Happy Birthday ALMA!

10 things about my sister ALMA!

1. She is incredibly giving. She would give the shirt off her back if it was asked from her!

2. Alma is very creative. Throughout the years she has planned and coordinated the most creative activities for her family. She always manages to have a great time with her kids without spending money. I wish I was that creative!

3. Birthdays are VERY important to Alma. Whether it's a phone call, card, or present, you can always count on her to remember your special day! Not too many of us can say that! She makes a BIG deal out of them and makes sure her kids have a "special day" to themselves! Good job!

4. Alma is very empathetic. Her friends tend to lean on her because they know she will care for them and do her part to make their situation better in any way she can. She will laugh and cry with you through the whole experience. A TRUE FRIEND!

5. Alma has always taken interest in learning the "not so popular" instruments. She learned how to play the flute in Middle School and learned the piano early on as well. But what I remember most is her buying a harmonica and teaching herself how to play it. She thought it was the coolest thing to be able to play something so portable. "You can just whip it out of your pocket and start playing anytime you feel like it!" At one point she even entertained the idea of playing the harp. Of course that was until she found out the cost of one! lol

6. What most people don't know is that Alma is a dancer! She LOVES to dance! She started baton twirling with me (she was a senior in high school) and was quite good at it. She has always loved Country Line dancing, Tejano, Ballet Folklorico and recently has picked up salsa dancing! What can I say, she is my sister! I'm excited to go home and show her all I know.

7. Alma has a special name in our family. Anytime Mom asks for "Mijita" we know she is referring to Alma. We have always teased Mom about that one. When she is upset with me it is Blancita, but the few times she gets upset with Alma, it is still MIJITA...what's up with that? Mom tries to say it's because she is the gentle one....hmmmm.....

8. Alma is known as the "spiritual one" in our family. She has always held on to that rod of iron. I have always admired her dedication to the church. No matter how little or big her calling is, she gives 110%. No matter how sick or down she is, you can always see her walk in those chapel doors, every Sunday! She has done her best to raise her children in the church; to be strong in their beliefs and to love and live the gospel. I hope I can be that same role model to my children.

9. In the past couple of years, Alma has made a complete transformation! Her marriage did quite a number on her, and the experience is far from over. But I can honestly say that Alma is a better woman because of it all. She is stronger than ever! The girl that used to curl up all her emotions and let them eat her away is no more! She now stands on her own two feet and refuses to let anyone else take advantage of her. She demands respect and her kids finally give it to her. She knows that the Lord will only give you what you can handle and although there were times where we all thought it was just too much for her to bear, she proved us wrong. She is a fighter and because of her faith, she is able to start this new chapter in her life with no fear. I admire her for being able to make it through this. I don't think I would have been able to be as strong. It takes a special person to go through all that she has gone through.

10. I LOVE my sister. She is sooo- special and means more to me than she will ever know. I look up to her, as a wife and as a mother. She has always been there whenever I have needed her and supports me through anything. She is a HUGE supporter of Chris and his patriotic duties and that means a great deal to me to know I can always count on her to be there through all the craziness that goes with being a military wife.

Alma, I love you for so many reasons; For the spirit that you carry with you. I love you for the mother that you are to your children and for the wife you so faithfully were all those years, and most of all, for being the daughter that you are to our Heavenly Father. You are what I hope to become, one of the few, select daughters of GOD.

Happy Birthday Alma! Can't wait to see you next month! LOVE YOU!!! xoxo