My Big Sis

Last night I had a great catch-up conversation with my Dad... we usually are both pretty busy throughout the week to get further than "how are you.. ok? that's great... gotta run.." I hate that it has turned out that way, but it makes me extra thankful when we can have chats like yesterday and before I know it an hour and half goes by...

I really miss him sometimes, and especially during the holidays... I just wish I could have my family all around me... but that's super selfish and unrealistic... so for now I cherish every moment we get to see each other and appreciate our phone dates...

After we got off the phone I started thinking a lot about my older sister, Courtney, who lives north of Chicago... I miss her too... a lot...

My sisters and I with our Daddy :)

Fun at a White Sox Game in 2009

She is such a beautiful person on the inside and out... being that there is a 9 year age difference between us our relationship has gone through many changes... Through all the bad times and phases mostly caused by me being immature and annoying, I hope she truly knows how much I love and appreciate her... She has inspired me so much in the past couple of years because she has completely changed her life and way she lives... and mostly because of running!

She has inspired me to be a runner! This is before my first half marathon! She was such a great cheerleader!

It's amazing to have seen her transform before our eyes, and as great of a person as she used to be... I think she wouldn't be ashamed to admit that she changed so much in a very positive way... I am so unbelievably proud of her... for her dedication and talent in her career... for her calm and caring personality... and most of all for her dedication to our family...

I know it was hard for her a lot of times to look after Clark, Kayla, and I... and I think about that a lot... I hope she knows how helpful she was, and that her sacrifices to help out with everything will never be forgotten... I know moving forward as we have all transitioned into adults I can't wait to make more memories and spend as much time with her as possible... which of course is never often enough...

I was driving today and thinking about writing this... and I couldn't help but smile thinking about so many great memories... but my absolute favorite memory of us... is when I was a little girl laying with her in bed, falling asleep to "The Car Wash Song"... playing on her boom box! {The actual song was "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel"... why I called it the car wash song I have no idea... hehe}

I love you so so much Courtney! Always & Forever!