Wrap up...

This semester I have really noticed an improvement in both of the relationships that I decided to focus on - one good and one not so good.

The main reason why I chose Breanne for my "good" relationship is because this is her last semester and I honestly don't know when I will see her again after this semester. She is my best friend and is a big support in my life. I'm really going to miss spending time with her.

Now, you have to understand, I really do have a good relationship with my sister Holly. Just not great. It was really bad when we were younger. We used to fight all the time and we never got a long. I think another thing that kind of drives a wedge in between us is the fact that she doesn't go to church. She KNOWS the church is true, she just... well, hasn't made the smartest decisions in her life. She tells us all the time that she feels "stuck" and I don't think she realizes we would do anything for her to not feel that way. I really do feel as if our relationship has improved since I have been making a conscious effort, and I will continue to do so.

A good laugh and a break...

It's the end of the semester, and we're all a little on edge. Last night I was working on homework when I got a text from Breanne and this is how the conversation went...

Breanne: So... what r ya doin?

Me: Well, working on homework. What are you doin?

Breanne: I am sprawled on my bed throwing a tantrum... yes a tantrum. I need to get out. Want to do something?

I got in the "Rescue-the-friend-from-homework" mode and started making suggestions. We ended up taking a much needed break and 5 episodes of Big Bang Theory later, we were laughing ourselves silly.

I am grateful for friends in a time when de-stressing is necessary.

We ain't gonna live forevah...

This last weekend was one of the last REAL weekends that I could spend time with Breanne. She is graduating this semester and she is moving on with her life. This picture is a sample of what we did... We painted with lights! You turn off all the lights in the room and use glow sticks to trace the outlines of individuals. We're Charlie's Angels can't you tell??? Anyways. I'm going to miss her...

Phone Call...

Yesterday was one of the most awful days that I've had in a long time. By 6:00 I had already vented to my mother, Breanne, and my roommate Whitney. There are times I really need to talk to people but I feel like I'm just being a burden and annoyance to them. The day just continued to get worse and by 10, I REALLY needed to talk to someone. The person I could think of? My sister Holly. Despite our differences we have always been able to listen to each other and I knew I could depend on her. So I called her and we talked for about 45 minutes. It was so helpful to have her there just to listen to me. I love my sister and everything she does for me. We will be friends forever.

Slipping

I have to admit I've been letting it slip with Holly lately. It's just so hard because our lives are so busy and we live so far away from each other. The break was good though. We were able to spend some time together but not as much as we would have liked. It's hard to strengthen a relationship with someone when you can see yourself moving in a completely different direction from them...

In Common...

I don't know if I mentioned before but me and Breanne used to live together... I think I did. Remember that happen chance thingie? Anyways. I miss having my friend in the room next to mine. One thing that we used to do together is watch the Big Bang Theory. It's a tv show on CBS. It's so funny! I think I like it particularly because you have to think to keep up with the dialogue. Anyways. We don't do that as much as we used to. Over Thanksgiving break I got a text from Breanne saying she'd bought Big Bang Theory season 3 for me! I was so excited! I have such a great friend who thinks of me when Black Friday shopping at 3 in the morning.

Sisters and Pizza

Well I made it to Utah safely. I beat the snowstorm so fast that I decided to stop in Ogden where my family were all at my cousin's wedding reception. So I decided to stop. Luckily I had a dress, heels, and tights handy so I was able to quickly change in the bathroom. I was so excited to see everyone and spent a lot of the reception hanging out with my sisters Holly and Jenny. Jenny ended up sending her kids home early with her husband Jason and after the reception just us sisters went out for pizza. (Mind you at about 10:00 pm) We had so much fun. I don't remember the last time just the three of us were able to sit down and spend time together without kids. I really wished I could spend more time with these girls. I love my sisters dearly and want to be closer to them. This was the start to an "improve the relationship" week with both of them, but especially Holly.

Yeah... Woops...

I'm going to admit right now. Up front. Not even lie. I've kind of let the "not so good" fall off the cliff - in a sense (not literally). But I haven't talked to my sister Holly for a couple weeks. And what can I say? Life kinda just happens and things get crazy sometimes. School has just been crazy these last three weeks. But I am looking forward to a well deserved break and time with my family. I WILL be picking up the slack next week with Holly. I promise. BEST of friends. :)

A friend in need...

