sisters

I love my sisters. I love them a lot! 



Sisterhood is such a powerful thing. I don't think I live more in the present moment than I do with my sisters -- which is why it's so refreshing to be reunited with them after a long absence.

Marion C. Garretty says it best:

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

Marion couldn't be more right. Once we are together, it's like we turn into little girls again. We laugh (HARD & LOUD) at the SILLIEST things. We dance a little crazier. Sing a little louder. And we stay up late talking the night away, giving no thought for the morrow or anything else for that matter.

I know many are quick to apologize to my family (particularly my father) for not having any sons. I have always wanted a younger brother, but I would not trade my sisters for the world.

As Sara Corpening said, How do people make it through life without a sister?

I do not know. And I do not wish to ever find out.

My sisters and I are blessed to have a close bond. We rarely fight, with the exception of sharing clothes (and that one time for not sharing the leash while walking the neighbor's dog:)) when we were younger. However, for the most part, we were each other's BFs.

I can still recall one time when we were all sitting around the dinner table laughing about who knows what. My parents eventually got upset with the irreverent behavior taking place at the dinner table and made the statement, "Whoever laughs next will be sent to their room." We all looked down at our plates, staring hard at our broccoli to avoid eye contact and worse, laughing first. After what seemed like an eternity (though couldn't be longer than a few seconds), Rachel was the first to break. She was immediately sent to her room. We felt bad and eventually snuck food down to her room after dinner was through, but that memory still remains vivid in my mind because: Who gets sent to their room for laughing? 

However, the biggest of the Jackson (+Garrett) girls' downfall is indecision. Like, seriously! We are definitely building a reputation of being horribly indecisive. For example, decisions that need to be made (>>>like where to eat, what to do tonight, which movie to pick) are painstakingly difficult to make, because we can't seem to stay on topic for more than two minutes before someone takes us on a detour, then onto anther detour, to only get back to the original question an hour later. I feel bad because we definitely frustrate others at times.

However, the reason I love my sisters the most is because of their kind, nurturing, supportive nature. No one will experience a difficult time without a phone call or a "distracting outing" from these girls. I just love them.

This blog post was sparked by a rather interesting experience that happened last Saturday emphasizing this amazing support system I have. I was on a triple date with the usual crowd, Rach+Cars, Han+Chase, and Nick and I. Because (A) Adobe is a cool building and (B) Nick is quitting his consulting job at Adobe soon, we decided to do a grand tour of this magical building at the point of the mountain.

One of the beautiful, amazing rooms in the Adobe building is a gaming room equipped with only the finest of appliances. We were playing teams in Modern Warfare, where we were set to shoot the other team as much as possible in the time allotted. Some, like Chase, were very skilled in the whole virtual shooting idea. I, on the other hand, was not.

We played for about 45-60 minutes. In that time, I discovered not only how terrible I am at video games, but also how weak my stomach is regarding gaming. For some reason, both Rach and I started feeling more and more nauseous with each passing game. I think it was motion sickness from my inability to control my screen view. (Like I said, I am terrible. I averaged about 2-3 kills a game, compared to the 33 that Chase was averaging.)

By the last game, I had to hide in the corner of the abandoned city we were playing in for the last two minutes because my stomach couldn't handle the thrill. Once we called it quits, both Rach and I made a quick exit out of the game room. I was instinctually holding my nose because I knew my stomach was anything but settled, while everyone was calling me dramatic. Once I started walking around, the feeling of purging my morning omelet got stronger and stronger, until it had me running for the doors.

I thought hold on for one more second. One more second. Don't make someone clean your mess off the floor. Right when I got out of the front doors, I immediately began throwing up all the free juice we drank earlier during the tour. Rach, not more than two steps behind me (checking up on me), caught wind of my upchuck and immediately started dry heaving herself, until we were both squatted, outside of the Adobe building, throwing up. The security guard was a little nervous as to why we evacuated the building to toss our cookies -- but no time to explain.

I couldn't help but laugh as I looked over at Rach throwing up her morning breakfast. Not only are video games not for the weak of stomach, but I couldn't help but appreciate her even more. They always say when one twin feels pain, so does the other. I guess, in this situation, that rings true.
**Hannah definitely proved to be the strongest Jackson on the virtual battlefield!! We will have to do another round now that our stomachs are settled:)

Although vomiting is anything but glamorous, I am grateful for yet another experience showcasing why my sisters are the BEST.

I love my sisters. I love them a lot.

Jenny-isms

Meet Jenny. She is the happiest, cheeriest, more adorable girl you will ever have the pleasure of befriending. We became friends months ago, and it hasn't been a dull moment since. 

A little back history. Jenny is 30 years old in what appears to be an 8 year-old's body. According to her family, her diagnosis is referred to as the Jenny White syndrome (Jenny's full name), because she is the only one on the planet showing these rare developmental symptoms. Her family put her information into the system with the hope of finding another who shares her same symptoms.

