Family - Blog 7: My Youngest Brother

I remember the day he was born. It was December 1 - his actual due date. I think he is the only one of us who was actually born 'on time.' I think that speaks volumes to his personality :) He's never enjoyed being late to anything.

Keanu was the cutest little baby. He was totally and perfectly bald. He had a wrinkly face like an old man, and long (but small) little fingers. When he finally did start growing hair, it came out white....and stayed that way for, well....forever. I think he's just now starting to get some pigment in his hair...and he's turning 14 this year.

Time. Flies.

Having a baby brother has been one of the highlights of my life. I didn't even care that I had to help change his little diapers. He has brought light and laughter and joy and all things that are good into my world. And it started at a young age. For a few years, he was my very own little shadow. He even let me paint his toe nails a few times. Even his first full sentence was just for me: "Nikki, you look pretty."

Of course, all little boys grow up to be big boys and he decided hanging out with Kameron would be way more fun. I always had some secret jealousy about that...but I knew it was necessary for him to grow up and be a proper boy ;) Little brothers naturally want to hang out with big brothers...and not big sisters.

Nevertheless, little Keanu definitely played a protective role over me...despite our 10 year age difference. When I had my first "boyfriend" in the 8th grade...Keanu would never leave us in a room alone together...even though Keanu was only about 3 at the time. He would sit between my little boyfriend and I and monitor all conversation.

The best part was...no one ever asked him to do that. He just did it.

Now this little baby brother of mine is a teenage boy. With that comes other fun things: camping, fishing, board games and silly jokes. But in my mind...he is still too young for things of the world: I want him to believe in Santa. I want him to be able to see magic in the world everywhere he goes. I want him to remain ignorant to all that is bad in the world, and live in all that is warm and good - just like him.

I love my stinkin' little brother. And his braces, too.

Family - Blog 6: A Teenage Younger Sister

I've had a lot of things in my life. A bike. A hamster. Cats. I've had phones and CD players, boyfriends and cars. I've had breakfast pretty much every day I've been alive, and I always had a bed to sleep in.

One thing I haven't really had is a teenage younger sister.

I've got one of those for the first time.

She's exactly what you'd expect a teenage girl to be. She drives a car, she doesn't like school. She likes to text and hang out with friends and avoid younger siblings. She likes to sing and dance and put on make up.

I think my favorite thing about having a teenage younger sister is that they are a lot of fun. They'll help you cook, go shopping with you, watch stupid tv shows with you....they'll talk to you on the phone about stupid stuff and they'll trade secrets with you.

I may not know much about a lot of things - but one thing I know for sure is that I love my teenage sister :)