Happy Birthday, Cherie!

My sister-in-love, Cherie, is celebrating her birthday today! Cherie is married to Dave's oldest brother, Rick. They have three beautiful boys and, even though Dave and Rick are the youngest and oldest siblings, respectively, Cherie and I are the closest in age amongst the women in the family.

Particularly when Dave and I were dating and engaged, Cherie invested a lot of time in me and allowed me to be part of her family. She gave me a lot of ideas when trying to plan our wedding, and even helped us find our reception site - the same place she and Rick had theirs two years prior. In the time I was pregnant with Andrew, she provided me lots of information and books on childbirth, babies and the like. She loves Andrew to pieces and when he was a baby, she loved to hold him and try to keep herself from smothering him with kisses.

She somehow manages to balance the insane amounts of activity that accompany three growing boys, keep them fed, shuttle them back and forth, and homeschool them, all while tending to her various other responsibilities, including a part-time job outside the home. She most definitely loves her family.

Cherie, as you celebrate this birthday, remember that though we do not know what the future holds, we know who holds the future, specifically your future. My prayer is that you are blessed beyond measure by the One who created you and that His perfect plan be revealed to you one day at a time. Keep on keepin' on!

Happy Birthday, Tammy!

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-love, Tammy, who is ___ years old today!

Tammy and her family moved out of state 2 1/2 years ago, so while we don't get to see each other as often as we would like, she is still a very special part of our family.

Tammy gave me such a warm welcome into her family when David and I started dating. Since I am the oldest child in my family, it has always been special to have Tammy as an, ahem, older sister from whom to seek counsel. She has always pointed me in the direction of what is God-honoring and has, over the years, encouraged my spiritual walk.

She is a loving pastor's wife and mother to five children (four girls and one boy). Dave and I lived in Tammy and Roland's house five years ago for about five weeks while we were waiting for our house to be finished. During that time, we made many special memories with all of them, and she was a godly example of wife and mother to me. She and I also enjoyed quite a few early morning talks over coffee (just hers - y'all know I don't drink that stuff!) in her living room.

Tammy, I pray that this year finds you basking in the blessings of the Lord, and that He will use your family to remind you on a daily basis how important what you do, every day, is for His kingdom. You are making a difference! Happy Birthday!