"we may not have it all together, but together we have it all"

  I will be the first to admit that my family is not perfect. But for each other we are perfect. Our challenges bring us closer, our happiness is shared and the love it mutual (most of the time). We all genuinely care about each others, lives and situations. Deep down we all have each others best interests in mind. And on top of all of those great things, we get to be best friends.

 I don't have a ton of memories of growing up with all of my siblings living at home. I remember a few things, but it was such a small portion of my life that all of us lived together. But I cannot tell you how many pictures there are of big brother Trent holding me & loving me, or my big sister Heidi being my second Mom. Those are just small examples of the bonds that we have. Now eighteen years later those bonds are different, oh so very different. I don't know some of my siblings on that super personal level. But despite all of our differences, our ages, situations and interests in life, I still love my big brothers and sisters so much.

 There are so many moments in life when WE get to be there for EACH OTHER. Like Trent being there for Brooke when she was giving up & going through something hard. Or the time Jacob sent me flowers on Valentines just because he thought I would like a gift. Or when one of my sisters and a serious boyfriend broke-up so all the sisters took her out to dinner. Or even when Elder Manning left on his mission and I got a phone call from Brooke the next day, just to make sure I was doing okay.

 Last Sunday The Jensen Hoard spoke in church (ALL seven of them, so cute!)  But in Miss. Paige's talk she said "my best friends never have to go home". Even though we don't all live together, we get to be friends forever. We never have to permanently say goodbye.

 We may have or ups and downs, our fair share of fights, disagreements and tears. But we also have our fair share of laughs, rallying around each other, happiness, and lots of good times. I am so lucky to have the family I have. I love all of them. Trent, Heidi, Jamie, Jacob, Jill, & Brooke.

 Cheers to eternity!