Baby Girl

"Princess-Pooh, third in order, but first in a three-way tie in my heart."

My father wrote these words to me in a recent e-mail conversation we were having. Being one of 2 girls ten and twenty years apart and tossed amongst thorns of 7 brothers(the last few could literally be the ones in my side), I was a "daddy's girl" from the start. I remember loving pink and football growing up. I recall one memory of coming down the stairs in our Concordia house where Luke and Isaac's friend had gathered to play some basketball and by basketball, I mean a nerf ball and a gallon ice cream bucket stapled to the rafters. As I came down to observe, I noticed they were playing shirts and skins. I naturally found it necessary that I play so I proceeded to take my shirt off so I could jump in the skins team. Dearest Luke. He ever so kindly snatched up my shirt, gave it to me and gently pushed me towards the stairs saying I couldn't play with them and to go ask Mom why. Yeah, I always wanted to be getting into mischief with my brothers.

A few memories stick out in my mind about my eldest sister. As she mentioned in her post, I was only a baby when she was married. I remember her and Joel living in a small house in Concordia before moving to Florida. Then I remember going to Florida with Mom and Seth when Nathan was born. We stayed with some of their friends that night. We camped out in their living room and had Little Caesars pizza. I don't remember who they were or what they look like, however, I do remember how cool they were. I also remember going to the Strawberry place and Luke trying to eat an entire shortcake. Ang was always an older sister who gave me nephews and nieces who were REALLY good at sports :) I remember more so playing with her kids than actually her as I grew up. Now that I am entering this whole adult gig, I am finding out that my siblings are actually people.  She is kind of awesome. She is wise and always knows what to say to bring me back down to a logical state. I can't wait for the years to come so I can get to know her more and more.

Sarah. Ha. I can't think about her without something ridiculous coming to mind. Any person reading this who has the pleasure of knowing her, knows what I mean. :) As I grew up, there were a few things about her that I remember. The biggest one being, oh I don't know, I wanted to BE her. I was the typical little girl who was starry eyed and wanted to do everything like her big sister. I remember sitting in a big chair with her crying because it had just sunk in that when she married Chad, she would be leaving and I would be all alone and unprotected. She always protected me from my mean brothers(ISAAC!!). Oh, I also remember being theeeeeee sole person at her wedding who cried. I am pretty sure I hated Chad their first year of marriage. I mean come on! The jerk stole my sister away from me! :) I remember her being in Mary Kay and going down to Texas with her twice for convention to watch whichever baby was youngest. Autumn and Cory maybe? In high school, she gave some great advice about friends and dumb drama. And by great advice naturally that means taking me to my room and playing a song called "Roses by Outkast".  Yes, ladies and gents. "I know you think your **** don't stink, but lean a little bit closer and see that roses really smell like Pooo ppoooooooo." In the past year, she has become one of my best friends and has pulled me out of my biggest rut yet. Through all that, all I have to show for it is a new nickname. Just call me Eeyore. :)