sisters

Today is the day I am thankful for my little sister.  She's my only sister and she is the best.  We are ten years apart but the age difference isn't remotely recognizable to me.  I have always treated her as if she was my own age (sorry mom!) and I will take all the responsibility for why she is so mature!  Ha - not really all thanks to me - but seriously, she has always acted much older than her age.  Elizabeth gives me the gift of myself every time I'm with her.  She is one of the only people in this world that I can truly be who I am completely.  We have the ability to make each other laugh (even with her all the way over in Italy I still look up to her bedroom windows whenever I drive over my parents house expecting to see a nice "full moon" - typical, Eliz).  She's seen me cry more times than you could count and never has judged my reasons for tears.  She has always provided such a sense of comfort for me.  She brings out the best of me and has always given me a large amount of confidence in myself.  She and I love each other unconditionally!  No matter what we are always and will always be there for each other.

me, our brother michael and eliz

Elizabeth is currently in Italy for the entire school year living the traveling college girl dream.  As happy as I am for her excursion it has been hard having my little sister so far away from me.  I miss texting and chatting and seeing her so badly.  Luckily, we can skype and email and facebook but there is nothing like sitting on the couch and hearing her coming down the stairs to hangout "late night" in our basement.  Pete and I have been so lucky that she (and her friends!) enjoy hanging out with us so much.  When we first moved into our house, she still was a senior in high school, living five minutes down the road.  We had so much fun having her and her friends coming over to hang out.  It's amazing how "used" to things you can get.  I totally took it for granted and I realize now how much I miss her in my daily life.

Eliz is an amazing sister but she's even more of an amazing aunt.  She loves Braden (her godson!) and Gracie so much.  She loves to play with them.  They love to play with her.  B used to call her "uh-riz" and now Gracie girl calls her "Lala".  It's so cute!  They both LOVE to skype with her.  I don't feel like I get many words in when they are around because they both are constantly yelling, "hiiiiiii!!!!!".  It's cute.  One of my most favorite memories with her since I've had kids was the day she came to visit me in the hospital with Gracie.  It was a quiet day and her and I just literally laid in my hospital bed while she held Gracie.  She and Gracie just cuddled and got to know each other.  It was so sweet and special.

So today, on November 21st, I'm thankful for Eliz.  It's her 21st birthday.  I'm so proud of her.  She's beautiful, bright, happy, smart, funny, talented, passionate, committed, loving and enthusiastic lady.  She loves the people in her life, especially her family, with all her heart.  I'm so thankful for each and every moment she and I have together!  I love you Eliz!  Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to....Me!

Thirty-One wonderful years ago (yesterday - I had too much fun celebrating that I didn't get a chance to post this!) my dear mother gave birth to the one and only...ME!

For 31 years I have enjoyed celebrating my birthday as big as can be!  I'm an attention lover - so this day is the best of the year for me.  It's all about me!  Ha - I think it's taken me 31 years to be able to say that out loud without feeling guilty :)  I mean, why not... I love this "holiday".  I love everyone calling and wishing me a happy day.  I love getting cards in the mail.  I love presents and flowers and all the special thoughts that people give me and, of course, I love the cake and ice cream that goes along with celebrating!  Ever since I was a little kid, I have always felt like the world has stopped and it's a day all about me (thanks mom and dad!).  I think every person should feel this way on their birthday.

Luckily for me my handsome hubby subscribes to the same birthday philosophy as my parents do and has treated me like a queen every birthday that we've spent together.  He has created amazing birthdays for me every year.  On my first birthday we were together he baked me a purple birthday cake and it has become tradition since.  His creations get better and better with each cake he's made.

Every year I am baked the most yummy and most purple 

birthday cake you can hope for.  Pete is quite the "cake boss" and has the ability to decorate a cake better than anyone I know.  On top of my annual cake that I have to look forward to, he always gets me amazing presents (which he wraps better than anyone I know.  He makes me dinner, cleans the kitchen and lets me do whatever I want.  He allows me to drag my holiday out across the week it falls.  I know what you are thinking - how did I get so lucky and where can you find someone like that - sorry ladies, he's mine!

This year my birthday week is filled with love from family and friends across my life.  I'm so lucky to have each and every one of you and am grateful for all the love and celebration you are providing for me this week!