It always makes you feel good when you help a friend in need. But thats not why we should do it. We should do it because we care and we want what's best for them. Breanne is graduating this semester and has been having a hard time lately. It's been really hitting her that her life is starting and she has some very important decisions ahead of her. So what did I do? Well I did what any good friend would, we went out for ice cream! I let her talk it out and was her sounding board for her frustrations and thought about what she should do. She felt better afterwards and I was glad that I could help a true friend in need.

We care

I worry about Holly a lot. I know she isn't happy with her life and she thinks she has the best that she could right now. It's not true. My sister Jenny gets to talk to her more than I and we both worry that she is in a relationship she feels she is stuck in. (She lived with her boyfriend for two years then finally got married a year ago. He's kind of a bum and lives to hunt.) We love her and care for her and I hope she knows our family is ready to help her whenever she needs it.

Girl time.

Breanne was so kind to go help me with taking portraits for my photo class yesterday. She is such a great friend and I appreciate everything she does. Yesterday we had a great day doing what girls do best. Giggling. Breanne came over later and we watched Peter Pan. You know... that newer one with the very attractive young kid in it. Oh goodness I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It definitely was a great way to start the week! I can always count on her to make my day brighter.

Breakthrough...

I think me and my sister Holly had a breakthrough this weekend.... Saturday I got back from the store and was so tired so I took a nap. In the middle of my nap I was woken up by that annoying, ringing phone. It was Holly. I don't remember the last time she called just to chat. We talked for 30 minutes! It was so great and it made me miss her even more. She was on her way to the store and needed someone to talk to. I wish we lived closer. I think we could both use that constant support in our life.

My Sister...

So this is my sister Holly. Beautiful, gorgeous, amazing. I love her. I want to be a more giving person like her. She is also the person who I am trying to better my communication with. This week I've taken to asking how she's doing every day. I think this shows her better how much I care for and love her. I also wrote her a thank you note (for my birthday) and thanking her for being wonderful. She deserves more than she gives herself credit for.

Sisters forever...

This weekend I got to spend some good quality time with Holly. On Saturday before we went out for my birthday, we got ready together. I kind of felt 8 years old again... It was so much fun though. We did each others hair and helped each other get ready to go out. We were able to talk and listen to each other and what had been going on in life. Sisters forever...

The Good - Color Test/ Roadtrip

This past weekend I decided to take a quick trip to Utah to visit my sister. Whenever I drive to Utah, Breanne goes with me and visits her parents for a couple days. A six hour drive is a long drive, but we stayed entertained trust me. I also asked Breanne to take the color test for fun to see what she was. Breanne's colors are White (18), Blue (10), Yellow (5), Red (3). My scores are Red (15), White (9), Yellow (7), Blue (4). But I really think it depends on the day....

So for class Sister McKenna asked us to do a social experiment over the weekend. So I had Breanne take this test, and then did some do's and don'ts for Breannes color, white. Breanne hates making decision, (and so do I for that matter). So it's always fun to see her squirm when I make her take the leadership role in making decisions (where we stop or what music we are listening to). One "Do" that I am working on with Breanne is to listen quieter, longer. We both need people to listen to us I know so I paid close attention to what she was saying and stayed quiet. I think she really appreciated it.

Overall it was a good weekend. Me and Bre always have a great time!

The Not So Good - Increase Communication

Sisters - Me, Holly, and Jenny

I have set some goals to better my relationship with Holly. The main and most important I think is to increase communication.

I don't talk with my siblings very often. I wish I did, but they are all just so busy with their lives. I talk to Jenny the most often, but I hardly ever talk to Holly. I really would like to talk to her at least 3 times a week either through text or on the phone. I think this would really improve our relationship in a huge way.

The Good - Listening

So here's a report on "The Good" relationship.

I see Breanne every day, so there are all sorts of opportunities to build our relationship. One thing I have been trying to do lately is be a better listener. I feel like I dominate the conversation a lot when we hang out. But I'm practicing being a better listener.