Day 6

Aunts

Only an aunt can give hugs like a mother, keep secrets like a sister and share love like a friend.

Today I would like to express gratitude for each of my Aunts-so here they are, in no particular order: 

  

Jeni: She's the perfect addition to our family. She makes my Uncle Mike even better then he was before. She is sweet, kind, loving, and a devoted Mother. She always listens, never yells, and always manages to include everyone. I'm really grateful that my Uncle made such a wise decision in marrying her. And I'm grateful that she's accepted me as her niece and loves me fiercely. I'm also grateful that she's always shared her testimony with me. That she helps strengthen mine. She is definitely 'the babe'! 

Stacie: I don't think any words that I could write would ever adequately describe my gratitude for this lady. If there was any one person that understood me better then I know myself, it is her. She has always loved me unconditionally, fiercely, and completely. She has always treated me like a niece, a daughter, a friend, a confidant, and so much more. She's been one of my biggest supporters and my biggest fan. She's got a heart of gold and I could never fully repay her for all the many ways she supported me in school (but I will attempt for the rest of my life!). She is gorgeous, she is fun, she is stubborn and a control freak like me, she's dedicated, she's faithful and loyal, she's bright, and the list just goes on and on. This is my travel buddy-'my scared out of my pants driving 100km/hour and wanting do die cause we are still lost 8 hours later', 'carry my luggage and break your finger', and 'holy crap we ate gelato 5x today' best friend. And I'm quite certain she's slightly cracked and only getting better the older she gets....

Stefanie: If there was ever a person who has set the bar for achievements-its my Aunt Stef. She was Miss Teen-Deaf Idaho, Miss Deaf Idaho, she put herself through school and even when challenges arose, she pushed and persevered. She is silly. She is sweet. She is so very talented-from crafts, to artwork, to her ability to teach. She amazes me in every aspect of her life. And I love her dearly. Her spirituality has always impressed me. She's never seen her deafness as a handicap-instead she believes that Heavenly Father made her special. And she is so very right. She is a rare gem in a world of rocks. I will always hope to emulate her love of the world and those around her. 

Shauna: aka 'the nut'. Seriously, I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my entire life. She's goofy. She misses the point 9x out of 10-but its not because she's blonde...or maybe it is. All of my Aunts are giving and loving-but Shauna does it differently. She always has-her thoughts tend to be about serving you and loving you. She gets so excited about finding the perfect gift for you-but then forgets it or can't find it for months. And when you finally get the gift, you can't help but love her a little more because you know that her whole heart went into finding something that would bring you so much joy. She is thoughtful. Loving. Drives you 'bat-crazy' when playing games. Always has to have the special fudge-cause she's 'allergic' to nuts but will share with you because you hate nuts. And she's also the one Aunt who will always embarrass you in front of boys-not cause she intends to, but because she thinks you are the greatest ever and that all boys should love you! 

Jenifer (Jeni): If there was one word I could use to describe my Aunt Jeni it would be, 'Grandma'. Because everyday, I see more and more of my Grandma June in her. She has always been stunning to me. I was so intimidated by her as a child: she was (and still is) GORGEOUS, smart, witty, talented, and a perfectionist. But then something amazing happened, I grew up and she became one of my best friends. When tragedy struck our family, I was terrified that I would lose myself because I no longer had my Grandma in my corner. How grateful I am for Jeni and her ability to pull us all together, to step into my corner and to emulate my Grandmother in so many ways. The relationship I share with Jeni is priceless-every time we get to spend time together or just talk, my life is enriched more. She's still setting the example in all she does: she is an amazing mother (AMAZING), she is an amazing person, and one of the best Aunts in the entire world. She is always rooting for me, always encouraging me, always pushing me to be the best version of myself, and I love her fiercely. And I am so very grateful that she continues to be a reminder of just how beautiful my Grandma was and how much I need to learn to emulate her myself. 

An aunt is a gift whose worth cannot be measured except by the heart

And I am so very grateful that I get to claim all these women as mine!