I thankful for little sisters who act like big sisters
If you’re from Utah or have ever lived in Utah you may be familiar with a popular bad joke:
“What’s the difference between a University of Utah bride and a Brigham Young University bride?”
–At the U of U wedding the bride is pregnant, and at the BYU wedding the bride’s mom is pregnant.
*ba dum dum tsss*
So I was the stereotypical Utah bride (appearances aside). 18 (almost 19) marrying my 22-year-old RM (return missionary) and my mom was pregnant with her 5th child (whoops!).
I suspected something was up when one of my younger sisters told me she had found baby gear and pregnancy tests hidden around the house. Then at my wedding open house at my parents house I pulled her ultrasound photo off the side of the fridge so it wouldn’t be mistaken as my own.
Fast forward 10 years. My sister Kimberly is now nine and I have a daughter of my own just five years younger. She loves and admires her.
The greatest thing is when she comes over, Lil’ J (and Big T) immediately cling to her for entertainment… Which means a break for me, YAY!
To keep her happy and coming back for more fun, I try to come up with fun ideas for activities they can do while they’re at my house. It can be something as simple as a new library book, puzzle, coloring pages, or an activity I found on Pinterest.
Kimberly is off from school this week and she came over to try some new games I had set aside. The hilarity at followed was awesome.
I smiled as I watched them aim the snowball cannon at the targets, danced around to silly prompts like “wiggle your reindeer tail” “stir the hot chocolate” and “ski down the mountain.” And finally, they chased each other around trying to put rings on each other’s elf hats (Kimmie knelt down to make things a little more fair).
I’m so thankful that my little sister, who I only got to see a couple times a year, now lives just up the road, and gets a chance to grow up with my kids and be a good role model. I’m thankful I get the chance to be a big sister again, though in a very different way than I was growing up.
I’m thankful for so much this year: My family, my home, my faith. And I’m thankful for a sweet little sister, who’s become a big sister to my kids.
Are you and your siblings spaced out or close together?
I’m passionate about making and saving memories, I’m partnering with Hallmark to share some of my life’s special moments and occasions including getting ready for Christmas! All opinions (and typos) are my own.
Tags: aunt kimmie, family, hallmark, holidays, thanksgiving
I’m 15 years older than my baby brother, I don’t know how many times in high was I asked if he was mine. He will be 18 next year, and he has a nephew who is year older than him. My stepdad was 17 years older than my mom, so his children were all grown when my brother came along.
Wow!! A nephew who is older than him! Now that is some gap! It’s fun having such a spread of family relatives to hang with though. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness, your sister looks exactly like you! The resemblance is amazing!
Haha, I’ve been getting that quite a bit lately. It’s making me feel so young 🙂
My brother and I are 13 years and 11months apart so for 1 month in the year we are 14years apart. There are 2 sisters in between but I’m 4 years apart from my first sister. I can’t imagine being 18 almost 19 years apart! That’s awesome though
How fun Lola, are you the oldest? I’m also 4 years from my next sister, it’s not a gap that’s too bad. While we were growing up it seemed far at times, but now that we’re grown we all seem to be so similar in age. Funny how that is huh?
My mom and my aunt are 16 years apart; my aunt is 4 years older than me. My grandmother passed when my aunt was a teen and their relationship became more like mother and daughter than sisters. Likewise my son is 17 years older than my (thank you God!) 8 month old surprise daughter. From personal experience, I think the age differences are great. As an older mom, I’m happy that my LO will have her big brother to rely on.
Wow!! 17 years! That is so awesome! I think there are great blessings to having a big gap. I however, am not sure I’d want a gap as large as my moms for myself! haha. I’m also glad your daughter has a sweet big bro to look up to!
Your sister looks like a little you — so beautiful! Aren’t little siblings the best? I’m the oldest of four and I can’t imagine not having them around.
People keep telling me that! 🙂 Little siblings are awesome. I’m finding that out more and more. Even my sister who is 11 years younger than me is becoming one of my BFFs. It almost makes me want to have a few more kids so mine have options. ha!
Kimberly really does look like you! I love this! There is so much joy in these photos.
I have a 16 year old daughter and am expecting again, we have 9 between them so no large gap. I also have a 19 and 23 year old step-son. One of which will become a father before our newest is born..