Brothers and Sisters

Of all my brothers, I am the closest to B. He is just older than me and we have the shortest span of time between us. Along with his just older sister, we formed a Terrific Trio. It started with schooling, and quickly moved into all things life. We were inseparable! I am extremely close to the rest of my siblings, too, but the older ones were so much ahead of me in life that it was harder to be close to them. They are more role models.
As children, we did not get along. At. All. We fought constantly and were always in trouble for it. When we both reached our teen years, it just changed and we got along so well after that. We can often talk in codes and know exactly what the other two are saying.
Things will never be the same again.
B now has a girl that is his all, his confident, his help-meet. And, that is exactly how it should be. God made it that way.
It will take getting used to. Sometimes, I'll just sit and think about the way things used to be, how they were in the "olden days" when it was my sister and I in the backseat with our "chauffer" driving us places; the laughing, school work, long deep talks and the fervent prayers... most especially the prayers. We all clung to each other in an extremely trying time and that was when we were the closest; hanging on for the last threads of hope.
I thought that when the time came, I would be very jealous! But, I've found that I'm not. I am just ecstatically happy for them and couldn't imagine a better girl for B.
~am

Another family wedding!

On Thursday, my brother, B asked his girl to marry him and she joyously said, "yes". Her ring is lovely!!!! They are now earnestly planning their wedding for August, but have not finalized the date yet.

I am so happy for them! B is the best brother in the world and C is the perfect girl for him!!!!

My sister is courting!

My sisters and I have known for quite awhile now that one of our dear sisters, H is downright dippy about this guy that we know. She tried hard to hide it and though she never downright told us, we just knew. We are her sisters, plus they seemed to be just a natural match. We watched intently to try to detect signs of partiality on J's side and while we saw several convincing signs, we just weren't sure and didn't want to be presumptuous. We just watched and waited while we secretly all talked about it.

On Sunday, J approached our father, got permission to start a courtship on Tuesday and then asked H if she was willing on Wednesday. She said yes, and they have been talking tons ever since, as well as chatting, fishing, being around our family and his, delivering hay, etc. It has been different having a sister in a courtship; I've been through 3 brothers courtships, but a sister is just different.

It is exciting to see God working in their lives like this!

~am

Dancing

My siblings and I have been English Country dancing three times in the past few weeks with a small group of friends. The first occasion was because some friend's had friends visiting, the second we had a friend visiting and then the third was for a birthday yesterday.


I have very high aspirations for our little dance group and I know my sibling share my goals. We want to be extremely elegant and dance them correctly in time with the music. But, somehow we aren't getting there. I think not having music for all of the dances and then practicing on grass doesn't help very much. We get too energetic and skip through the dances. While it's more invigorating, it doesn't work very well for a ballroom!


And, I feel bad being a girl and leading the dancing with my two younger sisters. It just seems wrong, but there aren't any guys that are enough into it that they could lead it! And then, there are guys that just flat refuse to dance at all!


~am

Excitement

Our house has been in a continual state of happiness and excitement since Wednesday when my brother officially started courting a good friend. It is a case of mutual attraction since they met in December, but neither knew how the other felt... until now, of course. The newness and wonderfulness and excitement of it all is very fresh in all our minds right now and we have many talks and squeals of delight and approval!

We truly are very blessed!

~am

Journaling

I've never been able to consistently keep a journal. I've tried and tried, time and time again, but it never lasts very long. I started my first journal right around my young teenager years; it lasted a short while and then I burned most of what I wrote, just keeping a few of the best entries. Throughout 2006 and 2007 was the longest time I'd ever kept a journal, but it eventually died, too. And, I haven't been able to keep one up since then.

Then there is this internet journal. In my attempt to keep it somewhat more private (I naturally am more a private person - blame my British heritage!), I think it's been neglected and sadly lacking in anything interesting. And, that is what I'm hoping to change! So, if New Years Resolutions count in June, I'm making one. More blog posts!

~am

Quote

"She was the Survival of the home-woman. (Of which there are, fortunately, plenty left; though unfortunately the Christophers who meet them are often put off by their lack of chic, zip, snap, pep, by their tastes in makeup, their old-fashioned technique, or other nonsense.)" -Berta Ruck 1939