Boo.

Beth is my friend.
She's also my partner in crime, kindred spirit, and my sister.

Everyone call Beth, Lizzy.

But she has always loved the name "Beth."
So, being the wonderful sister I am.... and knowing how awful it is not to have ANY nick-names (Helen cannot be shortened. Don't try!), I started calling her Beth.
I also call her Boo....
Sometimes Pooker.
Often, Stinker.
Every now and then, Poo.
A few times, Bertha.
Mostly, Beth.

She is pretty awesome!

I've known her for.... forever!

We happen to get along pretty great. Which is a good thing since the majority of our lives were spent with the other at our side.

Beth is married.
This tragedy occurred almost two years ago.... wow, time flies.
*It wasn't really a tragedy.

Her husband is this dude.

*He's cool*

Actually.... he's pretty awesome!

He makes her smile/laugh!

They had the most incredible wedding.... ever!

Jeffrey wrote a bunch of the music.... because he just happens to be able to do that.
He sang Beth a song he wrote while she walked down the aisle.
Dad did the service.
God was totally glorified!

Jeffrey brings out the best in Beth and vice-versa.....
I didn't think Beth could get any better.... but he really does make her shine even brighter!
It gets blinding.

They (More specifically, she...) had this baby.

Isn't she cute?!?!?!?!
I think she is..... and I say that from a totally un-biased point of view.
Well... never mind.

Beth is the PERFECT little wife and mom!
She makes homemaking look like a breeze.

I don't think being married means that you have to be all serious and boring....

 If it does, Beth failed.

They have their own wittle family!!!!

I miss Beth.
I see her at least twice a week... talk to her almost every day.
But I miss her.

I wish I could say Beth and I are alike...
But it would be a lie.
Beth is perfect... at least as perfect as is allowed.

Although two years older than me and WAY taller .... I beat Beth up when we were kids!

You have to understand my side of the story.....
Imagine growing up with an angel as your sister.
It rubs your "naughtiness" in your face.
Bad excuse?
I know....
I still feel bad about my bullying!

I look like a nice kid in this picture..... it's fake.
We have a video to prove it....

BUT.... I grew up!
After I turned twelve... my vicious side toned down.
I don't pinch people anymore!
Now I just put salt in their coffee... etc.
*Just kidding!

She loved me through my "bullying."
We became buddies/friends and did some crazy stunts throughout the years.

I have a great sense of humor....
Not everybody appreciates or understands it.... but it really is great!

I have a few sides of my humor.
I have the humor that only my brothers "get."
It is usually the more gruesome side.

I have the humor that my parents understand.
It usually includes songs like "Taylor the Latte Boy."

And then I have this insane side.
This crazy, psychotic sense of humor that NO-ONE gets....
No-one but Beth!

She has that same sense of crazed humor.

I miss sharing those crazy moments

Even though she is old and married.... she still has that craziness.

A while back we took Marian to her AWANA games...

It was pretty fun.
We drove mom's car... (Goodness, drag racing is fun! *JUST KIDDING!!!!*)
Went to Chai....
I held Em....
I made Em cry...

We ate sour Skittles...

We laughed...

We talked...

It was awesome.

Last week, Jo, Beth, and I went walking downtown...
It was awesome.
We walked.
Talked.
Ate.
Drank.
Were merry.

A couple days ago.... I ordered some boots from Macys.
By the way.... I never EVER shop at Macys.
But they had this great sale.
And I got a REALLY good deal because I chatted with an associate.
I felt SO accomplished, until....The next day I looked at my bank account and saw that they had charged me TWICE for the boots....

I was scared.
I thought I got scammed.

I frantically started calling every number possible.

EVERYTHING was automated.
I was frustrated at this point.

Beth came over, heard what happened, and started helping me.
We were both frustrated.

"Macys is taking my money!!!!!!!! Ah!"

We finally decided to write them an email.....
SO we did.
At this point, we were really mad.
You can understand..... they were stealing my hard-earned money!
Being a Barista isn't as easy as it looks.
Okay, okay, maybe it is.

