The family went to Arlington Race Track today in order to eat too much, laugh even more, lose a bit of money, and celebrate Mom’s birthday.  I’m 46 years old and the youngest of four children.  Do the math:  Mom is 39.

We’ve had a mini-tradition in the past of going to Arlington for Mom’s birthday.  But, the tradition seems very different now.  For one, this is the first time we have gone without Dad.  Two, our children, the next generation, have joined us for the first time.  In regards to Dad, it was acutely different being there without him.  But, to her credit, Mom placed bets on Dad’s behalf every single race.  And he didn’t win a once.  You’d think he’d have better connections by now.

My brother, Favorite Child, is entirely unpleasant.  He gave Mom a bag of 100 golden dollar coins for her birthday.  I gave her a two-for-a-dollar bag of chocolate covered peanuts.  On the surface, his present looks a little better.  But, consider this little fact and decide for yourself:  she saved the peanuts and took them home with her, but she just kept giving the golden dollars away.  Her favorite is obvious, no?

It was a BEAUTIFUL, almost perfect day.  Dangit, Dad, if you could have just come through with one long-shot, the day WOULD have been perfect.  Man, get busy networking, and we expect better of you next year.  Despite that, myself and our siblings, our spouses, and our children know that we have won the lottery in terms of family.  And Mom deserves all the credit.

Happy Birthday to the coolest 39-year-old ever!!!!   You are loved, Mom.  You are loved.

As the saying goes, nothing says “Distraction” like pyrotechnics. 

We usually love to blow things up, but this 4th of July was different.

A young friend had died the week before.  Our little family was still in shock and enveloped with sadness for folks we count as long-time close friends:  her brother, her boyfriend and his parents.

Though no part of us felt like “partying,” we did want to offer a distraction from the tears.

So the afternoon of the 4th a quick text message barrage was launched announcing “Burgers, Dogs, and Blowing Things Up” at our house for anyone wanting to join us that evening.  We had no hopes of providing healing, or therapy, or wise counsel. 

We only hoped to provide a moment or two of distraction.  And, those that needed it the most, they came.

And, it did the trick for an hour.  Fire, loud noises, mayhem.  It’s hard not to have your thoughts diverted from their usual course, if just for a second.

As in this picture above, when the boys finally managed to get that little helicopter firecracker to go airborne.  See the twirling light?  That’s the flying ball of fire taking flight… straight towards Magoo and Grace, who screamed and took flight themselves.

All things being relative, it was a good night.

Our nephew, Jakester, has just graduated from college!  Or, as they say in England, where he has been going to school, University.  I applaud them.   University sounds much more awesomer than College.  And us Americans are all about awesomer. 

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the words Emmy has written for her brother on this studious occasion:

There is a certain excitement which seems to capture the heart of a caged bird about to be freed.  A fluttering beat of the heart which causes all of the pent-up ideals of the dreamer prepare themselves to be realized.  Suddenly, the sight of a train pulling away from the station when you are riding with only the bag you packed and the clothes on your back seems like the beginning to the grandest adventure your life has yet to possess.  In the blink of an eye, you feel as though your life is forever going to be new- old sounds, sights and smells take on a different dimension.

Such is the life of a dreamer going off to University.

I saw all of this and more in the eyes of my dear brother heading off to Wheaton College. It was to be his first taste of freedom, and he was more than ready.

But, life and college are sometimes the death of dreamers…

I didn’t really know my brother very well at that time.  I am the youngest in the family, four years younger than Jacob, so as he was graduating high school I was only graduating from eighth grade.  And, if you have not realized, kid sisters at that age are highly annoying.  So, when Jake went off to college, he was more than ready, but I was not.  I do not think that anything could have prepared all of us for the changes which would take place over the next four years.

Each time that Jake came home from his first year of schooling at Wheaton, situations at home would arise which made him want to get back there as quickly as possible.  Even though he did not like the school environment very much, it was better than being home. I remember seeing pictures of his first year at college and laughing inwardly at his little forms of ‘rebellion.’  Completely true to his heart, he expressed his frustration not through violence or angst, but through music and not washing or cutting his hair- little things.

As the year progressed, things seemed to become more and more trying each time he walked through the doors of our house, and, he grew increasingly unhappy at Wheaton. So, looking for schools to transfer to, Jake decided upon The University of Manchester in Manchester, England!  A grand adventure for my dreamer brother, and halfway across the world. In his mind, it had to have been the perfect solution.  I was jealous to be honest, but happy for him at the same time to be granted the chance to leave with such an air of permanence.

