Happy Birthday, Lori!

See that picture? That's my sister, Lori with her third daughter. Doesn't Lori take a beautiful picture? Let me tell you something about her. She's one of the most photogenic people I know. I've seen her after days (and nights) with sick kids, no sleep, too long without a shower and no makeup. But if someone pulls out a camera, the photograph looks pretty much super-modelish. It's one of the things about Lori that makes me a tad jealous.

There are other, even more important, things to admire about Lori. She falls squarely in the middle of our family of eleven and you know what they say about middle children. She's a peacemaker. She wants everyone to be happy and get along and she's always kind and helpful.

On Thanksgiving, as we went around the circle and said what we were thankful for, her husband described her best when he said (and I'm paraphrasing): With all the stresses I get to deal with in work and church and family, Lori is never one of the causes. Never.

Lori's an amazing wife, a great mother, and a wonderful sister and friend.

Happy birthday, Lori. I'm so grateful for you and I love you!