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.

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...

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.

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.

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 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.