! Alivia is so sweet and seems so tiny. She weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. She has lots of light brown hair. She is a precious little angel! Natalie will be coming home on Sunday. She sure was a trooper through this crazy ordeal! Spencer has been right by her side. I'm grateful for what a good husband and daddy he is to my daughter and grandchildren.