My Life Would Suck Without You

I was talking to a friend last night, and we were talking about how often we talk to our families.  I told him that I talk to my mom about once a week, my dad when I have a question about something (usually car/money/insurance related), and my brothers occasionally.  But my sisters—I talk to them at least once a week…both of them.  When I think about my sisters and my sisters-in-law, I am often reminded of the song by Kelly Clarkson called, “My Life Would Suck Without You” (hence the title of this post).  Let me just tell you why.

Amy is one of the funniest people I know.  At my house, we often talk about “Girl’s Camp Moods,” and Amy is the queen of those.  There have been many late nights where Amy just gets on a roll, and makes me laugh so much.  Amy has also made a lot of sacrifices for her family.  She stays at home with the kids because she knows that’s where she needs to be—even if that means giving up other things that the world might deem important.  Amy is also known for getting people in our family to do things they don't really want to do.  I hear that while I was on my mission, she worked so hard, and got everyone else to work so hard, when they were remodeling the house.  I also love the relationship she has with my mom.  Their situation is not easy, but she has a unique bond with my mom.  I really admire that.  Other random things:  she has a great laugh; she has a gift with putting small children to sleep; she LOVES her kids; she has a really tender heart; and she is excellent to talk to about boy problems.  I love Amy!

Mandi is like superwoman.  She is a fantastic mom to her son, Daxton, an amazing wife to her husband, Nate, and yet still manages to be a compassionate, wonderful nurse.  Mandi is also awesome because she always wants to spend time with the family.  Whenever I come home, she always makes time to see me as much as possible, and she just loves being with the family.  She and Nate always take Amy's kids and do fun things with them.  I think there are just as many pictures of Abby and Lyla on her blog as her own child.  But she loves them.  Family is what really matters to her.  I wish I were more like that.  Other random things:  she is super hard working; she somehow tamed Nate—not sure how she did that; she has really random, oftentimes disgusting experiences at work; and Daxton and Nate are the center of her universe.  I love Mandi!

Alicia seriously amazes me.  She works so hard for what she wants.  She always has.  Alicia wanted to sing well, so she worked hard, and she does.  She wanted to be really good at soccer, so she worked hard, and she is.  She wanted to get into nursing school, and do well there, so she worked hard, and she did.  It’s like, no matter what she wants, she can get it, because she is so darn determined and hard working.  Alicia never gives up.  When other people would just forget about their dreams because they are too scared of failing to really try, Alicia succeeds.  I am constantly in awe of her.  Other random things:  she and Peter are the most frugal, amazing budgeters known to mankind; she is such a good sport about trying new things (again, she is not afraid to fail)—she all of a sudden goes skiing and to amusement parks, despite puking after rides; she and her husband love and respect and adore each other SO much.  I love Alicia!

Krista is a really good listener.  And she is very wise for her age.  Even though I technically have more life experience, mostly just because I am older than her, she can still manage to give me advice and put my problems in perspective.  She is also very perceptive.  She intuitively knows when someone is struggling or having a hard time, and she knows just what to say to help.  Krista is also just very kind.  She really cares about people.  She seems to hurt right along with people she loves when they hurt.  She cries with them and for them.  She feels what they feel.  She succors people.  I really wish I were more like that.  Other random things:  she is incredibly independent and stubborn; she has fabulous ambition that will bless so many people’s lives in the end; and she loves our family more than anything, and does whatever it takes to make us happy.  I love Krista!

So basically, I have the best sisters ever.  They make me so happy, and I am in constant awe of them.  Even though we are all in different stages in our lives, we still love each other.  Even though sometimes we drive each other crazy, our lives would be so incomplete without each other.  So, ladies, my life would suck without you.  I love you all!