my sister is awesome

She was here for 17 days, and in that time she washed dishes, wiped faces, fed Matthew, read to the big boys, took them to the park and out to play with friends, built block towers with Caleb, tolerated Garrett's obsessions with his growing collection of special things, dealt with the crew during church, gave them baths, rocked the baby, helped me run errands, and lugged laundry up the stairs, among many, many other things. She (and her husband) sacrificed the first part of her trip to watch the boys so that Blake and I could be at the hospital without having to think so hard about the logistics of childcare. And she spent the rest of it lending me her hands, feet, and energy so that I could rest, recover, and wrap my head around life with three little boys.

Thank you, Katie, for coming and for everything you did while you were here. I think we might have completely worn you out, but I am so glad you were willing to let us.