Count it All Joy: Happy birthday, Jordie!

So in honor of my sister Jordan’s birthday on Thursday, April 18^th I wanted to write a blog about her! And she gently nudged me to do one since I’ve done one for other people… ha kidding!

Where do I begin? I remember when she came home from the hospital in 1991. I was 7 years old and I was so excited to have a baby sister! It had just been me and Jesse for 7 years (he is 4 years older than me) and I was probably tired of being beat up all the time and playing cars in the dirt. I loved helping my parents with her and remember changing her diapers and treating her like a baby doll. We shared a room for several years and I really don’t remember that being a problem although I can’t imagine sharing a room with an infant now! We had bunk beds when she was old enough for a big bed and I remember how she would always try to jump off the top bunk and my Dad would be doing his trademark “uh uh uhhh!” Which basically means no… She was the cutest toddler ever and had hair that stuck straight up that we called “helicopter hair”. For some reason she always said “I hate watermelon” in the cutest voice and was always teased by our Pepa for saying that. She started wearing glasses when she was really young and that was her trademark.

Jordan and I and our cousin Abbey were always together. We had a club house out in the woods that we drew “I love Hanson” all over in and other cheesy teeny bopper things. We jumped on the trampoline for hours and made up dance routines to show our parents. For the most part, we always got along well, except for when Abbey and I would gang up on her and throw her around by her hair.. we would say “Jordan, run to the creek and we’ll time you! And we would lock her out… I look back now and think that was so mean! We had lemonade stands and played school, grocery store, etc. She was always tagging along and I wish she had been a few more years closer so I would have gotten to spend more time with her. When I left for college she was only 11.

We are lucky that my Mom always had a video camera filming us.. we have everything on tape from being in the bathtub singing to doing our redneck fun that would involve twirling Jordan around by her shirt. Oh, and my Dad pulling us around in moving boxes that were attached to a rope. There were always good times around our household and a lot of great Christmas memories too.

One time she and I were driving one of our 4 wheelers and for some reason we flipped it over backwards on a hill and landed on CACTUS! Jordan was hurt worse than I was and for the longest time we called her “cactus butt.” She never got the good driving gene that Jesse and I had, and wrecked the 4 wheeler one time so bad that it knocked the garage door leading into the house off its hinges and ran around the corner crying. I guess she didn’t know how to stop! Another thing that is funny now is that one day while in Family Video I somehow knocked her tooth out! She was saying something and in mid-sentence I turned around and elbowed her in the mouth, knocking her tooth out!

Although she was kind of clumsy and not so athletic (haha!), Jordan was always the smartest out of all of us.. Everyone in our family is smart, but Jordan has a different level of genius than we all do. When she was 13 and I was 20 we spent several days doing IQ tests (yes for fun) and she was already smarter than me at 13! She knew math by that point that I had never learned in 4 years of high school. She doesn’t really have to try to be smart either, which must be nice! She loves to read and I get random texts about how her and my Mom are going to the latest “book sale” and she can’t wait to go. haha

Besides being smart, she is totally hilarious! We can get together after not seeing each other for several weeks and just laugh about things that happened 10+ years ago. She is the person in the world who understands my humor the most and thinks everything is funny just like I do. We have been known to have some giggle fests at family get togethers and Granny Jo always says “oh no, here comes the giggling.”

She is also very creative, organized and can fix or build pretty much anything that comes out of a box with an instruction manual. I would rather do anything than sit and read directions but she loves to do things like that and it’s amazing. At Christmas time, she is the designated builder for all of my kids’ toys and helps me organize the games once we can finally get everyone in our family to stop talking and laughing.

We have a lot of common including our love for Keith Urban and Gavin Degraw, most of our music tastes, how we both like to correct other peoples’ spelling and grammar, and how we love to shop at Goodwill. I don’t think any other people get as much joy out of shopping at Goodwill as we do! We love to dig through the t shirts and find some bargains..usually if it’s more than $1.00, we won’t buy it. She is about to graduate college in a few weeks, and can pretty much go anywhere and do anything in the world she wants.. I am so proud of her and so glad to have such a nice person for a sister! I’ve never had to worry that she was out doing stupid things or acting ridiculous like most teenagers and young adults do. If you know Jordan, then you have probably never once questioned her morals or her character. We are lucky to know her! Happy birthday Jordie aka Squirrel!

“Jenna, it’s blue week!” Are you knitting? Make me a necklace! “did they bring carrots to church?” Was that a Duggar?”

And here are some thoughts from your friends and family!

Mom- Jordan is : Unique, quirky, brilliant, beautiful, reliable, and caring. She was born when Jesse was 10 and Jenna was just turning 7, so she was pretty special to all of us, and still is! She has always made us proud, even in all of her dorkiness, and especially as she graduates from OSU. We are so excited to see what's just around the bend for her. "Do not fear; only believe." Mark 5:36

Jesse- can't believe you are 22. When I was 22, you were in the 4th grade! you have grown up to be such a smart and fun person. Can't wait to see where this next year takes you...don't be afraid to search and struggle, that means you are living life! (Just don't join a rock band), you'll really be poor.. Graduating college can feel like the end of a big era of your life, but its really just the very beginning! I look forward to actually seeing you more if/when you move to Music City! Happy birthday!!