Well, as life has a habit of doing, things changed.  Times grew even rougher for the dreamers of the world, or at least for those who grew up in Illinois.  Jake, thinking that the problems he faced in America would not follow him to England, set off ‘across the pond.’  As he did, things seemed to culminate at home.  I was the only dreamer left in the vastly flat space of Illinois, and was sorely missing the company of now not only my brother, but my sister as well.  On November 2nd, mom and I moved out of the house into a condo of our own.  I have not talked much to Brother about how he felt at this time, but I could tell by the times that I talked to him that he wanted to be there to take care of us.  He has spent the last three years striving to do and accomplishing just that.

You see, a dreamer may have their head in the clouds, but it only truly serves to give them a better perspective of what is happening down below.  This is the best way that I can describe my brother.  He is a dreamer with a purpose, a great one.  He has accomplished the difficult task of taking care of his family from a world away.  He has seen great sights and gone on adventures already in life that most never dare to dream about.  He has shown me what a strong, caring, passionate, upstanding man is.  He has cared more about what is going on in the lives of Mom, Aubrie, and myself more than his own problems and struggles.  He has taught me to be open to everything, take care of the world around me, shun any ignorance in my mind, to never stop reading and learning, to tear the ‘box’ that I live into pieces and burn it and help others to do the same.  But, more than anything else, he has taught me to not only have dreams, but to never give up and to achieve them.

And, as it turns out, in a conference of dreamers spread about the world, we have come to a consensus.  We are going to change the world for a brighter future for everything, and, it just so happens that it is looking up for the dreamers of the world.  I am proud to say that my brother is one of the head leaders making this happen.  The great thing about dreamers is that they never have to be right all the time, it is the just that they strive to be even better.  Always.

Jacob, thank you for being the best big brother that anyone could ask for.  You have changed so much over the last four years, for the better.  I cannot thank the Lord enough for being able to know you more now than I did back then, and to have you as a brother. You have taught me what a true man is to be, always setting the best example for myself and AUBS!  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think and be a dreamer.

So, Brother, Happy GRADUATION from college. May you never stop learning, changing and creating a better you, and a better world.

Well said, Emmy, well said.

Jacob, you have graduated from college University.  Few achieve such an accomplishment.  And it can never be taken from you.  Attaboy, Jakester!

Oh, one more thing.  It’s been difficult for Jake to not be with Emmy during her graduation, or Jake’s family not being by his side as he graduates.

So.

I rectified both situations: 

k

Fooled you, didn’t I?

Guess what?  Those pictures are PHOTOSHOPPED! 

Jake, when you come home, we shall celebrate in proper University fashion.

Sadness pervades this home.

There are just no words.

As I write this, DustMeister, Grace, and Magoo are in the barn comforting, consoling, just being with their lifelong friend whose younger sister died not 24 hours ago.  Her sweet, vibrant, young life tragically ended not by the fault of her or anyone who loves her.  Tragic is not a word that can do this situation justice.  No word does.

There is nothing wonderful today.

For those of you not cool and in-the-know like me, BIL is text/blog shorthand for Brother-In-Law.  Now you know.

You’re welcome.

In keeping with the current streak, it’s time to write a BIRTHDAY POST.  This one is for my one of my BIL’s.  It’s for the one who infuriates me.  And here’s why:

• He has endless patience.
• He is a sincerely phenomenal artist.  But never acts like one.
• He is nice to, get this, EVERYONE.  And, get this again, ALL THE TIME.
• He is ten years older than me, and looks ten years younger than me
• He is a Cardinals fan.
• He is an Astros fan.
• He is a whoever-is-playing-the-Cubs-or-Bears fan.
• He likes to rub it in.  And, unfortunately, he is afforded many an opportunity to do so.
• He stinking wins games in our Fantasy Football league without even PAYING ATTENTION.  I call foul.
• He is a thoughtful, considerate husband, father, son, friend.

Oh, enough already.  I can’t take it any more.  Isn’t this guy ticking you off too?  Here’s the thing.  SweetGuy and I often rely on the negative characteristics of others in order to compare ourselves to the extent which WE LOOK GOOD.  But, HELLO, we compare ourselves to BIL and only come out looking like a wrinkled paint-shirt.

What is with this guy?

And, here’s another thing… we sit and wait for him to slip up.  Wait for that moment in which we can say “Aha, BIL is not as wonderful as we all thought.  So there!”  Problem is, I’m still waiting.  He’s been my BIL for darned near 25 years.  And, I’m STILL waiting.  It’s all a game to him, I bet.  He’s taunting us.  His time will come.

