Happy Birthday Jeff!!!

My brother, Jeff has been my polar star. Even when nothing else in my life has been constant, there has been Jeff.

Jeff and I are almost exactly, but not quite 15 months apart. I was born 2 months premature. I think I was just excited to meet my brother.

Jeff and I stuck together like magnets as children. We were both so shy and if I hadn't had Jeff to talk to I would have been a very lonely child.

When our parents divorced, Jeff and I moved in with my dad and stepmom and her kids. We had to leave our baby sister behind for a few years. I was heartbroken and terrified. My step siblings, especially Jimmie and Melissa who are the same ages as me and Jeff, turned out to be huge blessings during that time. Even still, I don't think I would have made it without Jeff. A few years later we moved back to Downey with our mom, thankfully still together. They say that kids make transtions better with a bear or a blankie. Jeff has been my blankie.

In high school Jeff even got suspended for too many tardies because he would wait for me to get ready so that I wouldn't have to walk to school. How did I avoid suspension? My teacher never marked tardies. Even at the risk of getting in trouble Jeff never left me.

Jeff was on his mission during the time that I went to college in Cedar City, Utah. Two years without Jeff. I must say those were the hardest two years of my life. Did I miss Jeff? Yes. Was Cedar City awful? Yes. (sorry Brody and Helen) It could be that I had my own set of issues that contributed to my misery but that is another post entirely.

The point is, I was so happy when Jeff came home. By then I lived in Salt Lake and he was back in Provo at BYU. We took turns making the drive and saw each other 2-3 times a week, maybe more. Those were some fun years. I remember lots of yummy meals that Jeff cooked (this was back when I couldn't cook toast properly). And lots of basketball games where we cheered for anyone but the Jazz. Oh, and lots of "cookie pies", which normal people might call chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. Too long, we call them cookie pies. We determined that Nestle makes the best one but the Biggy Iggy and Big Ed's Super Saucer are pretty yummy too. I was so happy to have my friend back.

Then I went on my mission, and Jeff was even in the MTC with me. He was teaching Japanese to new missionaries and so I saw him a few times while he was working. He even sat and ate lunch with me once. Then he would go over to Seth's house and hang out with him so that Seth wouldn't go AWOL and come get me from the MTC. The MTC is a weird place and that was a hard time. Jeff brought more comfort to me and Seth than he can possibly know.

After I got married Jeff rented a room from me and Seth so we saw him every day. We all played board games and went out to eat at night, or we'd get Panda Express, Togo's or Village Baker and watch American Idol. Seth had a built in golf buddy too. Then when Alyssa came he was so close to her. She called him Dude when she was a baby and I think she loved him as much as she loved me and Seth. The hardest part of moving to Wisconsin was leaving Jeff.

I am so blessed to have a big brother.

I have learned so much from him.

When I wanted to know the truth and some people were pushing church at me and others were pulling me away from it, I talked to Jeff. He went on a mission to Japan and I trust Jeff's opinion. He told me to read the Book of Mormon and decide. He said that was all he could tell me. Believe it or not, no one else had told me that. That was the answer. That was where I found the truth.

Jeff is a spiritual person. He doesn't throw that in people's faces but I have seen his scriptures and they have been well loved. He is very accepting of other people's lifestyles and he never pushes his beliefs. He just knows what he knows and stands resolute. That, to me, is how to be a missionary. We can all preach with words but it really says something when you just are who you say you are.

Jeff is the smartest person I know. Sorry dad and Jared and anyone else who thought it was them. Play trivial pursuit with him and see if you even get a turn. He has read everything and he knows everything.

Jeff is the best uncle. He loves kids. I am so awkward with other people's kids. Jeff is such a natural. Alyssa probably doesn't remember living with him but there is a bond that still remains. Alyssa loves to see Jeff. She lights up when he is here and he plays with her all day. Jeff is going to be an incredible father.

Jeff is super funny. Sometimes a little sarcastic and cynical but usually, just funny. He has the quickest wit of anyone I know. People have told me I am funny and I am always happy to get a laugh, but Jeff makes me look mildly amusing, at best.

He tells stories so well. He was the original teller of the bagel slapper story that I tried to replicate. He just puts words together so well and makes really funny observations.

After my brother Steven's high school graduation we were all sitting around talking and my mom was being dramatic, as usual. She was talking about her baby boy Steven and how Heavenly Father sent him to her. She told us that Steven was gifted to her because she promised God that if he sent her another son she would make sure that Jeff, who was 14 when Steven was born, went on a mission. We all rolled our eyes. Our typical response.

Then Jeff pops out with, "So what would have happened to Steven if I hadn't gone a mission? Would he have just disappeared like Marty McFly?" Then he looked at Steven and said, "Dude, you owe me one."

Even my stepdad cracked up at that one. Marty McFly...who would have thought of that so quickly? Funny! Please tell me you all get that reference? I hope so.

I laugh myself up a full ab workout often with Jeff.

I am so grateful that I was sent to earth with Jeff as my almost twin. I needed him from day one and he has been there.

Happy Birthday Jeff! I love you!!!

And now for a few pictures...

My mom didn't take too many pictures but here we are as a witch and a devil.


Here we are with our little sis, Valerie at the beach house.

Jeff meeting Alex at about age 10 minutes.

Jeff and Lyssa 3 summers ago.