The younger four seem to have gotten it easier. I’m still the “second mother” at times, but I also got to be the “cool sister” that could take them places when they were younger. Or someone that just came to visit since I was in college for the last two. It’s amazing to watch all my siblings grow up. I can’t help but feel some pride in being related to these awesome people. I also can be a little protective of them as well. What can I say I’m the big sister!
So here are my “getting older” moments for the year, one hasn’t happened yet; but I threw it in here anyways.
First, there was my sister, Mary Kate. This is one that REALLY made me feel old- she turned 21. Mary was born when I was still in middle school. She became my own little doll. I remember getting my first camera and spending lots of my parents’ money on film and developing pictures of my little sister. After having 3 brothers in a row, she was the little princess. She still is the princess, just now the princess is legal to drink!!
December brought Bridgette- this was another that made me feel REALLY REALLY old!! She turned 16. When I was 16, she was my riding buddy. John and I started dating when she was little and we took her to the zoo once. Then there were some friends of mine, one with her own son, and again Bridgette and I were off to the zoo. The zoo was a favorite of mine and of course, Shorty liked it too. A few year later, she was the flower girl in my wedding! Years later my kids are talking about how they don’t want to ride in a car with Bridgette driving!
My little “shorty” is now taller than me and 16!
This was taken in March of 2007 during a spring break visit. They were waiting for the bus, since it wasn’t their spring break. They look SO cute don’t they!!
A few years later…
My baby brother, Ethan Monster turned 13. I guess I can’t really say “baby” anymore; feeling OLD!! Ethan was officially a teenager in February. 13!! I was at TAMU in Galveston, when I got the news that he was here. He kept surprising me this Christmas every time he would talk. His voice wasn’t the little kid voice. And now he is shaving!!! The awesome Uncle Ethan is now a teen and I’m still trying to get used to this one!
Coming this May is my littlest sister, Rachel’s birthday. I remember instead of packing up to come home after my junior year in college, I left everything and just went home. Lauren and I got all the others ready (okay basically Ethan and Bridgette, everyone else was old enough to do it themselves
) and took them up to see mom and Rachel in the hospital. When I got married she was just a toddler. She came to visit with mom when Noah was born, since she wasn’t in school yet. Now, she is going to be turning 12! I don’t want to even think about her turning 13!
Even though it is sad to think how fast time as flown by, they are all growing up to be such wonderful people. Mary is at A&M, an Aggie Icer, and wants to one day be a PR person for a non-profit. She still is the princess of the family, but is also very selfless. Bridgette is in her sophomore year of high school. She has gotten into Korean shows (thanks to Lauren) and can probably tell you more than you want to know about Korea. Right now, she wants to become a teacher in South Korea. Ethan and Rachel are still figuring things for their future, but they are too funny. Ethan is doing well in track, “runs” in the family (ha-ha) and in school. He is a good role model for my boys, who all think he hung the moon. Rachel is very witty, also runs in the family. She cracks me up with some of the things she comes up with. She is also a very good aunt, getting up in the morning with the boys when the rest of us are pretending we don’t hear them.
I love my little baby brother and sisters, no matter how big they get they will always be the babies!