"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves".

My family.

Where do you even begin with them? They are crazy, loud, huge, and obnoxious. And I love them. Usually. My sister is my best friend, and the one person who can really upset me more than anyone else. She is the one I know I can tell anything, and the whole family will know the next day. She is just Sarah. It took her years to learn the capital of France :) (what is it Sar...do you remember?) She is just like my mom. She is the one I call to ask about our childhood. "did that really happen, or am I making it up?" "Where/who did we live with when...?" She went through life with me. And life is sooo not easy, and sometime not so fun. We are only 15 months apart, and connected in a way I can't explain...even though I'm the smart one. :)

(I have no pics of us together besides this. ;))

Both my parents were one of six children...although my mom grew up with her 5 cousins too, so I really have 15 aunts and uncles. And they are crazy. Every summer, the 2nd weekend in July you can find the whole Jackson tribe camping in Wisconsin. It is the best weekend of the summer. There is a lot of alcohol, camp-fires, cousins, singing, canoeing, complaining, and laughing involved. It is fun...besides sleeping in a tent, peeing in the woods, one of your many cousins/uncles collapsing your tent in the middle of the night, getting sunburned in the canoe, getting your canoe tipped and losing your lunch. There was even a time when someone put a live chicken in my uncles tent for an entire day and it pooped over everything. That is the kind of thing my family does. Why, you ask? I have NO idea. They think it's funny. And it is, unless it's happening to you. Then you get pissed. Or at least I do. I love my family...I really do. But sometimes I just can't stand them. :) Thank God for friends. And for jobs that require moving across the country.

Back to friends. I have soooo many wonderful and amazing friends who have changed my life. and blessed me in so many ways. I wish I could write each and everyone of them...but I am so blessed that it would take me years! But I will throw out a couple :)

First is Carey and Stacey. My other family. The family that I spent numerous nights and holidays at their houses. Were I could just show up whenever I wanted, and was always welcomed. I don't think I could have gotten through high school, and Caitlyn's death without them. I don't think they know how much they mean to me. (a lot. FYI)

Kalene. Ohhhhh Kalene. :) My crazy, funny, amazing bff. You are the one I call sobbing all the time, and you never get mad. You are the one person who I can (and have) told everything to, and you never judge me. When I think about Washington I automatically think of you. I have no idea how we became friends. I did not even like you and all your hats when I first met you! We have so many inside jokes that sometimes I will see something that reminds me of you and just laugh. I can be 100% me with you, and I love that. I can be silly, or serious, or bitchy, and you love me no matter what. And I love you too.

Anna. My totally random friend. We met once and poured our hearts out. We are so similar, and you understand. I don't think you know how much your friendship means to me. I love our heart-to-hearts. And our silly drives. And Stella loves Olli :)

Brandy. You taught me sooo much. Some good, and some bad lol. You let me stay in your house whenever I needed...which was a lot. I think I could live with you forever and never get sick of you.

TT. My first NJ friend. You say whatever comes to your mind, and i have to remind you to behave when meeting new people. But I actually admire that about you. Not the way it scares people off, but that you don't care what people think. I wish i could be more like you. You are the one person who understands my longing for Washington, and the Northwest. And you like to Jersey Bash with me. You give me nanny advice, and since you went to nanny school it is usually really good!

Lacri. You make me behave. :) You live your life for the Lord...and I really admire that. You are really funny, and a bad backer-upper. You are my source for all information pertaining to lqd, and always know the gossip! My life would be soooo boring without you in it. You are so good at taking my jumbled mixed up feelings and questions about God and make me understand them...and are always patient. Thank you!

Kerry. I don't even know where to start. You have become my "Jersey Mom", and I don't think I could live without you. You have been so incredibly generous with me, and I could never thank you enough for all that you have given me. I love working with you on Sundays...well mostly. We all have our bad days:)...I admire your drive. You are always up for anything...and it is usually crazy, and usually your idea :). I secretly love it when people mistake me for your daughter. I hope I can grow up and be half as amazing as you are.