Needless to say, we have become friends and see each other regularly. Aren't I lucky?
So I decided to write about our sweet friendship...which is long overdue.

JENNY-ISMS.

After every conversational pause:

"Are you going to behave yourself?...Because I'm not....I never do!"

Casual greeting:

"Hey there princess!" 
"Chetzee, you didn't call me last night." 
"I'm hosting a game night, you coming tonight?"

**Even following a session doing baptisms in the Temple, she finished, turned to me and yelled:

"High five princess!"

Her favorite jokes include:

Jenny: "Knock knock"

Me: "Who's there?"

Jenny: "Cow..."

Chelsea : "Cow who?"

Jenny: "Cow kiss a snake, ha ha."

**Every joke is accompanied by forced laughter. (My favorite part)

Jenny: "Knock knock"

Me: "Who's there?"

Jenny: "Chelsea!"

Me: "Chelsea who?"

Jenny: "Chelsea's getting married to Nick" 

**She came up with that one all by herself:)

JENNY TRADEMARKS.

She is full of song. Some of my fondest memories with Jenny are in the car, jamming out to the radio. Whether or not she knows the song -- she sings random words at the top of her lungs. Absolutely NO inhibition.

That is also how I met her, singing. She is a faithful member of the ward choir, which is where our friendship really took flight. We often are the only two sopranos in the choir, which often leads to much giggling, apologizing and pitchy notes:) She loves singing so much that she volunteered the two of us to do a duet this Easter Sunday. I quickly told her that we might drive away the Spirit...to which she just laughed and clapped her hands out of excitement.

Her biggest hobby is planning. Planning everything!! I've never met a bigger planner in my life. (And I studied PR, which is practically ALL we did in school.) She's always planning the next ride, next party, next game night, next phone call. Which means, she often communicates via texting.

Her texts to me over the last week:
6-oo jenny call
Yes jenny 6-00
Crib 7-30
Yas mll Djv. IUGV Asti ugcv khv. Adar fhkb plkhv
Tagges yes whip I east hi 7-03 call jenny 

Her text messages are always my favorite. I especially love her text messages to her sweet mother -- they have a relationship like I've never seen.

Jenny is a friend to everyone she meets. She has a way of bringing a smile to EVERYONE'S faces.

She is as trendy as trendy comes, always dressed to the nines. Her shoes, headbands, dresses and tights all coordinate every day. She takes it to another level and even has her nails painted to match the upcoming holiday. Just classy. (She also gets that from her beautiful mother.)

I moved home after college with no friends or any idea of what I was doing with my life. The day I met Jenny, my life changed and I knew we would become great friends. She has been such an inspiration and joy to be around. I love her so much. Nick loves her so much. We can hardly go on dates anymore, just the two of us, without her tagging along or mentioning how much we wish she were with us!

My friends, I can't end this blog post without telling a sweet experience I had to really articulate how special this girl is to me. We were going to the Bountiful Temple to do baptisms a few weeks ago. She had her Temple bag all ready to go with all of her "Jenny essentials" accompanied by her overwhelming enthusiasm to be visiting the Temple. As we walked in, I could see the Temple workers' faces light up. (That's what happens with her, people just light up when she walks into the room. It's as though they get a better grasp of what life is really about, love and happiness--two things Jenny radiates.) I was touched by the people who were so eager to talk with her and get to know her sweet, spunky soul.

We worked our way to the font, where she insisted I go first so I could help her shower and change afterward. So I did. As I was walking away to the dressing room, I turned around to see her getting in the font to do baptisms. I stood there, dripping, and feeling overwhelmed by a rush of light and faith. I can't really explain it. As I looked at her little face, barely above the water's edge, I felt honored. It was as though the veil opened a sliver, and I got a glimpse of what Heavenly Father sees when he looks at us, all of us. And it was absolutely beautiful.

I love her.

After every name, she would come up out of the water, gasping for breath (which made me giggle). She would then turn to me with wide eyes and a big smile for a look of validation. I couldn't help but tear up as I thought, in the lyrics of Les Miserables,

"To love another person is to see the face of God."

How true is that? Love and happiness is what it's all about. Jenny is the epitome of love and acceptance. Of kindess and optimism. And how I hope to be like her when I grow up!

After my time spent with Jenny, I must say, angels do exist on this earth.

Our usual Tuesday date night at Orange Leaf after Institute. I cannot get enough of these two! 

Tight Squeeze!!!!!

 

Talking to her BF.

Fort building

While watching Seinfeld, her favorite show!

One of my favorite Jenny quotes, "When I grow up and get married, I just want to cuddle in bed and watch Seinfeld and tell him (her husband) not to complain."

Ha you go girl.

Screen time.