Our Knight in Shining Armor

No, this post isn't about gladiators and knights.  Nor is it about the mid-evil.  This post is about Aunt Kate, my sister, our knight in shining armor.  I'm not sure our family of three could exist without Aunt Kate.

Aunt Kate is the dreaded middle sister in our family.  Regardless of actuality, it is always the perception that the middle child is in the background.  And some of that is probably true... the first born is busy forging the path and the parents are figuring it all out for the first time and the baby sister gets all the attention because, "she's the last one!"  Fair? Probably not.  True?  Not all the time.

I just want this post to praise my middle sister, someone who probably doesn't always get the praise she deserves out loud.  The young woman who sometimes thinks she blends into the background.  **Several people throughout Parker's existence so far deserve tons of praise and they have my complete gratitude.  ***Nor is this a post excluding my youngest sister, who is every bit an awesome Aunt. 

I was so excited when Kate told me she was moving to Houston.  It was instant relief.  My kid would have someone else besides me and his dad close by.  If there was an emergency and neither myself or Robert could be reached, there would be family in town. 

Well, Aunt Kate has gone above and beyond the call of duty.  She doesn't just play with Parker when she feels like it.  She comes over and helps feed him, bathe him, change his diaper, play with him, bounce him when he's cranky, goes to doctors appointments with me, cries with me, swims with Parker, helps me with household chores and even run some errands for me.  She is AMAZING with Parker.  Parker loves her so much.  I swear, Parker smiled at her before she smiled at me!  She does all of this out of the kindness of her heart.  She doesn't run away when he cries and isn't afraid of a poopy diaper.  She has such a way with him.  What's so amazing is that she has really stepped in to help me while Robert is away.  She is my confidant and Parker's greatest friend.

She truly has a way with kids and our life would not be the same without her.  Thank you Aunt Kate.  You are our knight in shining armor.  Please know how much we love you and how much we need you. 

Parker and his Aunt Kate