Oh geez! That means I have to start with Sara, and I'm not sure I'm ready for her! haha!!
SARA
She's just about as stable as a ping pong ball on a teeter totter on a boat! And I love her to pieces. It is fair to say that Sara and I have not had the best relationship in the world, and if you were a sibling of ours you would most definatley bet that Sara and I could have gone the rest of our lives without ever having an ounce of respect for one another. But, one magical day (07/07/07 - Josi's wedding to be exact) something happened. It wasn't the first time Sara and I "made up", nor was it the first time we thought "things would be different". Instead, we made no promises. We pointed no fingers. Something happened that day that neither one of us can explain - but we both know that was the beginning of our brand new friendship. All our emotional scars, baggage, resentment, regrets and anger were left where we stood, after we hugged on the dance floor that night. I will be the first to admit that I was not exactly the best big sister on the planet. Well, not to Sara anyways! Her childhood was tormented by nightmares of me! If I wasn't trying to "win" at everything we did, or be "first" for every thing we wanted, I was busy picking on her. It's a miracle she didn't grow up into a mental case! Oh wait! she did! hahahaha......and even though I was her tormentor, I was ALWAYS the first one to defend her. I was the ONLY one allowed to pick on her! Despite our childhood and all the "rottenness" in it, we have grown to love each other very very much. I know she counts on me for honest advice, I know she trusts me, I know that I am important to her - just as she is all those things to me. I love that we are so important to each other now, I love that I can call her whenever I need her (and she will be a real grumpy ass at first, especially if I wake her up too early or catch her in the middle of driving down the road with a cat puking in her car), but then...she will always smarten up, put a smile on her face and be there for me!
Sissy and Beausie, that's who we are! We started out rough, continued with ignorance but are finishing full of love.
Sara...I love you - for how crazy you are, for your sense of humor (I'll never forget you standing at the hotel front desk with a case of beer between your feet and some stranger says, "Oh! BEER! We've been driving for 24 hours and need a beer! Where did you get that?" And your response, of course, in a very "matter of factly voice" was, "Well, personally, I just gave birth to this one. I don't know where YOU'RE gonna get one!") I love how polite you are to strangers, I love how to laugh at my dumb jokes and I love the most...that we are finally "sisters". For real.
It may have taken us 34 years to get it right, but at least we did! I cannot wait to share the rest of my life with good memories of me and you!
xoxooxxo
ANNA
Oh, I know how much she loves it when I call her "Areola Anna!" hahah. I have no idea where that name came from, but it stuck and I can't help but call her that! Oh, poor Anna. Now, obviously Anna isn't my REAL sister but to me she was a sister a long, long time ago. Despite the fact that I absolutely terrified her when she first met me, it didn't take her long to realize how awesome I was! LOL. Matt starting dating Areola back in June 2005 and I have loved her ever since! When it comes to "similarities", Anna and I share a few. Mostly in the "creative" sides of ourselves. We share a lot of the same opinions, views and values. Where we differ is when it comes to style, pop culture, and being just plain ol'....cool! See, it may come as a shock to most of you, but I'm really not sensible when it comes to being "cool". Anna is. I remember one day (and she must have just LOVED loved loved me for this one), we had to run to the dollarstore, and like every other day in my life, I was in track pants. But this day was special. I was wearing Dwayne's old, huge, baggy bum track pants. And, Anna - being as sweet as she is - didn't say a word. She may have stayed a few steps behind me, but did go into that dollarstore with me! Baggy track pants and all. From that day on, I have done my best to put on a pair of jeans whenever I go out with her!
Anna is an awesome woman, with a gentle heart, and kind soul. She is humble and shy, does not like large groups (unless it's at a really rockin rave!). She would much prefer the company of one or two people rather than a party. She bounces when she dances, she claps her hands when she is happy, she likes to blurt out "ooh, ooh ooh!" when she gets excited. She twirls her hair chronically ("I've done it since I was a kid!" she'd say), she hates coffee, loves old nostalgic music and she is totally awesome to be around. Whether you're shopping, lounging, playing a video game or just talking, Anna is a comfort to be with. I think I may drive her nuts sometimes with my odd bursts of random energy, and a few times I've caught her looking at me like I'm completely mental, but I know she loves me! I love that no matter what, I can always be myself around her and even though we are completely opposite in some aspects of our friendship, we are so much alike when it matters the most.
Anna, I'm so happy you came into Matts life, to be a part of our family. Thanks for everything you've ever done for me. I will never forget how patient you were with me and my wedding...how you were a true matron of honor - right to the end. I love you.
JOSI
I've been going through photo albums, picture folders and old scrapbooks to find pictures for this blog. I was hoping to get pics of me with every sister. Turns out, Josi and I barely spent any time together until the past couple years. And even then...we don't have many pics together. This makes me very sad. It's either her or I behind the camera lens- we are never in pics together. Josi...that's it! Next time, we have to set our camera's on the tripod and get some pics of us!
