Lord Help the Mister...

30 (!) years ago today, my sister was born.  I'm quite sure I didn't realize the gravity of her arrival at the time.  In my 4-year-old mind, I probably just wondered "what is this little screaming, crying thing that's disrupted my life?". 

But in the 30 years since she came into my world, she has grown into one of my best friends and I truly don't know what I'd do without her.

I am very lucky.  Though, honestly, I haven't always felt this way.  My sister and I haven't always gotten along.  When she was little and "hanging around", she drove me crazy.  I'd complain that she always had to be there, underfoot, getting into my stuff, my circle, my face.  She was always annoying me when my friends were over and I was trying to be cool.  We shared a room and she was always wearing my clothes, playing with my toys, dirtying my space.  We've gone through periods in life where I honestly just didn't GET her.  I couldn't understand where she was coming from, didn't get (or even fully support) the decisions she made.  She just made me batty.  She'd frustrate me to no end and sometimes it was just easier to brush it (her) under the rug than have to deal with the "drama" or try to make sense of it.

Then I graduated and moved out.  I'm certainly not saying that solved everything but it certainly did put things into perspective for me.  Suddenly I appreciated my sister as a person and a friend...not just a roommate and nuisance.  Absence truly did make the heart grow fonder. 

She still made some pretty questionable decisions (in my opinion) and would say some pretty bonehead things, but we could finally talk and spend time together without wanting to kill each other.  As time wore on, I found myself thinking of her first when I had news to share or gossip to spill.  When I was frustrated about something or needing support, my sister was just a phone call away.  I've really come to rely on her as my go-to person.  I know that no matter what she will not judge me.  She's always 100% honest, completely trustworthy, and I can tell her anything and know that she will love me and support me unconditionally. 

Three years ago we were lucky enough to go through (my second, her first) pregnancy together.  It was wonderful having her to share the morning sickness, the baby growing, the finding out the sex, the names, and all that fun stuff with my sister.  Having my niece born just three weeks before my son is a gift I hope they appreciate some day.  I love that they can grow up together and it allowed my sister and I a rare opportunity to bond through breast feeding struggles, 3AM feedings, spitting up, diaper blow outs, and "first" milestones.

 

As adults, we've gone on adventures (trip to Arizona, below) and have regular slumber parties and shopping excursions.  I love that I can just call her up and crash in on her at a moment's notice.  I bring the wine, she provides the lodging, and we put the kids to bed so we can play games and "duel Facebook" together.  I can't imagine going through life without her by my side.

My sister is truly a blessing in my life.  

I am proud to have her in my family and beyond lucky to call her "friend".

I love you, "lil'" sis!  

Happiness is...

sharing an old classic with a new generation!

And finding said classic at a barn sale for $1 makes me downright giddy!!!  I loved this game as a kid so when I saw this last weekend, I was thrilled to scoop it up and bring it home.  Who knew my kids would spend hours dropping the marbles in the holes, sinking them, and dumping them out again to start all over.  I got the added joy of playing some kick butt games of Stay Alive with my sister this weekend!  Who doesn't love a little flash from the past?!?!

A picture story...

My sister and I recently took the kids (my boys and my niece, Kensington) to the pumpkin patch for some traditional Fall fun and photo op.  It seemed simple enough.  Stick the kids in a pumpkin patch and take their picture.  I even had the fantastic idea of getting one of all three kids to give our parents for Christmas.  I thought it would be nice for them to have one good picture of all three of their grandkids.

Sounds simple, right?

Sure!  It was anything but simple.

Here's a photo story of how that plan went.

First, choose a place with lots of pumpkins.  This one looks good.

Then sit the children there.  Stay put, guys.

Ok, now one more.

Stay right there, Kensie.

Um, Alex...where are you going?!?

Ok.  New plan.

We'll put them in the middle of pumpkins 
so it's harder for them to get out and roam.

Yeah.  That's good.

Let's try this spot.

Everybody sit.

Good.  
Now look at me!  
Over here!

Oh, ALEX!  Where ya' going?!?

Ok.  Take three.

Yoo hoo!  

Where's Mommy?  

Look at me!

Say "Cheese!"

Nate?  You ok?  What happened?

Oh, Nate!  Get up!  

Kensie:  "I'm outta here!"

Alex:  "Yeah, me, too!"

Nate:  "See you, Mom!"

Well, that went well.

I think that worked out great, right?

