Category Archives: Family

It seems only fair that since it is my sister-in-law Lynn’s birthday, I wish her a bloggy happy birthday as well. I really have lucked out in who my brothers ended up marrying, especially helpful since it seems like they were always in our family – this happens when your brothers are significantly older than you. Lynn and Marty got married when I was in middle school and I got to be in the wedding – my first of many turns as a bridesmaid (also the most wonky I have ever looked as a bridesmaid as I got the worst sunburn of my life the day before the wedding so I was sporting lobster-red skin with fever blisters on my lips – my hotness was unparalleled) but prior to the wedding, Lynn had been in our lives a whole lot longer. In fact, I only recall one other girlfriend that Marty had and the only things I remember about her was that her name was Robina (still the only person I’ve ever met with this name), she had a ginormous Great Dane and she gave me a 6-foot snake stuffed animal that smelled interesting so I’m glad Lynn came along to set Marty straight because Robina wasn’t my favorite.

Lynn has told the story of when she met Marty and how he had a picture of me in his wallet and it took quite a bit of convincing on his part to get her to believe that I wasn’t actually his child. Because what 22-year-old has a 4-year-old sister?

There we all are, so much younger… I think I can confidently say we’ve improved with age. While searching for pictures of the two of us, I happened upon a series of photos from a trip we took to Colorado when I was in high school. I love that in both photos I’m completely smitten with my nephew, Mitch, and Lynn’s hair is crazily blowing about. [Note: Lynn, we need to have some photos taken together the next time we see each other. Second note: You, too, Joan, I have none of the three of us together and very few with you and I… apparently we are always taking pictures of others.]

The first time I met Lynn we played Monopoly, which was a long-standing tradition for our vacations with Marty. We played Monopoly, we listened to music, we ate out at fun restaurants and we toured around Houston and Galveston – Lynn was the perfect addition to those plans. We have created our own tradition of staying up late and gabbing away about everything in life – no matter how much we have already said and how much time passes between when we do see each other, we never run out of things to say or have an awkward moment where we don’t know what to say.

(And look how cute and wee she is… I’m pretty sure I was also bending me knees in that photo.) She was the first person I told that I loved Simon and that he might be the one (which he totally was). We share a love of gift-giving, always finding it easy to find things for each other because we share the same taste – a love of good food and cooking, coffee and smoothies – a dream of owning a coffee shop – a love of reading (she fed my Stephen King obsession for quite a long time) – an extreme interest in shopping for jewelry, home accessories and snack food. All the good things. I would argue, some of the best things. Just like Lynn… the true definition of good people and the best things in life.

Happy birthday Lynn… don’t worry, I won’t call you by your given name ;)… I hope you have a marvelous day and get up here soon to celebrate!

Six years ago I became a mom because of one fabulous little boy named Liam. And while it was most definitely love at first sight, that love continues to grow in leaps and bounds each year that you are around. Each year becomes my favorite, more than the one previous and I am eager to see what the coming year brings because we have told you for ages (about various things): “Oh, you can do that when you are six.” Six is the magical year when THINGS happen.

But let’s take a quick look back at five… starting with going to school! Oh my you were excited about that. The first week of school you were already asking me why you couldn’t go every day and you declared that your teacher had the sweetest voice in the world.

Though you loved Mrs. Anderson, you still held that Keila was your girlfriend and you guys have continued to be best buds, though you don’t get to see each other as often as you used to when you were in daycare together.

But you did get to play soccer together – your first foray into organized sports… after the season was done you said that you’d like to join a bowling team so perhaps soccer isn’t your thing for now. Lately you’ve been asking about karate so I think that’s the direction will head for your next “thing.”

You were my ever-present cheerleader in working out, either down in our basement mini-gym or out in the neighborhood walking. You always tell me I’m getting skinnier, or a less-favored, “You’re just a little bit fat.”

We explored our beautiful city many times and you are always excited to see new things and wonder about the things we’ve looked at in the past. I love that our city gives us the opportunity to bring some culture into the lives of you and your brother and allows us to do fun things almost any weekend we choose.

It is my goal to ensure that you and your brother end up friends as adults, preferably best friends but I know that might be pushing it. I would have loved to have a sibling that was my age when I was growing up (though I don’t fault my parents for NOT having another child at 42+) and I am so glad you have each other.

While you have your stubborn, angry moments (don’t we all?), you are genuinely a joy to be around. You are laid back, easy-to-please and full of conversation (so many words are just waiting in your brain to come out at any given moment).

I cherish the special times we got to have together on our after school dates… and I look forward to more of those when school starts back up, I’ve missed that time with you, even when you had nothing you wanted to say about school (“Mom, just stop asking me questions…”).

I’m thrilled you got to travel to Australia and will remember all the experiences we had there – most especially the time you got to spend with Grandma Dorothy.

You were the bravest boy for your little belly button surgery and we are as excited as you are to have a brand new belly button that no longer randomly bleeds… nice to get that fixed after having it since birth, a last remnant of baby/toddler-hood!

The day finally arrived when you fell in love with Legos and discovered the joy of making your own creations.

I will never cease to be proud of you for your creativity. Or, your perseverance in continuing to work on things that cause you grief (I always knew you could figure out how to swing for yourself).

You have made me a mother but you’ve also made me a better person.

Daddy and I love you (and Jack) so very much! Happy birthday, snicklefritz! You are six, let the things happen!