Despite the fact that Josi and I did not share a lot of time together when we were younger, her becoming a mother has pulled us very close together now. It's funny how becoming a mommy can do that! Her children are beautiful children, perfect replica's of Josi and Dan :)
I have learned over the past few years that Josi is completely cool. I would have never guessed that she had such an amazing sense of humor (and even rude at times!!) and could be such a trickster!! Like, at Matt and Anna's wedding - Erica and I decided to exchange dresses with eachother. We threw our own dress over the stall in the bathroom and in the midst of our exchange, Josi stole the dress I was to put on, and she ran away with it!! Leaving me naked in the bathroom. I totally thought it was Jeseka who did it, and was completely shocked to find out it was Josi!
If you want to really annoy Josi....when you are visiting her, tell her that you want everything in her house! haha. I was really bad for that many years ago...I used to want everything she had. Now, just to bug her, I tell her that I want everything she owns! It's so funny to watch the look on her face when Dan tells me I can have whatever I want, and Josi thinks we serious! hahahaaa. Oh, Jo...I love you!
I think one of my favorite things about my lil' sis, is that she is really awesome to talk to. Probably my third favorite in the world. Next to my Mom and husband.
Josi may come across as "opinionated", "judgemental" or "a little difficult to talk to" but for me quite the opposite is true. Her opinions matter to me, because she is smart, thinks things through and is rational. She makes good judgements and may let you know what she is thinking, but it's always going to be honest and true. I find her insight enlightening, her stories full of passion and excitement, and she is one of the best listeners I know! Not only does she listen to your story, but she remembers it.....and follows up! I love it!
I am thankful to have Josi in my life, close to my heart and as a great friend. Josi...you are very important to me and I hope our friendship only gets closer and stronger!
JESEKA
My sweet "Kaka"...poor kid has to be known as Kaka! Little Erica couldn't say Jeseka and called her Kaka since she (Erica) was 2. It stuck!
Wow...I guess when it comes to Jes, I feel very possessive. Almost like a Momma bird, protecting her lil' chick. Jes, to me, is a frail, fragile wee thing and if I didn't watch out for her, then who knows where she'd be! It's all in good love though and I do my best not to be overbearing or controlling - just enough love to let her know I am her protector! Jeseka has been my "baby" ever since she was a baby and I have always had this special place in my heart for her. I think between her and I, we have the most inside jokes ever! From, "Go change your litter box", "peeing on rooftops", "all packed and ready to go", "eyes wide shut" and tons more. I think "Go change your litter box" is our favorite. No matter how upset, sad or grumpy the other is, we both seem to know just the right thing to say to the other to put a smile on their face! I love that every single conversation we have either starts or ends in laughter. :) I also love our "love wars". I love YOU more! xoxoxoox
I think Jeseka is the one I feel most comfortable being completely honest with...like when I'm upset or angry with her. I never fear that an arguement will tear us apart. It's like I feel that no matter what - we will always be close and it's ok for me to tell her that I'm mad! Funny that I feel that it's ok to tell her that I'm upset with her, cuz she is the most sensitive lil' kitten on the planet!
I love that she feels free with me, free to open up and share her life with me.
Jeseka has been a huge part of my life, sharing some of the best and worst times with me. She knows my demons, and has witnessed probably more than she needed to. She spent an outrageous amount of time with me and my kids when they were babies, and did everything with me/them. I absolutely LOVED watching my lil' Jes grow up, and dancing our days away.
I love you Kaka!
ASHLEY
Oh what a nut!! I tried to find a nice pic of her...and I did, but this one is my all time favorite! So, I had to use it! hahahaha.
Ashley has grown into a really really awesome young woman. There are no boundaries, no limits, no saying "no" when it comes to Ashley. The girl speaks fluent French, dances (jazz, hip hop, ballet and more), is on student counsel, honor student, works, volunteered to go to Honduras, and much. much more. I'm so proud of her, all her accomplishments and all that she is about to do. Not only is she brilliant, but she is freakin hilarious too! Didn't know a nerd could be cool did you? haha. I think Ashley brings out the silly kid in me, and makes me do things I wouldn't normally do. I don't know what it is about her that makes me so giddy but I love it.
I love that we have been building our friendship on a really good foundation - one that will only get stronger. Ashley is the perfect person to have in your life for stability, good ol' fashion fun, humor, sensibility, reality and "down to earthness" (if that even makes any sense!) She is well rounded and just plain old fantastic!
I love that every single time we are together, we laugh until we cry (or pee our pants!) haha. Seems that we can't go one time of seeing each other where we don't go just a little bit crazy! I can't even pick my favorite "funny" with Ashley, but a few come to mind right now. ooooookkkkkkaaaaaayyyyyyy, kumquat, that's a big hole!, there's too many eggs in this kitchen....and many many more.
Ashley, you are an amazing girl, and a great sister. I cannot wait to see what is in store for you and your future!
xoxoxoxoxo
What amazes me about all my sisters is that every single one of you is unique; special in your own way. You are all different from each other, yet - I am always myself with you. I never change with any of you, I am always myself. I find it funny that I can always be "me" with such different kinds of people.
You girls play important roles in my life, each bringing a special something to my world.
I love you all very much.
I wish I had a picture of me with all you girls. Well, I do, but Erica is in it too. I have another but Ashley is missing. So, these'll hafta do!
Thank you all for being with me during differnt times in my life. Happy, sad, joyous, celebratory and frustrating. You've all played a part in my every day and I love you all for it! xoxoxxoxxxoxxox
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