My neice

(Audrey and me summer 2003)

Audrey is the oldest grandchild in the family. And I could easily say the most beloved by all.
She was born when I was nine years old. My mother, sister, and I all flew out to Atlanta to see her. I sang "silent night," to Audrey while walking down a dark hallway to help her fall asleep. My sister Jessica and I would fight over who got to hold her. I spoke gibberish with her when she was one years old (and now she listens to me speak gibberish about raising kids). I babysat her, played with her, and adored her.

Audrey is more like a sister to me than a niece. She's lucky she didn't live by me. I would've begged her to go to lunch with me, gone to all her functions, etc., and she would've been begging me to leave her alone. Also, she is so sweet to my children and loves them. Did I mention she has amazing hair that is natural-no coloring.
(Audrey and me last summer 2009)

I admire Audrey in every way. She wasn't a drama queen in high school, and still isn't. She isn't catty or easily offended; I've yet to hear her say a bad thing about anyone. And to top it all off, after her freshmen year at BYU, she volunteered to go to India for three weeks and work at a leprosy colony: washing the patients feet, bandaging them, hugging them, talking to them, loving them-and doing it all with a smile. After my freshmen year, I volunteered myself to go to Paris, to go shopping, and eat delicious food, and stay in a beautiful home in Versailles.
She's been blogging about her experience in India. She comments on her love for the people and the blessings she feels by serving them. I keep asking my sister what's her secret in raising Audrey. If my daughters turn out like her I'd be one lucky lady. Actually, if I turned out like her I'd be one lucky lady myself.
(Audrey in India. Isn't she beautiful.)
(seriously who has natural hair color like that)

I'm so proud of Audrey.