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...