Sisters Do As Sisters Should

I am so blessed to have three sisters.

And even more blessed to be best friends with them.

Today is Kelsey's Birthday!

Kelsey is probably the greatest, most wonderful, most loving, happiest girl I could have ever asked for as a sister.

My life was Kelsey growing up.  I would turn around and there she was, always behind me.  She was terribly shy outside of the house, but once she was home where she was comfortable, there was no stopping her!  She was loud, crazy, fun!  She had this laugh that was almost a cackle.  For years, we liked the same things - we played soccer, listened to NSync together, watched the same movies...

That only lasted until she got to high school.  And then you find out that we are actually very different in style, music, tastes, etc...but, you will never find two sisters who will defend each other more.  Kelsey has it out for every man who has broken my heart - I love her for it.

Kelsey also has the biggest, sweetest, most tender heart of us all.  I have never met anyone with compassion like Kelsey.  She gets life a lot more than I do - in many ways, I think she has experienced more real life than I have.  Her life hasn't always been easy and I don't think she will ever understand how much I admire and look up to her.  She does not judge.  She can relate to almost any person.  She instantly loves.

During the last year, we got to work at the same school.  She became an aide in Cami's class.  So, sometimes, I feel like I haven't done my job as a big sister - not being the first to get married, the only one who went to BYU (going with hopes that soon my siblings will follow) - but I can say that my siblings have all fallen in love with students who have disabilities.  I will take credit for that.  It makes my heart so happy to see them truly love the kids who mean more to me than anything in the world.  Not only does Kelsey love them, but she is absolutely wonderful with these sweet spirits.  They adore my little sister.

Kelsey has been such a blessing to my life.  Kels - my hand keeps reaching to my heart as I think about you...I have no words to describe how huge my heart is swelling right now, but we know it is serious when my hand needs to cover my heart.  I love her husband and it was a proud day for me to watch her walk out of the temple with Scott.  I really think I have the best little sister in the world.  We had our times when we couldn't stand each other, but those will never outweigh the moments of love, laughs, and dancing.

I love you Kelsey.  I love you. I love you. I love you.  Thanks for being my sister.  Thank you for helping me grow into who I am.  Thanks for being my example.  Thanks for loving.  I have always needed you.

ooxxooXoXXx

Today

Today is big day for my family.


Today, my parents have been married for 25 years.  They are the couple I want to someday be.  They love each other and all of us kids have always known it.  They hold hands.  Sometimes they even kiss in front of us!  They have made it through ups and downs - today being both an up and down as their son loses his right leg below his knee/hopefully becomes completely cancer free!  My parents are my best friends.  I thought I had grown all independent while I was at BYU (though I talked to my mom on the phone everyday), but then they moved to Utah and I realized how much I just wanted to be around them.

Today, my brother will become a below the knee amputee, but also cancer free!!!  We are in the same waiting room that we sat in 4 months and 1 day ago.  The emotions and feelings of that day were unsure, fearful, sad...needless to say, it was a tough tough day.  Those emotions aren't here now.  A few tears have been shed, but there is peace around us.  There is laughing, smiling, and warmth.  There is confidence that everything is going to work out.

 He is so strong!



Thank you to everyone whose thoughts and prayers are with my family, especially with Porter.  We have felt every one of them.