Stuck in the middle with you...

And you, and you and you!
You might remember my blog a couple years ago about my middle child syndrome. I still feel like indeed I belong in that category, but lately I have been realizing how blessed I am to be the middle child.

My little brother Rhett is coming home for a few weeks for his Christmas break. He’s been in Tennessee as he and his wife Monica pursue higher education. I have missed him a lot. As I was thinking about Rhett it gave me an opportunity to reflect on each of my siblings and how because I am in the middle I have had an opportunity to have periods of my life where I have created deep bonds with each of them in adulthood.
The first began with my older sister Julie. She and her new husband (at the time) invited me to come and live with them for the fall of 2001, after I graduated high school, but needed to work and save money before going up to BYU in the winter of 2002. I worked with my sister as an aid in her pre-school class. She was just 22 at the time and I was 18. During the fall we shared so many great memories. From finding out she was pregnant, to the reaction of 9. 11. 2001. To shopping and cooking together and just enjoying being sisters without all the adolescent teenage drama. I would move back to live with them in the summer of 2002 and part of the summer of 2003. Since that time, Julie has been my best friend.

A visit to Julie after she had her thrid baby

Then there is my older brother Ryan. Ryan and I are just 18 months apart, and are as different as can be. He’s a hard worker, but he also has the ability to master talents, I do not. Whether it be piano, balloon animal making, calligraphy, reading or writing, Ryan is a kind of genius. We were able to form a special bond at BYU. We made it a point to get together every Tuesday to attend the campus devotional together. I cherished that time, and needed his support more than he really knows. He was there for me when I faced some of my darkest days and our bond grew strong from that point on.

Ryan and I received our Bachelor's from BYU at the same time

My younger brother Rhett, previously mentioned, and I didn’t bond as much when we were younger, we didn’t go to the same high school nor have many common interests. But when Rhett came home from his mission in Nashville, Tennessee, in the summer of 2006 he was different, and I was different. And we were both living under my parents roof. Rhett and I attended the Goldenwest Singles Ward together and during that time created a special bond on a deep spiritual level. We hung out with similar people, we went on bike rides together, we went to the temple together, we served together and got closer than ever. I am thankful for that time.

I love this picture, because of how Rhett's grabbing my hand, even as he's off with his new bride, he still shows love to me!

On to the last, my little sister Sarah. Although, most people think she is older than me, she’s taller, and always been mature for her age. Sarah and I are the only siblings that remain in Huntington Beach. I love Sarah more than she could possibly know. It took longer for our bond to form. There were obstacles along the way that kept us a bit distant from one another. But in the past year Sarah and I have been able to connect on a deep level. When she told me she would be getting married and wanted me to be her Matron of Honor, I felt more of a sense of guilt than pride. I should have been a better sister all along. I didn’t deserve this “honor.” But from that point on I committed myself to strengthen my relationship with her. I threw her a shower and a bachelorette party. I helped her through issues she had with her pregnancy and was able to meet her son the day he was born. I am so thankful for the past year and how it has strengthened our relationship. I am thankful to have a sister in the same city that I can continue to lean on.

This is when Sarah was 18, I was 22 see how she looks older than me.

So you see, I must say, being the middle child is a very special thing. Makes me think I should have 3 kids instead of 2 (don’t tell Adam that). I am so lucky to have the best brothers and sisters and the world who I love so very much and in so many different ways.

Yeah for brothers and sisters! Love you guys!