My Two Katie's

So I have a sister-in-law Katie and a sister named Katie and some of you may be familiar with one, the other or both...but I thought I would do this post about both of them to alleviate confusion. However, I am just one sentence in and I already am sure it will be more confusing. Oh well. So the one that was Katie Barrett is now Katie Riley and the one that was Katie Linford is now Katie Barrett. Got it? Can you guess which one my actual sister?



You may have noticed that neither of them look a thing like me--the top one is my sister-in-law and the bottom one is my little sister.

My sister-in-law, Katie, is married to my older brother Will. She is one of my best friends and the most amazing mother--if you have ever seen her interact with any of her kids, you know what I'm talking about. Every time I am around her she inspires me to be a better mother: more loving, more happy, more selfless and more fun. You have never seen anyone take more joy in their children than she does, she is incredible. She is one the most hilarious people ever to be born on the earth-and I mean ever. And no matter how much time I spend with her--it's never enough...companionship (that's an inside joke). When we are together it is a non-stop chatfest, and pretty much non-stop validation. It's like a spa retreat for my personality. Love her love her love her. And one more thing--Katie, it is pathetic that this is the only picture I have of us together--I am a whale.

My sister Katie is four years younger than me and for the longest time I thought, maybe because of all the school we played as kids, that because I was older I was the one that taught her things. Hmmm...not even close. She has taught me to lighten up (work in progress), be less judgemental, take myself less seriously, and, when I have needed it most, she has been there to make me feel better--even if that meant holding a throw up bucket. She is amazing at anything she tries, she can cook, she can sew, she can decorate, she plans weddings and arranges flowers and she is the most darling, doting, wonderful brand new mother. She is also one of my best friends and when I picture her in my mind--at any age--she is always laughing. She is the most loyal, caring, kind, fun-loving, funny, do-anything-for-you-person. I can be completely and totally myself around her and that is a beautiful, beautiful thing. In that picture above she is holding my baby...here is her lovely little Macy. I cannot wait to pinch those cheeks again...

Will

This is my older brother, Will--he is the greatest older brother ever. Period. He was sometimes a little rough growing up, but that is how I turned out so tough. (joke). I know I can always get great advice from him on everything from buying a house to relationship junk. And I can always depend on him to be honest, even if that means he is going to straight up tell me that I am being an idiot. But I really can be an idiot and I'd really rather know when I am... so I actually appreciate it. He knows exactly who he is and never sells out for anyone; and he talks more crap than anyone I know and it is impossible to beat him at it. He is a great father/brother/uncle and a great friend. He hates being thanked, but I don't think he even knows I have a blog, so ha...and thanks for everything, Will...

I think the only reason I have a picture of him smiling is that he was mocking me at the time.

Amy

I know I'm going a little overboard on the Elsie showcase...but isn't that what blogs are for? So I have done a fair amount of bragging about my illustrator/sister Amy, but for those of you who aren't related to me/don't know what I'm talking about, let me explain. My sister Amy is, among many other amazing traits, an uber-talented illustrator for children's books. She was born with talent to be sure, but she has been working at it her entire life! Well, she sketched out this little number of Elsie--from memory--on an airplane--while flying back to her home in Pennsylvania. I think it's amazing! Her website is very cool... http://www.amybates.com/. I love my sister so much, and not just because she draws amazing pictures of my kids (it's quite a bonus though!).


She is super low-key about her success, we usually find out months/years later that she won some huge award or one of her books was a best seller. My sisters/sisters-in law are my best friends, to say that I lucked out just doesn't even cover it! Amy is currently living in Japan with her family (boo!). So call me, Amy, when you see this--I miss you! And I want to talk to you about next summer.

Elsie's Photo Shoot

These are the pics that my friend Liz took yesterday, can you believe I have them already?!? She is great, you can check out her photo website http://rosebudpics.blogspot.com/ I am so thrilled with how they turned out--I'm going to post quite a few...you'll just have to indulge me...

All Aboard!

Last weekend we made a stop at the Santa Susanna Train Depot here in Simi and it was so cute! Teddy loved seeing the tracks up close and the volunteers there were so happy to have visitors... doesn't seem like the get many ): Here are some pics:





Even though Teddy happily "plays guys" for hours on end these days, I think trains will always hold a special place in his heart. I'm a little tired tonight...one of those days where you run from sun up to sun down. Good news, though--Elsie had her 1-year pictures taken today! I will post asap...

Glorious!

Teddy started preschool on Monday and he looooves it!! And guess what? So do I! He goes three days a week from 8:30-11:30. His teacher could not be cuter or more wonderful and everyday he is so excited to see "the kids." After his first day I was asking him about it and in a most conspiratorial tone, as if it was a sort of shocking secret, he turned to me and whispered, "Mom, there are girls there!"

GoodReads

So I'm be a bit of a procrastinator, a list maker rather than a do-er, and I get bogged down with details. I really really like things perfect--but I'm also lazy and lack self-discipline. This is not a good match. As a result of these conflicting personality traits I am somewhat of a self-help book fanatic but nothing I've read comes close to this...

Enter... The Happiness Project.

Of all the self-help books I've read...and there is plenty--just ask Ben about the stack that, up until recently, towered next to our bed: The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, The 5 Languages of Love, The Anger Trap...on and on...this is the first self-help book that has...well, actually helped my...self.

So there.