Our email was a joint effort....
Beth and I are nice people.
But remember.... they were stealing my money!
It wasn't mean.
It was "clear."
We tend to feed off each other..... and we wanted to make sure they took us seriously.

After a few more phone calls.... I started jabbing all the numbers that were not listed.
After a few, "This number is not available...." it rang and an actual voice picked up!
I can never be rude to an actual person.... so I calmly stated that they were trying to steal my money and I wanted it back.
The nice associate on the other side, in an even calmer voice explained that that was actually just a hold on my account.... it wasn't taking my money.
*Insert blushing, stammering, glaring at Beth.*
"OK.... Thanks!"

Oops!

Then there was yesterday.....
I was having a Monday, on a Tuesday.
I was all emotional and sang "I had a Bad Day," a few too many times.
Beth called, pointed me to Christ, talked, processed ... it's all better.

Times like those are dear to my heart.
They remind me that even though Beth is all married and stuff..... she's still my sister!
We still can have crazy times.

Sisters are a wonderful thing....
You have a bond that holds you together through all the different stages of life!
We went through the rough parts of life, as well as the highlights together.
From the terrible twos, to the dramatic teens.... she was always there for me!

Even though she has entered this totally new time in life, we still share that relationship.
A relationship that means the world to me....
Beth has made my life so much brighter.

She is everything a woman is supposed to be, loves the Lord so much, and has pointed me to Him SO many times!


I am SO very blessed to have her in my life.....

I love her!!!!!!

Our own Band.... :)

I love you, Boo!

Philippines!

About seven years ago, a thirteen year old girl went with her parents to the Philippines.

That was me!

We went for Jeff's wedding.

The memory still is at the top of my "greatest adventures!"

I loved every aspect of that trip....
The traveling.
The food.
The people who asked to take my picture... being a blonde was pretty fun!
Jeff and Red.
The beauty!
The warmth.....

I recently found my journal from that trip.

I laughed until I cried when I first read it.
I was so focused on food.... tsk tsk....

The only thing I am changing is the spelling and punctuation.... It was a atrocious!


Saturday, August 20, 2005

I am on my second flight to the Philippines. The first flight was a very small plane. 
We waited six hours in the Seattle airport. It was very relaxing and we ate a fantastic lunch at the Bagel Factory (Turkey and cheese on crescent.) and I had the yummiest frappuccino ever (caramel frappuccino - blended.)

Right now I am in the air flying in a big (HUGE) airplane, flying through a cloud, watching the sun set. When we reach the airport the Uslaners will be waiting for us. Then at 1:30am we will be flying away on a 22 hour flight.

I just spilled my juice on my white pants!

Sunday, August 22, 2005

We had a delightful flight last night. As soon as we sat down in the plane, I fell asleep (it was 1:30am). 
I slept right through dinner which I would not have been able to eat it anyways (The Uslaners took us to Subway and boy was that steak sandwich with cheese and all the toppings, plus a small root beer, good!). 


Anyways, I slept until about 5 the next morning, then watched movies while working latch hook rug.

Oh my goodness, the Singapore airlines are simply divine. Our stewardess is simply GORGEOUS (I got a picture of her!!!!!)!

When we first got started on our flight, our stewardess served us HOT (I mean HOT!!!) wash clothes to wash our face with (Boy, does it feel good!).

This morning when I first woke up they served us an apple and a bag of Frito's.
The Frito's I put in my carry-on, but the apple was PERFECT!

They also served us:
Brunch: Dish of fruit, bun and butter, rice crispys and milk (there was a sweet old couple beside me and dad, and they gave us there's because they didn't want them.), and omelet, sausage, orange juice, and coffee ( Dad lets me have it whenever I want!).

Lunch: Teriyaki  chicken, veggie dish, bun, potatoes, and ice cream bar. -COFFEE!

I just got pen mark all over my pants (I think they are about totaled for this trip.)