Oh, I give up.

Patrick, you are without a doubt, one of the very finest human beings I have ever, or will ever, meet.  STOP THAT.

We love you.  And, Happy Birthday.

I know, I know, this is the third birthday post in a row.  Cut me some slack, I didn’t control when these girls chose to come into the world.

Just make sure to read this post, because AUBS! and Magoo are nice and all but they are no Little Couz in Texas!!

If ever, ever, ever did the phrase “Sweet Sixteen” apply, it does to our beautiful niece Little Couz on today, her sixteenth birthday.  I’m serious here.  I know I (mostly) say nice things about folks on this blog and I (mostly) mean them, but in the case of Rachel they are all SO true.

Knowing she would be back home in Texas on her birthday, we decided to have a surprise party for her a few weeks ago when she was back in lovely Illinois for a visit.

We planned a combined surprise birthday party for Rachel and graduation party for Bud.  We knew we couldn’t adequately pull off the whole everyone jump out and yell SURPRISE kind of surprise because of logistical issues, but we were able to at least adequately catch Rachel off guard.

(Bud… not so much.  In keeping with the whole surprise theme, we were trying to keep Rach and Bud out of the barn for a bit while I finished up decorations, etc…  Bud started to head for the barn and was just about to open the door.  Seeing this, SweetGuy quickly decided to distract Bud and head him in a different direction.  Unfortunately, SweetGuy’s distraction was “Bud, go find your Mom.”  To which Bud replied “OK” and opened the barn door, knowing I was in there.  Distraction Fail.”)

Here’s Rachel entering the barn with everyone yelling surprise and Happy Birthday:

She’s happy and all, but still a bit confused about why everyone was yelling and all.

Someone explains to her it’s actually HER birthday we are celebrating and the light goes on:

And so the party begins.

There were all the standard party accompaniments:  cake, balloons, party hats, and singing.

And, then things got a little weird.  It turns out Rachel is not quite as stable as I thought.

We started a bonfire and everyone joined around for smores.   Normal, right?

Rachel’s Mom toasted a marshmallow and somehow the goo from the inside slipped out onto her finger.

Rach would NOT allow said goo to be disposed of.  She was adamant.  Why, you ask?  Well, because it looked just like a profile of John F. Kennedy of course!  Silly you.

The photo is very poor, but please judge Rachel’s conclusion for yourself:

What do you think?  Is she sane or not?

Here’s a little visual to help you with your decision.

UNCANNY.

We could have made a mint on e-bay with this likeness if only Rachel’s mother hadn’t insisted on flicking JFK off her finger after a mere 15 minutes.  Thinking only of herself.   Sad, really.

Perhaps Little Couz isn’t 100% stable, but she is only 16 after all.  She’s well on her way to perfection.  I know she’s not one for ever seeking the center of attention (unless a presidential marshmallow is involved), but she deserves to be the center today.  In all seriousness, this BEAUTIFUL young woman brings such joy to this whole family in every way.  You will always be LITTLE Couz, but you are HUGE in our hearts.

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!!

My extraordinary niece, Aubrie, who I refer to on this blog as AUBS! because her personality is definitely ALL CAPS and Exclamation Marked, is 21 years old today.

Stinker.

Among the many amazing aspects of Aubrie’s life is the fact that she is always ridiculously hilarious, energetic, and fun.  AND, if that wasn’t enough she’s sweet, smart, athletic, and a beauty too.  A rare combination, I must say.

We celebrated her 21st a little early this last weekend and had a mini spa day in our barn.  A spa day in a barn?  Hmmm, sounds a bit like an oxymoron.  But, it worked for us.  And AUBS! got dolled up and we did a photo shoot, with the help of her entourage and their assigned tasks:

• Emmy:   Moved Aubrie’s arms here and there and toted her shoes around.
• Grace:  Found portrait samples on the web and carried a laptop with said photos all over the land as we took pictures.
• Singing Sally:  Brushed hair and smiled.
• Jake B:  I’m really not sure what he did, but he carried a towel.
• Magoo:  Ditto to Jake B’s job, but minus the towel.
• Bud:  Kept the dog out of the photos.  Failed at keeping the cat out of the photos.

This girl is so darned cute that nearly every image was awesome.  Here’s a couple I particularly like:

You really should check out the whole slideshow by clicking right HERE.  Go ahead, do it now.

Oh, and here is her amazing entourage doing their thing:

These are some mighty talented people.  But, maybe they shouldn’t quit their day-jobs just yet.

Happy Birthday AUBS!!!!