Family Friday

So I was ridiculously busy and stressed this week and I didn't blog at all, let alone do my Tribute Tuesday. I'm making up for it with this post about all my siblings. As most (if not all of you know) my family has been through a lot. In the past eight years we have seen our parents separate for three years and get back together, lost our grandfather to lung cancer, seen my mom battle breast cancer, lost our uncle suddenly, lost our grandmother, and lost our dad to cancer. Now we are again facing the cancer battle with our mom. Going through all of these struggles has only made me love my brother and sisters more. I honestly do not know how I would get through everything with out them. I thank God daily for my amazing family. I'll go through each one and share why they mean so much to me.

Cary: I love to tell this story and remind my brother about it: When I was born, my brother was almost 8 and after having two sisters, he obviously wanted a brother. My dad came home where they were all waiting to hear about my arrival and when my dad told them they had another sister, Cary was very upset and ran back inside the house crying. Luckily, our relationship has not followed that beginning. I have always looked up to my big brother and wanted to do everything he did. Thanks to him, I have a fondness for Corvettes, old and new, and a love affair with Mike Piazza (which has tapered off since he retired), just to name a couple. From the time I was in third or fourth grade to some time in middle school, each summer he would take me to a movie and maybe dinner. I can still remember all the movies we watched: Sidekick, Little Big League, Indian in the Cupboard and Matilda - these are some of my favorite memories. As we've gotten older our relationship has changed, especially since my dad passed away. Cary has really stepped up to make sure that I stay on the path to my degree and don't get discouraged on the long road. He is always there when I need someone to talk to and gives me sound advice. I admire him so much for the man he is. He works so hard (especially hard this time of year) for his wife and two precious girls and he still makes time to take on the "responsible" role for my mom, me and my sisters. I really just can't say enough about my brother. He is my hero and I love him very, very much. Thanks Cary, for being the best brother I could ask for!

Tiffany: My oldest sister and I are probably the most alike, at least as far as our personality. We are both independent, sarcastic, hard-headed and opinionated. I'm sure our family can add some other things too. We also look and sound the most alike. I can't tell you how many times I've fooled one of her boyfriends on the phone. For the most part, we have always been pretty close since there's a pretty big age difference (6 yrs). When we really got close was the summer before she left for college. I remember doing things with her that summer more than any time before. Even though we have always been far apart in distance and maybe don't talk but once a week, if we're able to do that, we are still able to pick up right where we left off (it helps that neither one of us likes to talk on the phone much). When I was in Texas, she would come through and pick me up on the way to Oklahoma for one of the kid's birthday parties. Those are definitely some of my best memories with Tiff. I miss being able to do that since I'm in Oklahoma now, and now she has Matt to ride with her. I love that she has found such a great guy that treats her so well. I am also so excited about her new baby boy, Devon. I know she's going to be an amazing mom; she's already so in love with him. Tiffany always listens to me vent and can relate probably better than most to me because we're so much alike. It means a lot to have a sister that is so open and honest with me and lets me be myself. I love you so much, Tiff!!

Chiara: Unlike Cary and Tiffany, Chi and I have not always been close. We fought all the time growing up (I even have some scars on my arms from her nails). We started getting closer when it was just the two of us at home and especially when I started high school. She was a senior when I was a freshman and was never too cool to talk to me or let me be around her friends. She even let me go out with her and her boyfriend when they would go to dinner after church - I'm not sure many sisters would do that at that age! There are a lot of things that I admire about Chi. In high school she was by far the best player on the softball team and was the reason they did as well as they did, but she would never tell you that. She had three or four different articles written about her in the Fort Worth and Dallas papers, but she'd never tell you that either. She downplays her accomplishments and doesn't like for people to talk about her like that. When I decided to go to college at OC, the main reason was so I could be around Chi and her new baby, Catch. Rather than go out and do the "college thing" I hung out with my sister and I'm glad I did. We are VERY different (she loves shopping, I hate it; she's quiet and reserved, I'm loud and crazy; she's laid back and doesn't get mad, I'm high-strung and get angry easily) but very much the same. People always say they can tell we're sisters and we don't know how since we don't look alike, then we'll be standing in line and notice we are standing the exact same way, we say the same things at the same times and we view 99% of things the same way. I would be lost without Chi, she is always there for me and is willing to go out of her way to help me when I need it. Chi, I will never be able to repay you for everything you've done for me. I love you!