Happy Birthday, Jody!!!!

This is my big sister, Jody. She will hate that I put this picture on here, but it was the only one I had.

Jody is an awesome sister. Since she was 11 when I was born, she had the privilege (or curse, depending on your point of view) of caring for me and is a big reason I am who I am. There is a story she tells of when I was about 9 months old: she and her friend, Deidra, were working to teach me to walk. They found that if they let me hold some shoes in my hands, I would hold my hands above my head and feel secure enough to walk on my own. When they took the shoes out of my hands, I couldn't walk. So, Jody taught me how to walk and stand on my own two feet. She was also the first one to really explain about the birds and the bees. I can still remember the feelings of unbelief and ewww that accompanied that discussion. She was always interested in the experiences I was having through my dating years and I could always count on her for a listening ear and some great advice about dealing with matters of the heart.

I have learned a lot from Jody over the years, both from the successes and trials she has had in her life. She is a great mom and I hope I can do as good of a job raising my kids as she has done with hers. I am a better person because I have her as a sister. I love you, Jody!