Sibling Revelry

In which we shall see: bragging about incredible people, that I happen to be related to.

* * * * *

I've actually been thinking about this post for a while now, and it's a little bit tricky to know how to approach the topic. How does one go about saying "Hey, guess what? Those people that spent most of our respective early lives tormenting me grew up to be pretty amazing, all across the board!"?

Oh. I guess that's how.

(I suppose "tormenting me" is probably overstating a little. And, to be honest, I may have done a little tormenting myself. I don't really count the psychological conditioning as 'torment', as it's in everyone's best interest to do what I say, but my siblings might have the very small, odd, not-normal story of me occasionally picking on them. Maybe.)

I made her a 'cartoon doll'
ages ago. It really does look
just like her.

Seriously, though, my siblings turned out to be fantastic people. Who knew? Here in the UK you get an even bigger "WHA?!?" response than in the States when you say you're one of six kids, but I do appreciate the fact that I've got plenty to brag about with each of them. My sister, for example, is fabulously organized and productively creative - everything she does not only IS good but also looks good, and she's always figuring out ways to sell her hobbies. I think I got her interested in jewelry design (or we got going about the same time, anyway) and she has completely outstripped me (it's a good thing). Her pieces are beautiful and trendy and so well done - we all love wearing anything she's made. She commits herself completely to whatever needs doing - her church callings happen 100%, she backs her husband and kids in everything they do; currently, she's becoming a total expert on Scouting as her oldest son (at 12 and-a-half) has decided to accomplish every. single. merit badge. (I won't even get started on how awesome all of her kids are.) She doesn't back down from her goals, and doesn't let other people's insecurities and hesitations slow her down (which I love). She KILLED in the family weight-loss competition (won!), and has maintained ever since... just last month she (and her husband) produced their third-annual Half-Marathon event, with double the number of participants from the year before (and they do it for fun and tradition, not for profit). Plus, she is an amazing  friend and can always be counted on to help and serve whenever needed. AND she knows how to have fun! Can I be my sister when I grow up, please?

I have four brothers, and at some point each of my sisters-in-law has told me how lucky they are to have gotten a Baxter guy. It's true. They are all terrific husbands and fathers (the youngest brother is THISCLOSE to getting started on that 'fatherhood' thing. MINUTES away). They are all smart, hardworking, funny, musical, dedicated to their families and to the Gospel, and they all (obviously) have fantastic taste in women. (Well, one woman each - they'd all probably say no other women exist.) They all served missions - two learned Spanish, and the other two might also say that they served in foreign-language areas (California and England), and they're all Eagle Scouts. Three of the four play with the Army (National Guard) Band, and the other keeps all of our computers running and current (I don't know if you realize just how much money he saves all of us. And yes, he takes outside-the-family jobs, too, if you're looking for a computer guy!). They are educated, positive, forward-thinking men who work to better not only their families' lives, but also to better their neighborhoods and communities. They have smart, funny, happy children who know that no matter their challenges (and there are challenges, too) they can always count on their dad. There's an engineer, corporate head of I.T., accountant, and phone rep (who just got promoted to his own store and has totally hooked up the family) - we've got all the necessaries covered - as well as a family band (they may not play together often, but they will for Mom!). And play they do - nobody plays harder than my brothers. We get a little competitive, but it's definitely in good fun. These are good men...

... and I've got embarrassing stories about each of them. Heh. Hehehehhhhhh.

That's right, Mom and Dad - you're responsible for all this.
(Good job.)

 Recently, it's been coming back to me over and over - I'm very lucky to belong to this particular group of people. I've said for most of my life that we are 'abnormally normal', and it's true - my parents and siblings are the best friends and neighbors you could ever have, the kind of people you want living next door and working for you and being your boss and teaching your kids. You want your kids to be friends with their kids. These are the people that you want to spend time with, because you know from the start that your life will be better for the association.

And let me assure you, there's no need to worry - I promise (as the picture shows) I'm the only one who bites.