Congrats to Nat-Nat!

May has been a fun month but a month that has made me feel rather old. My little sister is 5 years younger than me and so after my own high school graduation I felt like it would be ages before it would be her turn, but low and behold "ages" has come. In ways it has flown right by and in other ways it has felt like more than 5 years, but either way I feel a little old. She's seriously going to be joining me at school next year. We're planning on taking a few classes together which seems so strange to me, because the last time we went to the same school, she was in Kindergarten and here she is, all grown up and graduated! I've been joking that she'll probably graduate college before me and it really is pretty possible. She's much smarter than me and got lots of college credits while she was in high school. I'm so proud of her for graduating and can't wait to see what the future holds for her. Today as I sat and watched her graduate I had to fight back emotions (another sign of my old age, as a youngster I had no emotions). I didn't feel the slightest bit emotional at my own graduation and certainly didn't think I'd want to get all emotional today, but knowing what it has taken Nattie to get to today brought up this overwhelming sense of pride. She has endured more in the last 2+ years than any high school student should ever have to. Her sophomore year went very well for her, but come junior year her health took a dive and she's really never recovered from it. She has struggled with quite a few different health issues for years (also something no young person should ever have to have) but last year they just simply got out of control and she had to miss a lot of school which meant for a lot of make up work for her...and by make up work, I mean entire terms of work. This year was slightly better but still a challenge and her health still made it really difficult for her to be at school and drag herself out of bed everyday, but after lots of sacrifices, tears, and hard work, she made it and I couldn't be more proud of her! Way to go Nat-Nat!

Seminary Graduation (last week)

Graduation Lunch at Riverside

A Few Pre-Graduation Pictures

Post Grad Pictures

SEVENTEEN.

"...17 only comes once in a lifetime, don't it just fly by wild & free..."

This goofy gal turned 17 today!

I can't believe how old she is getting.

I feel like I should still be 17--can't believe its been 5 years already!

I still remember that birthday like it was yesterday.

Although I love the age and the time I am in, I can't help feel a little jealous of her. 

17 really was my favorite age. I had sooo much fun.

It baffles me that next year my baby sis will be an adult. 

Hopefully she savors and appreciates her last year of childhood!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATTIE!

Oops!

Seems like just about everyone has a funny young driver story.

Natalie officially has hers, it happened on Monday.

The only problem is that it is still too recent for her to find funny.

but I thought I'd share...

 

 

Love ya Sis!

Just glad it was an accident with a fence & you're safe!

and as dad put it, "better the fence than my truck!"

oh...and thanks for the laugh!

I'm Thankful for...

My Sister

With Thanksgiving around the corner I have been thinking about many things I'm thankful for in my life and due to recent changes I can't help but recognize how grateful I am to have a sister. If you know us very well at all, you know that we can fight a pretty nasty fight with each other, and that in the past, we've done this on a regular basis...as in DAILY! It used to be quite the chore to get us to stop fighting. Most the time we wouldn't quit til one of us was in tears, and lets face it, that was NEVER me. Being the older, less sensitive one, I seem to always have the upper hand and much better war tactics. However, in the last 3 months, my sister and I have not fought even ONCE! Impressive, I know. I can't help but thank our new living situation for this one. We no longer live in the same house and life is great! We get along Soooo much better and when we are together we can enjoy each others company rather than nag at each other. Last week Natalie was my life saver when I had no one to go to a dance concert with me and I was so glad that she was able to go. It was not only fun to go to be in her company but also to see something we both love. My brother's have been fairly supportive when it has come to all my dancing, but they can't touch the support and the understanding Nattie has in this area. She and my mom were ALWAYS at my performances and competitions in high school and before that she too was competiting at all the same places as was I. She is now on drill team and it has been so fun coming and watching her dance so far and can't wait to watch her at all her competitions this year (sad though, I can't be at the first one next week.) I'm happy seeing her succeed especially in something I personally love so much.  Here are the top 10 things I love about Natalie.

1. She's no doubt a peace maker.

2. She is always bailing me out of trouble, tis true.

3. She's very giving, not just to me, but to everyone.

4. She's SUPER smiley & FULL of personality.

5. She doesn't like meat very much, which leaves more for me :)

6. She agrees that I have a big butt...this is a constant debate at our house. Random I know.

7. She can pull off headbands of all kinds, and I cannot. Lucky girl!

8. She is an awesome listener.

9. She idolizes me...but then again who doesn't? (totally kidding, i'm not THAT arrogant.)

10. She's willing to admit it. :)

Love you Nattie!