List One Special Memory About Each of Your Brothers and Sisters

Nathan: A memory of my oldest sibling and brother, Nathan, is from when I was in my teens. I went through a phase where I acted out a bit and pushed my boundaries. I was in 11th grade and didn't know who I was or, perhaps more accurately, if who I was was the person I wanted to be. I got caught sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night (on school nights no less). I wasn't doing anything horrible but it really worried my parents. I had made a "bucket list" of sorts at the beginning of 2003. I wanted to accomplish a lot of things before I graduated high school and became an official adult. I wanted to take advantage of my youth. I died my hair blue, got henna tattoos, visited every single park and played on the toys, spray painted the school rock, went on a road trip, tried to sneak into the underground house, and, yes, sneaked out of the house.
AFter getting caught for the 3rd time, my brother sat down at the talble with me and told me that he loved me. He told me that I didn't have to do things like that to prove who I was and that I was a daughter of God. It was wonderful to hear those things and even made me cry because I love my big brother. Now he is a big, strong cop (detective) with a wonderful wife and sweet little daughter. He is always fun to be around and has a smile for everyone. Love you Niff. Thanks for those wonderful words that have always stuck with me.

Laura: I have a lot of memories of Laura. It's hard to choose. I remember a night when she was home from college before she got married. I was up late for some reason and she came home after spending time with her friends and Julie was with her. We all sat in the living room laughing our butts off about things and giggling about random things. It was always fun when I was included because we make each other laugh a lot. When she left for college was about the time when we became friends. We didn't fight as much and she was always there for me to talk to about boys and high school drama. She even sent me presents at school and made me feel special. I don't know where I would be in life if it wasn't for my sister. Because of her I met my husband, have the job that I have, the ambitions and dreams that I have and the bestest friend anyone could ask for. I love you Lurlen.

Jacob: Jake will always hold a special place in my heart. It's hard to think of him as an (almost) adult and not of the small, shy kindergartner I remember. Once Laura got too old to play with me, I turned to Jake who is 8 years younger than me. We would basically parallel play because I wanted to play more feminine games like House or dolls or cooking and he wanted to beat stuff up. So we comprimised. I built houses for my beanie babies and he would play drive them around in his GI Joe jeep and be the bad guy. I remember coaching his basketball team when I was in 10th grade and he was so sweet. I know it was hard for him sometimes because I could be tough and at times not know what I was doing, but he handled it well and was a good sport. They were all so cute running around the basketball court and shooting the ball. Now, he is a great friend and we love having him visit and geeking out with us about games and funny movies and shows. I love you Jacobi.

I love my family.