Refinnej

Isn't she lovely at 17?

I like to do posts about my family on their birthdays but was caught in the hospital on Jen's (the 8th of March) and am several days late. But I hope I'm not a dollar short:)

Jen is my closest sibling, age-wise. She is seventeen months older than I am and we were only one year apart in school. That led to some pretty intense sibling rivalry growing up. In fact, I would say it wasn't until Jen left for college that we let the feuds die and realized how good of friends we were. Since then....we're thick as thieves.

I can remember some fights that were real doozies (but only one resulted in a black eye!). She, being organized and a good caretaker of her things, and I being somewhat sloppy and irresponsible, would have me sign contracts to borrow her clothes. They had to be returned in a timely order, hung up, without stains or I would incur a fine. Always thinking ahead...that's my Jen. I don't know how she put up with me, really.

We had to share a room for a large portion of our lives and she liked to have her penguin collection, her pencil collection, her eraser collection, her donald duck collection, and all of her priceless treasures just so. They were immaculate and perfect. I envied her. It was she who inspired my attempt at picking a raccoon for my favorite animal. She had this penguin thing going and it was her thing. Admittedly, she got a lot of penguin things for her birthday but I was jealous that she knew who she was right away. She liked Navy. She wore lots and lots of navy. And she always had the best clothes. Which led to the contracts I had to sign.

Here are some of my favorite things about one of my favorite people in the world.

• She's super smart. Her valedictorian speech at high school graduation started with, "Longfellow once said...." I can't remember the rest.
• She's a loyal friend. There are few truer ones out there.
• She's organized and willing to help me out in that area.
• She's not afraid to call a spade a spade. If she thinks you're full of it....she'll probably tell you.
• She's the biggest U2 fan I know.
  
• She's a master at the X96 dance.
• She's a hard worker.
  
• She makes no apologizes for being a picky eater. She likes what she likes!
• She tries very hard to live a Christ-like life.
• She's always willing to go on a soda run.
• She's a great hostess.
• She's got the eye for great deals and is fun to shop with.
• She doesn't follow the crowd - never wanted to get her ears pierced and has never done it.
• She always makes me feel good about who I am...even though I'm different than her.
• She always makes an effort to be close. It really doesn't matter where I end up because I know Jen will come and visit!
• She has good advise. She got her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and I trust her insight.

The pictures will tell some more stories. I realize most of them have me in them. That's because that's all I have. Jen, again...being organized and detail oriented....has her scrapbooks all done with all of the pictures of her. These - I found in one of my many shoeboxes.

An early Christmas. I love her smile!

Notice Jen's shirt......

....and again a few years later! I still get her hand me downs (when I'm lucky enough!)

Sharing a story with Dad at our Grandma's house in Utah.

I really remember this day. We wanted to get cute pictures of ourselves with props.

My mom usually made us "matching" dresses for Christmas and Easter.

Taunting me with my new sweetheart barbie.

Jen's low maintenance but she used to really like curl in her hair. Here's a temporary solution....

....and here's one of her more "perm"enant ones. She cried and cried.

Helping me out on my 15th birthday

One of the few pieces of clothing I remember her borrowing when we were both in high school...the white shorts!?!

Jen home for Christmas break during her freshman year of college.

The debut of "Little Drummer Boy". We've sung it together many times since.

A former devout Diet Coke drinker. She used to avoid restaurants if they didn't serve Diet Coke. But she's more versatile now.

Viva Mexico!

Jen visiting me the summer I live in Arizona with Diane.

Jen's apartment at the Glenwood. I loved being atcollege with three of my siblings!
(also...I think vests must have been in)

Jen and her roommate trying to cheer me up in my dumpy allred apartment.

Both of us home from college for Christmas break.

Jen celebrated my 21st birthday with me. Christopher was on his mission, and she was in grad school in Logan.

camping at Glacier with Jay and I (she was a great chaperon!)

Our glorious hike up to Grinnell Glacier

Horseback riding on Lythgoe's horses.

We were roommates for one semester at BYU and lived in a basement apartment on Cherry street. This is literally the only picture I have of that time. We hated that apartment.

married to our best friends. There is no better match for Jen than Christopher.

Jen truly loves my kids....and they love her.

She's my T-Tappin buddy! This is at our first workshop in Seattle with Lani.

Jen's house. Knowing her and Christopher, it'll just keep getting cuter and cuter. They are masters at the projects.

Isn't she adorable pregnant? Six months!


Happy (late) Birthday Jen! I love you!