Sisters-in-law

Amber, Brittany, DaNae, & JeuneElle on their fun trip to New York

The old saying goes when you marry your spouse, you also marry his or her family, right? So perhaps you can imagine my initial apprehension upon finding out that Jeff had four, yes four, all older sisters.

Now, in my family there are also four girls, so the lucky girl to marry our one brother probably had the same apprehension. In fact, once, we sisters decided that it would make things much easier if we just chose our brother's wife for him, so as to avoid any potential discord in the family if we didn't like who he chose. (Lucky for us, he chose better than we ever could have and she makes our family so much better than it was before she was around).

Perhaps Jeff's sisters had the same pact--and perhaps they were much more nervous to meet me for fear of the potential disruption of their sister bonds, since Jeff, like my brother, also ended up choosing for himself. And again, lucky for me, I couldn't have asked for better sisters-in-law (including Jeff's brother's cute wife, who came along later)--they were immediately kind, welcoming, accepting and in the 7+ years that I've been their in-law, I have developed a love, respect, and individual relationship with each one of them. They are all strong, independent women (with very different personalities), great mothers, and examples to me of righteous living and service. Each of them deserves a post of their own, but today, since the gift at the bottom of this post is in celebration of her new baby girl, the rest of this one will be about JeuneElle.

JeuneElle, the oldest of the four, probably has no idea how she has inspired me as a seamstress. On my first Halloween as a Fuller, I got to see the amazing costumes she stayed up all night sewing for her boys, made without a pattern, as is her specialty, and I decided I wanted to be like her when I grew up. For James's 2-year-old birthday, she found out he loved Super Grover and whipped out a cape in an hour that, three years later, is still the favorite item in our dress-up box. Although she doesn't have a lot of time to sew in her busy life, the things she makes are unique and very well-crafted.

She has always been incredibly generous--in fact, we were the lucky recipients of much of her baby gear 5+ years ago. Since much of it is too used and grungy to give back, we have been trying to think of the perfect baby gift for the little girl joining their family soon.

When she requested a limabeanhome custom diaper bag, I was absolutely flattered and have been nervous about making it perfect ever since. Jeff helped me pick out some great fabric when we were in Portland, and here is the final product. I really hope she likes it and it suits her needs.


It will be in the mail very soon. Jnel and family--we're so excited for your baby to arrive, and wish we could be there to welcome her. For now, this bag will have to suffice. It is made with much love.