My Siblings

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~Linda Sunshine


A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James


“A sister is one who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.”

“For there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather, to cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands.” ~ Christina G. Rossetti

I have been blessed with two sisters. My older sister, Nicole, is a 40 year old married momma of three. She is a creative writer, inspirational singer, avid runner and exercise lover and one of my best friends. She is two years older than me and as a young girl and woman  I looked up to her for everyday advice and fashion sense. We danced together, sang in choir and a girls' group together, went to youth camp together and got saved on the same day.  We love each other deeply and can fight and be devious just as passionately. She instilled in me a love for learning, teaching me when she would come home from school before I started. She was my Lamaze and labor coach when my oldest son was born and she lived with me during the last trimester, filling in for me at work and taking college courses with me(and taking notes during our TV courses while I fell asleep). Her house was a favorite vacation spot for me and Josh whether she lived in VA or MO. I still value her advice and insight for spiritual things. But, as far as fashion sense, I now default to my baby sister.

Janie, is a 30-something married momma to five kiddos. She is intelligent, beautiful, an amazing cook and loving confidant. She has endured such heartache that no one should ever endure, yet she has emerged stronger and more spiritual than ever before. We share the privilege of leading blended families along with our husbands and she is a gracious mother and loving wife. She is very fashionable and can make a pair of jeans look glamorous. She is called the Queen of Useless Information because I can call her anytime I forget the name of one of the Wiggles or need to know where the most recent terrorist attack was in the Middle East. We used to watch ER together, go on late night Wal-Mart and Taco Bell runs together and have survived a few blizzards together (one that included being stuck in the house with two toddlers). She is always one of the first people I call with good and bad news, to ask for prayer or share some juicy gossip.     

One of my favorite memories with Nicole is when we were visiting her and her family in MO for her husband's college graduation. I was in the bedroom and she came in and said, "Let's go!" We went to a local Chinese place and she treated me to the best cashew chicken I have ever had. We just talked and laughed and ate. It was nice to just spend time with her. With my sister and my friend.

One of my favorite memories with Janie is when we had been stuck in the house with our toddlers during a blizzard. Our dad came home from work and offered to drive us to the grocery store, one of the only places open. So, we went inside the store and spent at least an hour wandering the aisles which were painfully bare and loading up on comfort food - icecream, baked Lay's, onion dip and Diet Coke. I do not remember what we talked about, but I remember that it was great to have someone to just hang with and shop. With my sister and my friend.

Of course, we have had our times when we have fought, but those have been few and far between the time where we have laughed and loved.

I am blessed with two sisters, extraordinary women who have helped mold me and allowed me to grow, thorns and all into the woman I am today.