For My Sisters

It's not always easy being one of four girls. I feel like sometimes people view us as more of a "unit" than as four individual people, you know, "The Madison girls". I don't know that that is so much an issue now that I'm doing this whole "grown up" thing, and Jess is in college, but we are definitely very much four different people. I am very thankful for each of my sisters, we're a pretty close bunch, and I know a lot of that has to do with our lifestyle growing up. With our dad being in the Army we were always moving, and every time that we moved we only had one another. I also think that when we started homeschooling my freshman year of high school we definitely started growing closer. I remember that first year, it was crazy! I definitely do not enjoy confrontation, and for the most part when something happens to me that I don't care for I won't really say much (at least to the person doing me wrong), and I feel like I'm mostly laid back and that it takes more to make me really mad. However, say or do anything to my family and I'm instantly up and ready to fight. There are two very specific times I can think of that I got extremely upset, and actually got very verbal with someone, and both times involved things that happened to my sisters. At basketball games I take note of the girls fouling my sisters...I realize it's part of the game, but it is not ok to mess with my sisters! Anyway, Hannah is about to turn 16, Stefanie is going to be graduating high school, and Jess is headed off to Africa in the fall...and I get extremely sad thinking about it. So, I want to dedicate this blog to my sisters, and all the things I find wonderful about them!

Jessica: I have some very specific memories about the time before and right after she was born. I remember one day walking past our parents talking about if the baby would be a boy or girl, and they were saying they wanted a boy. I just said, "I want a sister," and continued on my way...lo and behold there she were. I also remember a day that everyone came to see the new baby, and no one stopped to say hi to me and I didn't understand why, but I try to not hold that against her ;). It's funny to me to think about our relationship, because for a long time I thought of her as my annoying little sister, yet she was always the one that I would come talk to when something was bothering me or I just didn't feel comfortable talking to anyone else. I remember how much we used to fight..and not just yelling at one another, but punching, biting, scratching, the works. Until that night Daddy made us fight til we were begging to quit...I guess it worked, because we never beat each other up again. We've called her Pocahontas for a very long time, and I think that's a nickname that still holds true. I remember looking out our kitchen window in NC seeing her do what I like to call your "Pocahontas walk" as she'd try to catch squirrels or whatever other critters were passing through our yard. We may have our differences from time to time, but we are always always able to talk it out. It's hard for me to think about her being half way around the world for an entire semester, and I know there are things about it that are frightening to her, but I also know that it is an awesome experience that God is allowing her, and I am so extremely excited for her. She's my Jessita sister and I love her dearly.

Stefanie: So, I remember before Stef was born I had a dream that my mom had the baby and it was a boy. I got up and looked in the crib that was already set up in our room the next morning, thinking that I really did have a little brother...turns out my mom was still pregnant, and turns out she did not have a boy. I don't remember Stefanie actually being born, which makes me sad, but I do remember getting to hold her, and that was a big deal. Stefanie has always been beautiful, with her big blue eyes, dark hair (that was curly and stinking cute when she was little...not saying it's not cute now, Stef!), and ridiculous skin that gets more tan when she just thinks about the sun. It's funny to me that I dreamed she was a boy, and she ended up being the most tomboy of us girls. I know Jess and I used to get so irritated with her because she'd just wear basketball shorts and tshirts ALL the time, and she could look cute wearing anything, which most girls can't say. I love her sense of humor, and I love how incredibly caring and thoughtful she is. She bought me a silverware set when I graduated high school, and I still have that silverware, and it is very special to me, because it is from her. I've enjoyed watching her grow up, even though I feel like with her and Hannah I missed a part of their lives because they both suddenly grew up while I was away at college... I think I've been in denial that she is growing up, and I think that is part of the reason I cried when I saw her in the first prom dress she tried on and why I still sometimes cry when I stalk all her prom pictures :). Stefanie, you are such an awesome little person (I'm glad you are still shorter than me!! lol), and I am praying that college opens you up so that more people can know how amazing you are! I'm so excited about you living closer to me!

Hannah: Oh, Hannah. The day you were born I came home from school, found out it was another girl, and went up to my room :). I'm sorry that at age 6 I wasn't more excited, if I'd known what you would be like I definitely would've been. Hannah has always been her own person. She was fixing her own food and putting herself down for naps when she was three. We'd all be downstairs, and someone would say, "Where's Hannah?" So, we'd go looking for her, and there she'd be asleep because she got tired. For some reason she got the whole concept of "if you're tired, you should sleep" that most small children never seem to grasp. Hannah also used to be the scariest of us all ;). She could hold her own in a fight with any of us, and we'd actually fight over who had to sit next to her in her carseat because if she got mad, and you were in arms length, your hair would be pulled and you'd be beat. However, she is also extremely sweet. Once we drove over a really long bridge (I think it was on the way to Niagra Falls), and I was scared because some bridges freak me out, and Hannah stuck her little hand out and held my hand the whole way. Another time, when we lived in NC I was really sick, and Hannah sat by the couch and held my hand til I fell asleep...and she was only three. She is extremely creative, and very thoughtful. She is a hard worker. I've always said that Jess and Stef are very naturally athletic whereas Hannah and I have to work at it a little more, and Hannah will definitely put in the effort. If she wants something, she does what needs to be done to get it. She doesn't care much what people think of her, and that is something I very much admire about her. I can't believe she is going to be 16 in a few weeks...what is the world coming too? Hannah, good luck next year when you are home without all of us :).

All of my sisters are growing up into these beautiful young ladies who I am extremely proud of, and I don't think I can say it enough. I could go on and on about how awesome they are, and I talk about them any chance I get, I'm all about bragging on them :). Jessi Lou, Stefanooch, and Hannah Banana I love each one of you so very very much, and I hope that is something that you never doubt or question! It freaks me out that you are all growing up, but I'm also so excited to see what God has in store for you all. Just let me know if there is anyone I need to take out for you :)