Doing It All (scratch that) Nothing At All

I woke up this morning. Fed the baby. Talked to/Skyped with my husband. Fed the baby again. Checked out Facebook and fed the baby. All the while, I was helping the kids as they came to me and needed things. It was a good morning!

And then...

I walked out to this. Apparently when I thought I was doing it all. I was really missing it all. All the fun the kids must have been having to make a mess this grand.

I wanted to freak out. I thought, "oh my goodness, I want to scream!"

And then, I realized. Mir will wake up.

That's it. That is all it took to take me from being on the verge of an emotional volcanic eruption, to a serene (picture taking) mellow pond. I was cool. I was collected. I took care of what I could. I didn't worry about the rest.

Then, Mir woke up. She checked her Facebook and did some other things. And then, she started cleaning my living room. Just like that, no questions asked. No complaint. I told the girls they needed to go clean up the clothes and once they started, Mir was right by their side cleaning too.

There is a special place in Heaven in my heart for Mir. I am always saying I don't know what I would do without her. But it is really so much more than that.

You see, I would have eventually gotten around to cleaning this living room myself. My kids would eventually have diapers changed, hair brushed and food cooked without Mir. I would somehow find a balance- a way to be a "single for deployment" mom of four kids.

But, I don't have to!!!!!

I have an amazing, selfless sister. She leaves behind the life she has established for herself at home and comes to me. She comes to my kids. She becomes a partner with our family; a third mom, the world's best aunt, a "thank God for Mir". (Nater toddler-spoke that last phrase today)

I was thinking about all of this as I took the picture, and later as she went right to cleaning and I thought, I can never repay her. That is when it sunk in. She isn't joking. Every time I thank her for all she does she responds that she will one day have kids and I will get to watch them for her. Today, I realized she means it and I will be babysitting for their entire life to pay her back.

I sure will be glad to do it.

Miranda, You are an amazing sister and a wonderful friend. I love having you here. I love the way you love my kids and take such good care of them. I love the way you are consistent when I can't be. I love that you are so easy going and put up with my indecisiveness. I love that you help out so much in the managing of my house. I love watching TV with you. I love sitting and talking with you. I love having a passenger in the front seat of the van. I love seeing the way my kids love you. Thank you so much for all that you do. For being here for me. For being my friend and sister. You are awesome!