WC #8 Happy Birthday Diedre!

Today marks the second "event" in the very busy month of May with the birthday of my other daughter-in-law, Diedre!  This beautiful young woman probably had the most difficult time being accepted into our family, but we are SO very glad she is part of us today!!!  I'm not going to go into details, because it's ancient history, so I'll just say that although there was a bit of a rocky start due to the protective nature of the "other women" in Brandon's life we're all glad that he persevered and won the heart of his lady love.

Born Diedre Fuhriman, she comes from good German stock and the fact that her father served his mission in Germany provided her with a family culture rich in German tradition. She has blonde hair and BIG blue eyes.  The combination of Diedre's and Brandon's genes has insured that their sons also have big blue eyes.

Diedre & her Blue-eyed Boys!

Diedre brings a bit of coordination to the family.  She has the grace of a dancer (since her mother teaches dance) and the athleticism and enthusiasm of a cheerleader.  She sings beautifully too!  She has a degree in massage therapy and I've been told by other family members that she has magic fingers!  She's generous to a fault and willing to go without for herself if it means getting something a loved one needs.

High School Cheerleader
Boise, Idaho

A definite plus in Diedre's favor is her ability to go with the flow when thrown amidst the Sloan family chaos!  She didn't hesitate when she was asked to go to Dallas, Texas for a few weeks to help Samantha after her heart surgery.  It couldn't have been easy.  She didn't even really know the Carters all that well yet at that point, but she saw a need in her family, and she gave of herself!  She also jumps right into the craziness; willing to be a little bit goofy, just to make life a little bit more fun!

She could be silly BEFORE
she became a Sloan!

She is extremely patient, supportive, helpful and a tad bit insecure.  She's a loving mother of three sons (Krew, Gray & Bennett) and spends a lot of time with her boys, playing with them and teaching them to be fine young men.  While she's sensitive and loving, she's no pushover!  Of course they all push the limit with her, but she can whip her men into shape with a look or a tone in her voice that amazes me.  I mean, we're not just talking her babies here.  When she gets that look and uses that tone and tells Brandon to jump, he just wants to know how high!  A talent any mother of three boys needs to perfect!

Diedre with Bennet & Gray
March, 2013 in Texas!

Now, I mentioned in Emily's birthday blog (Feb. 11th) that both of my boys saw things in their wives that remind them of me.  While I would like love to say that Diedre reminds Brandon of me because of her beauty, coordination and voice, I must admit, 'tis NOT the case.  I believe the similarities between Miss Diedre and myself are internal with a strong emphasis on the insecure, sensitive and emotional characteristics. (Okay. Maybe a touch of the goofy too...)  While all the women in our family share a tendency to tears during emotional times, I believe only Diedre could possibly ever rival me in the tear department!  Not sure that that's a contest either one of us really wants to win though.... But, Brandon has broad shoulders and they're good to cry on.  And while he teases her about her tears, I remind him that he knew what he was getting when he realized she was as moved to tears as his old mom is.

So, there's our Diedre.  While it may have been a rocky start, we are so very blessed and happy to have Diedre in our family.  I think we'll keep her!

Happy Birthday Diedre! We love you!

Diedre & her Men
2012