Happy 25th Birthday Kelly!!!

I know I am posting out of control this month and the streak continues because I have to honor my sister, Kelly.

Kelly is kind of a big deal. Just ask her, she'll tell you. Kelly is a strong confident woman. I have always loved that about her. She is not trying to be anyone but Kelly, in her truck driver sweats and burgundy t-shirt.

You see, Kelly is my partner in crime. Valerie and Kristen are our girlie girls. We call them "the skirts" because they will wear mini skirts to grocery shop. So, because they didn't want us to be without an equally loving nickname they dubbed us "the jock straps". Ha,Ha! We are not manly but a pair of sweats is perfectly appropriate for going to Target.

Anyhow, I have a special and unique bond with each of my sisters and Kelly is no exception.

When Kelly was about 8, I would come home from school everyday and we would pretend that we were on a competitive roller skating team. We would skate for hours. Mind you, I was 15-16 years old. Kelly once told me that that makes me simultaneously both the coolest and dorkiest big sister ever. I never outgrew my siblings, never will. I am so glad that I played with "the little kids" everyday. They were my buddies!

Then when I was 22 I went on my mission. When I came home I had the opportunity to stay with my family for 2 months. I hadn't lived with them for 7 years. I was struggling with the idea of not being a missionary and I felt like I had been thrown into an undiscovered universe. Kelly listened. I talked to her all day every day and she listened. I told her mission stories and we read scriptures and talked about the gospel. Kelly understood things I didn't have a clue about at 15. When I left to move back to Utah I had a really hard time saying goodbye to Kelly. I knew that she had been an answer to my prayers. My adjustment from mission life, to crazy Richart home life would have been virtually impossible without her. I have never forgotten that or ceased to be deeply grateful.

Kelly started preparing for her own mission before she even hit dating age. She always knew she wanted to go. She dated (because she was HOT) but never kept boyfriends long. She was super popular but stayed home and away from parties. I admire her strength and dedication to what she believed. In her own words, she had "made a decision". Oh I hope my kids make a decision and hold fast to it.

While Kelly was on her mission we had the chance to grow closer, yet again. She served in Salt Lake City, Utah. While she was gone we would send tapes back and forth. I had so much fun hearing her mission stories and relating and reliving my own mission. I had so much fun just discussing the gospel with her. I think Kelly probably knows more of my personal spiritual experiences than anyone on earth. I am so blessed to have that spiritual connection with her.

Kelly is an amazing aunt. She comes to visit LOTS. She was here all the time before her mission soaking up every single minute with my kids. She has been there for the birth of each one of my kids. She flew in to stay with Alex and Alyssa (just in the nick of time) while I had Chloe. Then she would come sit at the hospital with me all day. She never complained or acted bored. She just jumped in and offered her service.

Kelly not only loves my kids but she is also Super Nanny. My kids mind for Kelly far better than they do for me. She is loving, but stern and I am certain she will be a far better mother than I am. When Kelly is here I just sit back and relax. Bath time, bed time, breakfast...all Kelly. Come to think of it, I could use a little break...come see me Kelly!

There are so many things I love about my Kelly. She is so much fun! When she lived in LA she was the only one who could ever take the whole time off work while I was there. We would just hang out all day. Hit up El Taco, definitely make a 7-11 run for a Clearly Canadian and a cookie pie. Just hit all the usual Downey haunts and soak up the time together.

Thanks for being my buddy. Let's go skating at get a cookie pie SOON!

I love you. Happy Birthday!!!!

Here are your virtual birthday presents.... and make Jeff and Steven take you on a 7-11 run because you are the expert!