It's the winter of 1994. Brian and I meet behind the closed door of our bedroom at 10pm each night. He holds a black Sharpie in one hand. I hold my bulging belly.
"Well?" he asks. "Which one tonight?"
Showing posts with label Extended Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Extended Family. Show all posts
Friday, April 26, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Oh Brother... Love Him? Or Poke His Eye Out?
Today is my brother's birthday. It's not a milestone birthday or anything, so I won't reveal his age or anything so embarrassing. (He's five years older than I am and I'm 43, so you can do the math.) -- :)
When we were little, I'm sure I was just that crying thing that kept him up at night and took attention away from Mom and Dad.
When we were young kids, our relationship was based on pestering, bugging and teasing (despite what some of these pictures show).
When we were teenagers, it got awkward and we rarely talked.
When we finally got older, it got fun.
Sure, we still goof around like only siblings can. But, he's the only person who "knew me when", knows all of the childhood stories, gets all the inside family jokes, and, despite all of that, still wants to be my friend.
I refuse to admit that I like him being my older brother. I won't say that I'm glad we're friends. I would never in a million years admit that sometimes I tell him things I never tell anyone else. I won't even mention that he brings out the best in me by making me feel like a kid again.
For now, I'll just wish him a Happy Birthday.... And tell him to watch out... or I'll poke his eye out!
When we were little, I'm sure I was just that crying thing that kept him up at night and took attention away from Mom and Dad.
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| He looks thrilled, eh? |
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| My first birthday December 1970 |
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| At Disney |
When we were teenagers, it got awkward and we rarely talked.
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| Awkward... Don't you love my knee socks? At his confirmation May 1978? |
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| Awkward family photo at my confirmation May 1983? |
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| Awkward...again... I won't even comment on my shirt... |
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| Awkward photo at Christmas.... even our cats look awkward... |
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| February 2006? |
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| December 2009 |
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| Smooches! With cooties!!! December 2009 |
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| July 2012 |
Sure, we still goof around like only siblings can. But, he's the only person who "knew me when", knows all of the childhood stories, gets all the inside family jokes, and, despite all of that, still wants to be my friend.
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| Me, Mom, Dad and Jason January 2012 |
For now, I'll just wish him a Happy Birthday.... And tell him to watch out... or I'll poke his eye out!
Love you, Jason!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Monday's Making a Difference - Aunt Tracy!
Back to Monday's Making a Difference posts! (Yes, I know it's been a while...)
Today's post is about Brian's sister, Tracy. Aunt Tracy is quite the woman. I first met her in high school when we were in driver's education class together. Twenty-something years later, she lives on the Idaho-Wyoming border, not far from Jackson Hole, WY and works for the U.S. Forestry Department fighting wild fires!
Although we don't get to see her often, when we do, it's just like good ole family times. The girls adore her. She's the only aunt they've really known.
Earlier this year, when Tracy came to visit us for Ashley's high school graduation, we noticed something a little different. She really spent time with Brielle doing whatever Brielle wanted to do, even if it was just playing on the computer.
When Tracy came this Christmas, we noticed Tracy spent a lot of time with Brielle again.
Why is this so different? It's not that Tracy ignored Brielle before -- not at all. It's just that, other than grandparents, extended relatives sometimes don't know quite how to connect with Brielle, especially those who don't see Brielle very often.
Aunt Tracy is truly loved by Brielle and it was heart warming to see them truly connect this year.
Luv ya, Aunt Tracy!
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| Yep! That's Aunt Tracy fighting wild fires! |
Although we don't get to see her often, when we do, it's just like good ole family times. The girls adore her. She's the only aunt they've really known.
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| Aunt Tracy hanging out with Brielle watching movies in her room May 2012 |
When Tracy came this Christmas, we noticed Tracy spent a lot of time with Brielle again.
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| Little Brielle with Aunt Tracy December 2001? |
Aunt Tracy is truly loved by Brielle and it was heart warming to see them truly connect this year.
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| Aunt Tracy showing Brielle neat things on her computer December 2012 |
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| Hanging out together watching movies December 2012 |
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| Aunt Tracy helping Brielle pull things out of stocking Christmas 2012 |
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| Telling Aunt Tracy good-bye December 2012 |
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| Aunt Tracy came to our church to watch Brielle be an angel in the children's Christmas program |
Luv ya, Aunt Tracy!
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