I've got this sister...

...who's pretty great. She could be my twin, my carbon copy, my stunt double...if only we were born 10 years closer. Hmm. Interesting thought. Instead, she was born a little less than 10 years AFTER me. And her birthday was yesterday. How old you ask? Well, if I tell you you will officially know how old I will be in a week. So take a guess.

Madi and Sawyer when he was just a puppy!

Anyway--quite frankly, she rocks. A high school junior she is much more a women than I was at that age. Beautiful from the inside out this chick has it all. She impresses me daily and embodies the true morals and values any 17 (oops--figure it out?) year old high schooler should strive for. Her strong relationship with Him sets an incredible foundation for the woman she has become. If only I was where she was ten years ago.

A few years ago at camp.

As we have grown older, our relationship has changed. She is no longer "little" Madi that I was forced into babysitting (FOR FREE) or "little" Madi who was trying to listen to my phone conversations outside my door. She is no longer my baby sister who I could trick to do my chores or bribe into being on my side of an argument. Instead, our relationship has grown into that of great friends. Now I call her to borrow her jeans and raid her closet on my trips home. We have sleepovers where we overindulge in ice cream and I even call her to puppy sit for Sawyer. I vent about things going on in my life (via text message, hello 21st century) and turn to her for advice when I need it. I often forget the ten years that stand between us as they have dissolved over time. 

Matt and Madi out on the lake. 

Hanging out at camp.

Gingerbread houses with Bax!

There's not many words that can explain the blessing of a sister like Madi, let alone the even more incredible blessing I recieved of two sisters. Although years ago we may have have wanted to kill each other, today there are no two women that I look up to more than my two sisters (well, besides my mom...sorry gals). I thank Him for them everyday. Two best friends that can NEVER get rid of me. What more could you want? Happy Birthday Madi! Can't wait to see the great things that He has in store for you. I love you!