Hmm.  Maybe next time.

The Unlikely Messenger

Ok, so I'm falling into a cheesy trend of scheduling out my days of the week with fun little tasks to fulfill. The problem is that I frequent so many blogs and other people have such cute ideas that I feel compelled to participate!!! So here's my latest, with my own spin.

Introducing: Flashback Fridays.

I think it would be fun to post old pictures or tell old stories as a flashback to a different time. Some have called it Way Back Whensdays but I have Wednesdays taken, so Fridays it is.

However, since this will require me to plug in and "warm up" my scanner, I will start this week with a story of days gone by.

August, 1994

It was a hot, sticky summer. Mosquitos filled the humid air, just waiting to perch and feast upon their prey. The days stretched out ahead of me, one right after another...

Ha! Just kidding. Seriously though - August of 1994 was (obviously for those of you who were there) the summer after I graduated from high school. I was about to venture out on my own for the first time. My bags were packed and I had plans to move into my first apartment just in time to settle in before the Fall semester started at GCC. It was bittersweet. An odd cross between elation at my impending freedom and sheer terror at my approaching independence.

My sister, Sarah, was 13 at the time. We had shared a room together since the day she was born so it was going to be strange for her to have her own taste of freedom, too, I'm sure. No one to yell at her for being sloppy, no toe tapping or music playing to keep her up at night, and no one hogging 3/4 of the closet.

As I was getting ready for the big move out on my own, she brought me her beloved black bear, (creatively) named Blackie, and told me she wanted me to bring him with me when I left. She was afraid I'd be lonely and thought he could keep me company. How sweet is that?!? But wait. I knew how important Blackie was to her so I refused to accept him until she insisted that she'd be ok without him and that I needed him more than she did. This "simple", unselfish, and immensely sacrificial gesture was huge to me! I mean, Blackie was Sarah's lovey, her comfort item, her best friend! He had worn spots where she loved on him for years, matted fur where she had held him tight to ease her fears and calm her nerves. How could she bear (ha!) to part with him?!? I'm sure she must have sensed my trepidation and in that moment, rather than give in to her sadness and fear about my leaving, she stood up to give me strength. And through this unlikely, stuffed, 2-foot-tall, fuzzy messenger of love and support, she showed a selflessness and maturity well beyond her thirteen years.

What Sarah probably doesn't realize is that I spent many rough nights holding Blackie tight as he eased MY fears and calmed MY nerves. I pulled him close when my tiny little apartment seemed big and scary and I missed the familiar sounds of home and my family. I sat him nearby as stress got high because assignments were due or big tests were looming. I talked to him when no one else was around to hear how my day had been. Blackie was a Godsend in those first few months and years of college. He was like a little, black, furry guardian angel sent to watch over me!

Even 15 years later, Sarah's timely gift has continued to stick with me. I think because it demonstrates a prime example of unconditional love. It shows a degree of support and care and a level of understanding that you don't find very often. My sister was willing to give up the one thing that meant the world to her to give me comfort, strength and companionship in my huge new leap into the big, scary world. She recognized that and made the ultimate sacrifice (to a 13-year-old!) to show her love and support. For that I will always be grateful. And for always I will do my best to repay the favor in your time of need. I love you, "big" lil' sis!!

Thinkbox Thursdays

My fabulous, creative, artistic, and thoughtful sister, Sarah, brought me a gift the other day. It's not my birthday, it wasn't a house warming gift and she wasn't apologizing for anything (that I know of - ha!).  It was just a sweet gesture and a fantastic idea! 

Here it is:
My sister MADE it. Isn't it cute?


You might be asking yourself, "So, what is it?"

It's a little something I've dubbed my "think box".

A clever idea, really.  Inside there are hundreds (!) of slips of paper with inspirational ideas and thought-provoking questions on them.  You reach in...pull one out...and VOILA! - a cure for writer's block.  Some of the questions are deep, others are more superficial, but all are interesting to say the least!

So I am going to start what I call Thinkbox Thursdays.  I suppose I don't need to specify a special day of the week but I am a procrastinator by nature so this will keep me on task and give me a schedule (a.k.a. deadline) to make me somewhat accountable. I like to challenge myself and these should get me thinking. So I promise to be honest and answer one question each Thursday (and no picking 20 questions until I find one I like)!  Hopefully you won't be bored senseless - who knows, you just may learn something new!  So stay tuned - Thursday is just around the corner!!