Today is my Grandma Ruby's 90th birthday, and I feel it only appropriate to talk about all the of the women in my life who have been extremely influential. As I think about each woman, I realize that I have been VERY blessed to know so many!
Grandma Ruby is 90 today, and probably has more energy and initiative to accomplish goals than I do! She is one of the sweetest women in the world, and yet, she's got a sassy side too! She is a hard-worker and the best example of how we can all be missionaries our entire lives. I am so excited for her to come to Utah in a couple of weeks!
Grandma Lois is one of the funniest women that I know! While I mentioned Ruby's sassy-ness, I think Lois wins in this department. One of my favorite memories with her is when we were at the Sipes home for dinner, and we played dominoes afterward, and as I started to consistently win, she looked over at me and said, "I never did like you very much". That STILL makes me laugh to this day! Aside from being hilarious, she is a fabulous example to me of a true woman of faith. She is strong, caring, and all-around wonderful! I'm so grateful for my grandmas!
I definitely need to give a MAJOR shout-out to my sisters (real and in law). Sara, Scott's wife, gives me so much hope for my future. She stayed true to herself, got through BYU, and found a pretty awesome guy, so maybe I have a chance! She is intimidatingly intelligent,beautiful, a modern-day feminist(as am I!), and an incredible cook! She makes so much sense in our family, and I love her!
Erin is the newest addition to our family, and the living proof that I was right to be frustrated with Dave when he was in High School! I used to get so mad because I found his taste in girls shallow, and then he finally grew up and married someone who IS beautiful, but also smart, funny, caring, and wonderful! She has been so good to me, and such a great friend and mentor here in Utah! (And a side note, Erin's family has been SOOOOO good to me, and I love them! Erin's mom and sisters are for SURE among my favorite women! The guys are ok too. :) They have given me a family here in Utah that I have needed lately!).
My sister, Missi or Melissa (depending on which you prefer...I personally can't call her Melissa, it just feels weird), has guided me through my entire life! She is 8 years older than me, and has showed me how I ought to be living my life (although I'm a few years behind in the whole husband, pregnant department). She is beautiful, smart, hilarious, hard-working, loving, responsible, and pretty much everything I want to be someday! She has raised three of the cutest kids in the world who are fun, sweet, and smart. I have been SO lucky to have her in my life! I feel so blessed to have family members who are more than just that, they are my best friends!
Now, obviously, there are so many more women I love and admire, but if you're still reading this, you're probably waiting for me to get to my mom. So thank you to all my great girl friends out there, but my mom kinda wins.
Where do I start with my mom? The first thing I have to say about her is that she is my best friend and biggest fan who loves me so much, and that gets me through every single day, no matter what. That alone is really enough, and more than a lot of others can say. I have never questioned her love for me or anyone in my family. She would do literally anything to make me happy, and is one of the most selfless people I know. She trusts me and my decisions, and has never forced anything on me. She is beautiful, caring, Christ-like, quirky, fun, intelligent, spiritual, and pretty much everything a mother should be! She does so much for others without asking for recognition, and I admire that so much! I'm not sure how to ever repay her for everything she has done and all the clothes and make-up she has bought! :) Thank you for being my friend and example!
Well, there are so many more women who have influenced me and blessed my life, so thank you to all of you as well! Let's hope I learn a thing or two from each of these special ladies!
3 comments:
You made me cry, in a good way . . . I am so grateful for my sweet, amazing Jen - one of the greatest blessings in my life! I also admire and love all these Wonderful Women you talked about.
What a legacy for the next generation of Women (starting with Claire).
I concur on all points of this email!:)
I also know a wonderful woman named Jen, who is so determined, so lovely, so fun, so intelligent, so kind, so giving, so fashionable, so genuine, so real, so fabulous in everyway that it makes me think that your observations of these other women have sunk in and are most definitely a part of you. As for all of the wonderful statements you mentioned about each of your kin, remember that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. You are one incredible apple :) Love you Jen!
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