Laura ~ It's Your Day!!

Today is my sister's birthday! In honor of her special day, I dug out the family albums and put my scanner to work.

We were two peas in a pod while growing up. Seventeen months apart in age, some people mistook us for twins. Our family members, especially our maternal grandmother, loved to dress us alike. We were so adorable together! :)    

This photo was taken by our dad (another photog enthusiast) on top of a hill at Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia, PA. {Can you tell us apart?}

A birthday blog wouldn't be complete without a baby and toddler picture . . . 

Our cousin, Stephani was like another sister to us. We spent many of our summers almost inseparable! To see a blog I dedicated to her, please click here: Stephani's birthday blog (2010) 

Just for fun ... I added one of my very first photos of my sis. As a kid, I loved to take those "sneak up on my subject (or prey), pounce into view and "SNAP"!!! Surprise!!! :) (oh, she's gonna love me for sharing this one; just about as much as she loved those surprise photos I took of her :)-

We spent most every summer vacation on our grandparent's boat on the Chesapeake Bay in Crisfield, MD. These family times together are some of my most treasured childhood memories, hence my first daughter is named Chelsea {meaning - port of ships}. Reminds me of warm, sun-filled days playing with my sister; long hours of fishing in the bay; eating watermelon on the dock and spitting the seeds in the water; pickin' crabs; listening to the lapping sounds of the water at night against the boat while we slept. Oh, I could go on and on.

Such wonderful memories.

Here we are showing off our catch after a very successful day of fishing!

Here's a fond Christmas memory to share.

Both my sister and I had gone Christmas shopping with our grandmother. She told us we were allowed to pick 1 thing to buy for the other. Without knowing, we chose exactly the same toy for each other!!

A Holly Hobby doll and purse set! :))

Skipping ahead some years. . .

At the tender age of 19, my sister began searching for a healthier lifestyle. She became a vegan, as she still is to this day. Vegans do not eat any dairy or meat products whatsoever. They also do not believe in wearing or using animal products either. (Just in case you were wondering.) 

In her early twenties she ventured about. She ended up living on the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian islands on an organic co-operative farm for awhile.

While in Hawaii, she met her soul-mate ~ a Floridian, and fellow organic gardener, Brendan. A few months after their first son, Kai was born they were wed in a beautiful, residential garden in Rose Valley, PA on a warm August day surrounded by family and close friends. 

I had the special honor of reading a few words that I wrote about marriage at their ceremony.

It was a wonderful day; one that I will never forget. 

Cutting the cake and my Chelsea is close by awaiting her slice ;)

Skipping ahead in time. After venturing about some more (including stints in Hawaii, Tennessee, No. Carolina, and Florida). They settled in Homestead, Florida where they welcomed their 2nd son, Junah.

My sister and bro-in-law absolutely love the tropics! This thirst of theirs led them to move their family to the small South American country of Costa Rica. While it was paradise for a while, she grew homesick and eventually moved back to the states.

Another reason they moved back to the states was because she was expecting their 3rd child and she longed to be with her family for their baby's blessed arrival.

Little did she know, they made it home (to Pennsylvania) just in the nick of time.

At a mere 26 weeks gestation, Laura and Brendan welcomed their baby girl, Aria. Weighing in at 1 pound 1 ounce at birth, she received neo-natal care for 2 months in Reading's finest hospital. We adoringly call Aria our little "miracle baby."

Here Laura is giving Aria her 1st bath. . .

They tried living in No. Carolina again, but eventually made their way back to Florida. And now, they have come full circle as they recently moved back to Homestead in search of a permanent home for their family.

Please say a little prayer that they find their dream home and settle down to raise their young family. I've been saying mine everyday.

 

Can you tell how much they love the beach?!

This is a Christmas family photo from 2008 (L - I need a more recent family photo). Anyhow, Aria and the boys are thriving. Kai (15), Junah (6) and Aria (3) are all doing great! The boys are looking forward to starting school very soon. Laura and Brendan diligently raise their children as vegans, and Aria's growth is astounding for such a delicate start in life. I admire and adore these people, and miss them dearly.  

I found this sweet poem by Cyndi Moore just for you, Laura.

Sister, we've been there through life's sorrow and pain

But together we have always endured the strain

We've argued and bickered and made each other mad

But if you weren't my sister, life would be so sad

We've cried till we laughed and laughed till we cried

Sometimes for no reason we didn't even know why

When we're not together our bond is just as strong

Because we are sisters we know when something is wrong

We've whispered our deepest secrets only sisters could share

I love my sister dearly because she really cares

So whether we are together or we are far apart

{Laura}, you're my sister, my friend and forever in my heart.

 Laura ~ Have a wonderful birthday!! You will always be my very first, very best friend in the whole wide world! :) I love you.

With overflowing love,

forevermore,

Barb