Jessica-"Jordie, Welcome to the park!! Happy birthday!!! Its so hard to believe you're 22 AND graduating! We should not be this old. I hope you have a great birthday! I am so proud of you and I know you've got great things ahead of you! Please know I'm always here for you no matter what!! Love you so much! P.s.Have you heard about Betty? They're just standing around butts! What was her name? Elizabeth Arden? A muuurrddeeer (I still miss trivia time) Umm.. silverware? Spike don't play with girls."

Brentney- Happy Birthday Jordy! Good luck in your new journey to Nashville! Love you!

Megan- You have been and still will be one of my best friends! Time capsules will never get old and I’m sorry my dad woke you up whenever he made me go feed my sheep! LOL Happy birthday and remember"Bren” loves you too!

LeeAnn- Jordan was always smart and quiet. I remember mema always trying to get her to spend the night but she liked being home. She was in a weird place age wise. Lots younger than the older 4 grandkids but lots older than the younger 3. So it was like being an only child in a way. She is a lot of fun at Christmas. She loves being around her family!

Connie- First word that comes to mind with Jordan is SMART! She and I share the same taste in little things like flavored chapsticks, baskets, purses, etc. also I have many shoes throughout the years that Jordan outgrew and gave to me Jordan was 9 or 10 when Eric was born. I remember her helping babysit "play" with him every Wednesday at Mema"s house! He loved Jordie. She was one of his first words! Happy Birthday Jordie! Love, Connie

Cheryl- Jordan was such a sweet baby and fun addition to our family. She topped the "cousin pyramid" like a cherry on top:) All the cousins enjoyed playing with her when she was little because they were older and she was so cute. She has grown to be such a wonderful, beautiful person. I'm so proud to be her aunt! She has always worked hard to better herself through education. I admire her academic work ethic...she's made every honor roll through the years. I want her to be proud of her accomplishments. She also knows how to get the most for her money--another quality many young people don't even try to do. I, we all love her very much! Happy Birthday Jordan!!!

Abbey- Some of my best memories from my childhood are with Jordan ( and Jenna)! I always looked forward to coming to the LaFave's house so I could play with my little cousin(even though I mainly bossed her around). I couldn't even begin to list all of the great memories I have with her. She is such a smart, funny, beautiful girl! Happy Birthday Jord! P.s. Hi I'm Isaac, I'm Taylor and I'm Zac and we're Hanson!!

Juliet- Jordan, because of you I got to have Shelby for a while! I remember when i first moved here we were both brushing Shelby's hair together outside your mom's house. Happy birthday.

Chris- My main memory is hanging out with her at Mema's when we were younger. I vaguely remember also being with my mom when she visited your mom in the hospital when she was pregnant still with Jordan. She used to hate when I called her "Jodie Podie" not sure where I got that name lol. I'm happy to see she's grown up well and been successful so far.

Sarah- Jordan and I first met in First Grade at Cashion Elementary and we’ve been best friends ever since. We have made many memories over the years including, summers at Falls Creek, camping in the yellow tent in the backyard, several Christmas plays, and, most recently, Bachelor Mondays. Jordan is one of the best storytellers I know and the stories are usually filled with laughter because of the obscure things that seems to follow her. I mean, how many people have mopped the OSU Student Union in a beret, been hit (or maybe “tapped” is a better word) by a car, and have a strong bunny obsession?

Oftentimes, friends grow apart over time as their lives become busy and hectic but I know that will never be the case with Jordan and I. As we walk across the stage at our college graduation in the next few weeks and move to different regions of the country to pursue “big kid” jobs, Jordan will still remain as one of my closest friends. I hope you have a wonderful 22nd birthday! “Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22” –Taylor Swift

Michelle- Jordan, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I don’t know about you but I’m feeling 22! Hope you are too!! I can’t believe we are seniors and graduate in two weeks. It seems like just yesterday we were freshman moving into the dorms for the first time having sleepovers in your room when I would bring my mattes over, crashing other people’s dates so we could go to Orange Leaf too, and most of all the late night chats in Nick’s room when the whole gang was together. Let’s face it we have been through it all from the Kansas City …. “O Hey There Commerce Bank” to the Tulsa trip when I couldn’t meet Ryan and to the Ft. Worth trip…. “Get a car people.” I have shared so many great memories with you and I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures in Nashville because I know you are going to love it there. Jordan you are one of my best friends and someone I have told everything too. You always help me over analyze everything lol. But most of all I am just glad you have always been there for me. Whenever I need someone to talk to I know I can always go to you and you will help me through anything I need. You are truly an amazing person whom I value so much as a roommate and best friend. Keep your head up because I know that there are only good days ahead for you. You are such a nice, caring, and extremely funny person and don’t let anyone tell you differently. Follow your dreams because I know once you put your mind to it you can do anything. Love you lots and Happy Birthday!!!

How adorable is she?