Thursday Favorite Things: Do you have a best friend?

Today is Best Friends Day. I have some very dear friends.  But I have to say that my best friends are my sisters, Beverly and Lisa. 

This is one of my favorite pictures of my sisters and me, taken at my niece's wedding.  Beverly is on the left and Lisa is on the right.

I wrote this before about my sisters:

"My sisters and I share so much that I have a hard time even expressing it. We encourage each other, support each other, pray for each other.

They both live far away from me, so we cherish any time that we can physically be together. We laugh like crazy, sometimes cry a little, but always have an amazing time. They are two of the funniest women I know!

We can completely be ourselves around each other, and tell each other pretty much everything. We are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders.

We talk to each other on the phone regularly...and have even gotten into texting each other quite a bit.

I also adore my younger brother, and he holds a unique place in my heart that no one else could fill...but he's most definitely not a woman. My sisters can empathize and understand me as women.

My husband, who I love with all my heart, is also a wonderful friend; but again, there's just something about a sister that's different from any other friendship.

I'm thankful for my sisters...my best friends."

My younger sister Lisa and me.  Lisa is a pastor's wife and works full-time as an administrative assistant at a Fortune 500 company.  Her indefagitable spirit and organizational and leadership skills amaze me.  She's also one of the most loving and generous women I know!  

My older sister Beverly is vibrant, sparkling and beautiful! She has always been one of my biggest inspirations to be the best woman-of-a-certain-age that I can be.  She lights up a room when she enters it.  She is loving, nurturing, and so much fun to be around!

This is me with my siblings and my mom last Christmas. My dear dad passed away in 2004.   
I'm participating today in Thursday Favorite Things, hosted by Katherine's Corner! Join the fun! 

A Mother-Daughter Trip to Chicago

My family lives in Texas and Wyoming, so when anyone comes to Illinois to see me, it's an event.  This past Thursday, my sister Lisa and her daughter Katie arrived from Texas for a visit.  The main object: a mother-daughter trip to Chicago, including my daughter Elizabeth.  

Chicago is one of my very favorite cities. It has its very own flavor and personality, and just being there is fun!

Hope you enjoy some pictures of our Chicago visit!

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Katie and Elizabeth at Rosebud, a wonderful Italian restaurant where we had (among other things) the best chocolate cake any of us had ever eaten!

We loved how our hotel room overlooked the Chicago Theater 

We had such a wonderful time, making memories that we'll cherish for years to come!

From the Archives: My Best Friends

Beverly, me and Lisa

(Originally posted January 2, 2011)

The other day, I took a quiz that asked me who my closest friend(s) were. I didn't have to think twice to come up with the answer: my sisters, Beverly and Lisa.

My sisters and I share so much that I have a hard time even expressing it. We encourage each other, support each other, pray for each other.

They both live far away from me, so we cherish any time that we can physically be together. We laugh like crazy, sometimes cry a little, but always have an amazing time. They are two of the funniest women I know!

Beverly and me

We talk to each other on the phone regularly...and have even gotten into texting each other a bit.

We can completely be ourselves around each other, and tell each other pretty much everything. We are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders.

Me and Lisa

I also adore my younger brother, and he holds a unique place in my heart that no one else could fill...but he's most definitely not a woman. My sisters can empathize and understande me as women.

My husband, who I love with all my heart, is also a wonderful friend; but again, there's just something about a sister that's different from any other friendship.

I'm thankful for my sisters...my best friends.

Source: bing.com via Cindy on Pinterest

My Best Friends

Beverly, me and Lisa

The other day, I took a quiz that asked me who my closest friend(s) were. I didn't have to think twice to come up with the answer: my sisters, Beverly and Lisa.

My sisters and I share so much that I have a hard time even expressing it. We encourage each other, support each other, pray for each other.

They both live far away from me, so we cherish any time that we can physically be together. We laugh like crazy, sometimes cry a little, but always have an amazing time. They are two of the funniest women I know!

Beverly and me

We talk to each other on the phone regularly...and have even gotten into texting each other a bit.

We can completely be ourselves around each other, and tell each other pretty much everything. We are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders.

Me and Lisa

I also adore my younger brother, and he holds a unique place in my heart that no one else could fill...but he's most definitely not a woman. My sisters can empathize and understande me as women.

My husband, who I love with all my heart, is also a wonderful friend; but again, there's just something about a sister that's different from any other friendship.

I'm thankful for my sisters...my best friends.

I have sooo been enjoying...

...spending time with my mom and sisters.

Back row, L to R: my sister Lisa and me
Front row, L to R: my sister Beverly, my daughter Elizabeth and my mom

Since my mom and sister Lisa live in Texas, and my sister Beverly lives in Wyoming, it's rare that we're all together in one place. My mom and sisters arrived this past Saturday evening, and I've been treasuring every single moment we've had together.

On Sunday, we attended church and had an incredibly tasty lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Egg Harbor, where I introduced to my favorite sandwich in the world, the amazing Door County Melt. They all loved it!

On Monday, we went to visit my daughter Elizabeth in Normal, Illinois, where she's attending Illinois State University. They bought Elizabeth several things to spruce up her rather plain bathroom...it's now looking lovely with a new shower curtain, bath rug, and wall decorations.

My sister Bev, me and my daughter Elizabeth

Today, we went to Edwards Apple Orchard, a wonderful place with maybe the best apple cider donuts in the world! Tomorrow we're shopping and just enjoying our last day together.

We've laughed, reminisced, and laughed some more. It has been a wonderful time of making memories.

My mom and my sister Beverly

One of the wall decorations for Elizabeth's bathroom. She shares my passion for French stuff!

So, I didn't make it to The Random Dozen this week, but Lord willing and if the creek don't rise, I'll be back next week!