4 months ago when I told my sister Rachel that I was going to be in Savior of the World, she immediately started looking for tickets to come see me perform. I told her she might not want to come the week before the play because we'd have dress rehearsals every night, but she insisted on coming and said it would be great because she could help with my kids.
I was in shock. She too is a mother of 3, yet when given the opportunity to have a kid free get away, she volunteered to watch MY kids, EVERY NIGHT, for 4 nights. At the time my heart was very touched, but little did either of us know, just how much she would end up doing for me...
When she arrived on Tuesday I picked her up from the airport and gave her the best present I could think of for the world's biggest Romney supporter...
Matching Romney Superfan shirts!!
After I picked her up I only had time to drop her off at the house before I had to go straight to rehearsal.
While I was gone she fed my kids, put them all to bed, and cleaned my house. Best babysitter ever!
The next day it was so fun to watch her play with my kids. They were SO excited that she jumped on the trampoline with them.
Happiness!
Auntie Rachel is here!
That afternoon we had some more bonding time at the park. (isn't this the most precious picture? It seriously makes me cry to see this sweet interaction)
Then it was back to rehearsal while she once again fed the kids, bathed the kids, read them TONS of bedtime stories, put them to bed, and cleaned up my house.
and then...
Things got a little crazy....
Teya came down with a terrible case of the stomach bug and was up all night throwing up. Rach and I were supposed to do a sister date the next day while Teya was at school, but since she was sick, our sister date was postponed. We ended up just taking the kids on a walk to the duck pond (Rachel pushed Teya in the stroller with a barf bowl) and then Taber and I had to be back at rehearsal.
That night while we were singing and dancing and laughing on stage...
Rachel was at home dealing with the 2nd outbreak of the pukes, this time it was Brinley who fell victim. At this point Taber's parents had arrived too so together they lovingly stripped Brinley's bed, washed her sheets, scrubbed up her puke, and helped her get settled back down. At the same time, Teya was burning up with fever and was having delirious fits, so Rachel stayed up with her, comforted her and got her settled back down too.
What would I have done if my sister had not been here? It is awful when your kids are sick and you are not there to help, but it was so comforting to know that if anyone had to be with them, it was someone who is an experienced mother, who loves my children, and who I knew would care for them as I would.
The next day, with the Rigg's in town, we were also able to sneak away for a little sister date at the Takumi hibachi grill. It was a much needed break for both of us!
That night she also took off babysitting duty so she could come see the show. It meant the world to me to see her out there smiling in the audience.
On Saturday we had back to back performances that my Dad and the Riggs came to, so Rachel was back on for a full day of babysitting.
Apparently Cam had a massive meltdown that day, and Rachel also took on two extra kids that night so our friends from Boston could come see the show. If you don't believe there are angels on earth, you haven't met my sister! She is truly amazing!
On Sunday we just had enough time to do an Easter egg hunt around the house before it was time to take Rachel back to the airport. It was an exhausting week for her I'm sure and I can't even comprehend the sacrifice she made for us. Not many people would use their time and money for a "vacation" like that, except for those who are motivated by the kind of love that my sister has for me. These are the things people will do for you when they really truly love you, and I'm so blessed and lucky to have a sister like that. I love you Rach! Thank you for being my saving angel last week!
8 comments:
Whoa! Through the pukes and all! Rachel is the bomb dude! What a STUD!
P.S. You two are both ridonkulously gorgeous!
Oh how this makes me soo jealous!! ; ) I always wanted a sister, but ended up with all brothers. Some people get all the luck! I wish so badly that we lived closer so that we could have come and seen the play. Had we lived within a day's drive, I SOO would have been there. You make a most beautiful Mary. : )
Seriously, I am pretty sure there is a gene for superwoman mom, and I think that your family has it! You guys are amazing, and I am always seeing example in your blog of the type of woman, mom, sister, wife, and friend I want to be.
It is so great that your sister was there to help through all of that. What a week! And seriously, haven't you guys had enough of the pukes this year???
Aaah I just got all teary eyed. Rachel seriously is awesome. She watched my kids for me yesterday, fed me and then shared her delicious chocolate banana shake with me. It was so cute seeing her make memories with your kids. How could they not love Auntie Rachel. What a super woman. And I agree with Gomer. You guys look gorgeous!
That is one amazing sister! I'm sure you would do the same for her if she needed you. You are seriously wonderwoman!
Wow! This is my favorite blog post ever cause it makes me sound freaking awesome! ;-) haha! Seriously I was so happy to have the opportunity to come bond with your kids, (puke is a great bonding agent) and spend some time with you. You are an amazing woman who I try to emulate. Im so glad i got to see you perform the part of Mary. You are so talented Becca. Now i see what can happen to a person if they dont hide their talents. You are simply marvelous! (yes, I'm elitist) Love you Becs!
Aw, now I really wish I had a sister. She really is amazing. I love all the pics from the play. You guys look great and it sounds like it was such a great experience. It's so weird how the universe works like that--"Here God I am going be in this play about you and your Son, my sis is going to make the trek across the country to help me and my kids are going to get the stomach flu for the second time in a few months" awesome. I don't know what it is about stomach bugs this year but I swear everyone I know and their kids have had one like 2-3 times in the last few months. Nightmare. It sounds like everything worked out though, and like you totally rocked the performance, and your sister is a true angel of mercy, and you guys ran an amazing marathon. I think the Riggs have earned another trip to Turks and Caicos. ;)
rachel said she had fun with you but then i read your blog and realized what a whirlwind tour it really was! you two are so lucky to have each other!! heard some of your amazing singing and got to see your awesome dance moves via rae's ipad! wish we lived closer to you crazy girls~ fun life!!
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