I'm feeling the LOVE!

What a busy week this is! I had the opportunity to help my little sis Jigz complete a few projects in order to finish off 3 values in her personal progress. Our wards Young Women in Excellence program was on Wednesday and it was her opportunity to showcase the work she did this year. I was happy that I had the chance to work with her. She's such a sweet little lady and I know that if she keeps her feet planted in the right place she'll grow and mature into a gorgeous woman both inside and out. While I'm always happy to help any one of my siblings, I was especially excited to work on these projects with Jigz. It allows time to talk about things that don't necessarily come up in conversation regularly.

For her Individual Worth project she decided she wanted to do a some family history along with an actual family tree. Being the nerd that I am, I jumped at the idea and we started to brainstorm together. I told her I would print out pictures of immediate family so that she could start her tree and then we made a trip to Michael's to get all of the supplies she needed to put it together. We finally had everything and it was time to get started but I had to make sure I pointed out one thing first. I told Jigz that I printed pictures of everyone - siblings, step siblings, her mom, her dad and my mom. I also mentioned that I printed everyone because I wasn't sure who she wanted to use but that I wouldn't take it offensively if she didn't put pictures of "step family" on her family tree because I understand that it's about your bloodline and where you come from. Before I could finish my sentence she interrupted me saying "Ahn I KNEW you were going to say that!". I was surprised at her response and she proceeded "Everyone counts because everyone plays a roll in my life, I'm putting everyone on it". With that said, I let her do her thing and watched as my sweet sister put everyone's pictures on her family tree. There is a delicate balance between trying to keep everyone close and pushing too hard. While I was scared to cross the boundary line with her, Jigz helped me realize that there was no line to begin with.

Here are a few pictures of Jigz hard at work -


As if THAT wasn't enough for one week, Jigz and I got back from the YW in Excellence program last night to a packed house (as usual). I LOVE when everyone is home and happy. I sat at the table and talked with everyone about Jigz and what a great job she did. After a little while I decided to go get things ready for bed. Just as I was leaving the living room, my "Bruh Bruh" Hati came out of his room and handed me this sweet note -
I had to scan it because I wanted to preserve it in his "little kid" handwriting forever! LOL Isn't it sweet? The instant I read it I had to walk away cause I was sure to shed a tear. I'm such a softy! I especially love the part about being glad that we're "sisters"! He's going to be mad at me for posting this if he ever finds his way here one day. ;-) THANK YOU "Bruh Bruh" and Jigz for your sweet examples of love. Somehow, two of my youngest siblings have been able to conquer that delicate balance of treating everyone like "family". Blood or not, we all play an important part in each others lives.