July Birthday's

Sorry this is so late! It was a busy month for me, but I thought often of some of my favorite people and what I would write when I got around to it. I guess I'll go by date in the month.

Mit! I met Tim his Senior year of high school. We were both on the ballroom team all year, but it wasn't until the end of that school year that I really started getting to know him. He was the first one to call me Lirpa. I have a lot of fun memories of hanging out with Tim, but one of my favorite stories is right before his first date with Sarah. Sarah had come home for the summer and we were working at Stokes. I would often stand and bag groceries for her while she was at the register so we could talk and help work go by more pleasantly. One day Tim came into the store and he was supposed to have a date so I would have a double and so he asked Sarah at the register. It was funny because he asked her, not knowing who she was and said he'd pick her up at my house. I had so much fun dating with you two. Tim was always ready with a smile and a joke. Once we all went to the unfinished house where we climbed the ladder and made mini s'mores over a candle in what is now the Winnie the Pooh room. He was always fun to have around the house and was always ready to help with Mom's projects. He helped paint the garage when it was on the other side of the house. I know that I was thrilled when you asked Sarah to marry you! Happy to have you become a permanent part of our family. I only wish that I lived closer to the both of you. I don't smile and laugh enough without you two.

Andrew! It is crazy to see you now so much taller than me. I was looking at pictures this summer and someone commented that Sarah was in a lot of pictures with you and I wasn't in hardly any. That's because we played with you all the time, but I was the one behind the camera. You were such a fun little boy. You had a ready smile and laugh and loved to perform. I don't think any of us will ever forget your performance of Joe Cool :) And now you are taller than me! It has been fun watching you grow up and I am very impressed with the talented, considerate, and smart young man you are. And still you love to make people laugh and are very clever with your witty comebacks.

Doo dah! Sarah has always been an amazing big sister. She sang us to sleep and let us crawl into bed with her when we had bad dreams. She was patient with me and my bad temper and never acted annoyed with my endless chatter. When I was in Young Women's with her and went to my first Girl's Camp she let me hang out with her and her friends and saved me from what would otherwise have been a very lonely week. When she started seminary and was reading her scriptures every day she shared it with me and challenged me to read too. She always had fun and thoughtful ideas and I remember planning fun Valentine's surprises, movie parties, and dates with her. She had all the creative ideas, but she let me in on it anyway. It's amazing that we weren't in high school together, but got to go on so many dates together and I'm grateful for all the fun memories I have with you. People were never sure which of us was older and one time when we went to a dance club in Logan they let me through (16, you were supposed to be 18) and made her show her I.D. She wanted me to get in so she just showed hers and didn't say anything. Now I'm sure she is glad to look so young. :) This summer I told about how everyone commented on your looks when you sang, but I didn't finish my thought well. I think people commented on your looks because your beautiful face and big blue eyes along with your beautiful voice made them think of angels. You have been an angel of a sister. I love you!