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 3: My Older Brother

The relationship I have with my older brother is strange...to say the least. We struggled to get along throughout our childhoods. I tattled too much. He unplugged the phone when I was trying to talk to my friends. We yelled at each other. I cried. He ignored me, I ignored him. I think we even went a good 4 years where we didn't talk to each other at all (but mostly because we were just so consumed with ourselves that we didn't bother to make the time to try and have a relationship).

But, despite our many conflicts, he has always been what an older brother should be. He got on my nerves (like an older brother should), he had cute friends (like an older brother should), he punched his friend in the face for making a rude comment to me (like an older brother should). He even played barbies with me once. When we weren't fighting, he always made me laugh.

These days he amazes me by his ability to eat 7 adult meal servings in a single sitting...somehow managing to turn all those calories into muscle. He has a peculiar sense of humor and his laugh is contagious. He always has advice if you need it. He's quick to apologize, too. He's a good friend, a handsome son of a gun and exactly what an older brother should be... and I love him!