Everyone Needs an Alli

Everyone needs an Alli.  Someone to shop with you even in the heat and among crowds, walk with you even when it involves carrying recalcitrant children along rocky paths, boat with you even when your tube self-destructs, 4-wheel with you even in the mud and over bee hives, eat out with you even when your children are climbing all over her and eating off her plate, babysit for you even when your children fall out of cribs for the first time, clean with you even after a kid birthday party involving lots oodles of candy and sticky pink frosting, bowl with you even with bumpers and surrounded by rowdy campers, swim with you even when it means getting thrashed in chicken fights with zealous uncles, help you by making your kids feel special even if it means a sleepless night sharing a bed with a wiggleworm, discuss life with you even if involves patiently listening to your imperfect advice…

In short, I miss Alli terribly now that she’s back in Arizona!  It was amazing having her here for so long.  I’m so thankful for all her help with the kids, but mostly just for being such a great person to be around (and I’m thankful to her family for lending her to us for the summer!).  I know she’s going to do really well at college this fall, and I can’t wait to see her again soon.  You always have a place in our house, and in our hearts, dear Alli!

Just look at these pictures – don’t you wish you had your very own Alli?!?