We are landing in MANILA!

I was a unique child..... can you tell?

Remembering that trip brings back SO many memories of the fun we had with Jeff.

I miss him all over again. 

The wedding was on a beautiful island called, Boracay! 

It is on my bucket list to go back to that island someday...

At the wedding.....

Ahhhhh...... Such great memories!

Thinking of Jeff...

Today I went to a wedding.... it was beautiful in every way.

Like every other girl, I LOVE weddings. The romance, food, colors, romance, flowers, romance, and every other detail!

I was privileged to be able to sing at this wedding. I sang "I Will be Here." A song I learned many years ago.

I didn't realize until this evening, that it was exactly six years ago today, that I sang this same song to Jeff and Red Gieseke. That day will always be close to my heart.

Our family friend, Jeff, had asked my dad to be his best man, and me his flower girl in his upcoming wedding. He also wanted me to sing at the wedding.... Oh, and, by the way, his wedding was going to be in the Philippines! Yes, my parents and I were going to the Philippines together!

As a thirteen year old, nothing in the world could have made me happier!

I went through song after song, trying to find the perfect choice for Jeff and his bride. Finally I found "I Will Be Here." I chose the song because at the time Jeff was deployed with the military. I practiced the song time and time again throughout those months. Each time I sang it, I would sing it directly to Red and Jeff's picture.... this song was for them.

When we finally made it to the Philippines, I knew that song inside, outside, upside and downside! We had the most amazing time on that trip, It was an experience that I will never forget. I do believe that the island of Boracay is the closest that we, as humans can get to heaven. I think that when God created the earth... He created that island to give us a glimpse of what heaven will be like.

When I sang at Jeff and Red's wedding, six years ago... the last thing in the world I would have imagined would have been what happened this year.

Our dear friend, Jeff, passed away very suddenly.

After months of knowing this, writing those words brings back a wave of amazement... is it really true?

I have never felt my heart break into as many pieces as it did when I heard that sudden shocking news...

Jeff was amazing. He was the type of man who had lived through so much, you almost assumed that he would just live for ever.

Jeff was my friend, buddy, partner in crime, water target, as well as being an adult.

Jeff had spent the years following his marriage with his wonderful wife, Red, and their beautiful little girl, Maddie.

Jeff left a legacy of love and laughter. He had a way of bringing laughter and fun into whatever situation he walked into. He brought more joy to more people than one man should be allowed.

This day brings back many memories. Memories of the times he flew from California all the way to Idaho to attend my annual water gunfight/birthday party, or the time he dropped everything to help when my mom's sister died tragically. Most of all, this day reminds me of looking at Jeff next to his beautiful bride, and singing for him.

I miss, Jeff... so very much! He was one of a kind!

Although Jeff went to be with the Lord, his memories will always live on in our hearts.

To the Memories...

I wonder what type of old lady I will be someday. I can picture myself sitting with a cup of tea (Because I will always drink tea!) reminiscing the life of my youth.

I wonder what I will remember...

It may be the late night laughing episodes, water fights, or family times together. In the midst of all of my wacky memories, will always be those special times with the Lord and memories of God's guidance and unconditional love. There will be many memories packed into my old brain... many that are still yet to come.

As I look into the future ahead of me, it reminds me that I will not always be in this comfortable place that I sit in now. Only God knows where I will be in these next years of my life.

Back to my old lady thought... I do believe that there will be a few things in my life that my mind will always hold onto! A few memories that are too dear to my heart to ever be forgotten!

Life has a way of sending curves you were not expecting. In this last year, more has changed than I ever expected or dreamed.

Thankfully.... God is faithful! He has led and loved through it all! He will continue to hold me throughout the life that He has planned for me!

A few highlights from the year!

Taking FIRST in our volleyball tournament!

My best friend/sister's wedding!

.

Becoming Cinderella for a couple of months!

Emily Rose Bickish! Making me into an aunt!

Latte's! They are a huge part of my life!

Here's to the memories!