Thanks Jake

Oh Jake, my one and only big brother. I know, for a fact, without any doubt at all, that I have not thanked you enough for the things you have done for me and the way you have influenced my life. Because most of the time, I have focused on your flaws instead of the things that make you great. So first, I'm sorry that I do that. It's not fair to you, and it's not right of me. Thank you for loving me despite my failings.

  Thank you for watching out for me all the time. I remember once in Marion when you and I went for a bike ride and we got caught in a bad storm. I was scared out of my mind, but I knew, 100 percent, that if I kept my eyes on you and followed you, that you would get me home safe and sound. And you did! Thank you for that. I also remember a time when I was mowing the lawn and some sort of buzzing bug flew in my ear and I was FREAKING out. You were inside and you came RUNNING out the back and down the deck 3 steps at a time. You were so worried about me and so ready to help. Thank you. I remember in Middle School that a boy who sat by me in math class and was my friend came in one day and wouldn't look at me or talk to me. I finally got him to tell me that my big brother had heard that this boy liked me and so that big brother had made it clear to this boy that he was not to go near me. Ever. Hahaha. And I had a few similar experiences when I got to high school. Thank you for caring enough about me to beat those boys away from me. Thank you for letting me play with you and your friends. Thank you for playing soccer with me. Thank you for playing a roll in my tomboyness.
   Thank you for all the emails you wrote me when you were on your mission. Chunk and Chubs are the coolest people around. Thank you for that one time when you had one of the ward members call me and I got to talk to you for a bit. On speaker of course. Thank you for being excited to go to BYU with me. Thank you for letting me come hang out with you at your apartment. Thank you for inviting me to come do stuff with you and your friends. Thank you for taking care of me when I got really sick for a couple of days. Thank you for being friends with Brittany Crumback so that I could become friends with her. Thank you for caring about my opinion. Thank you for wanting people to know that I was your sister. Thank you for giving me rides after you got your car.  Thank you for being my best friend that year.
   Thank you for wanting to serve in the military. For as long as I can remember, that's what you've wanted. I think it's an incredible thing and something to be applauded and praised. I'm grateful that you are willing to go and fight for our country. I"m also glad you haven't had to, though.
   Thank you for loving my kids. Thank you for giving them gifts, whether it be in person or by mail. Thank you for being sad that we couldn't come to Iowa for Christmas last year. Thank you for being the best Euchre partner. Thank you for loving to play games. Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for helping to take care of me when we were in Denver for Kyle's wedding. Thank you for telling me we weren't in a Tornado Watch even though we were. Thank you for finding places for me and my big belly to sit. Thank you for buying us Buffalo Wild Wings that night and delivering it to our door. Thank you for always remember to call me on my birthday. Thank you for coming to my wedding.

I love you lots, Jake, and I think I would be a much different person without you. Also, it's been WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY too long since we saw you so tell Caree to quit her job so you can come for Christmas. Easy-peasy.