My little sister's graduation

On May 19, 2011 my little sister graduated from high school. Even now as I type these words I can hardly believe it.  My little sister is now a high school graduate!

I remember the days when it was nigh to impossible to go a day without a large blown out fight.  I also remember the days of playing from dusk to dawn.  I remember the days of going off to day camp together.  Then we hit our teen years together.  We had a lot of good times together.

Then Thursday, I watched that little girl walk across the stage and receive her diploma.

 I sat there wondering where the time had gone.  My little sister now stood before me as a beautiful young woman.

Lauren- I am so proud of the woman you are becoming.  You are beautiful on both the inside and out. I look forward to making many more memories with you in college.  I love you little sis. 

College Fun...

Wednesday I took my last final as a junior!  I cannot believe I am officially done with my junior year of college.  Only one more year to go!

My last few weeks of college were filled with many projects, speeches, tests and finals, but also a lot of fun.  

Several of the college boys attempted to play flag football.  It was interesting to say the least.

Then the college was able to take a trip to the Creation Museum.  I had tons of fun, and I also learned a lot.

 We enjoyed the Imax Experience

 We also enjoyed the many fascinating exhibits. 

 Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

 Adam and Eve making a sacrifice because of their sin

 The Noah and the ark exhibit was also very educational.

 The Tower of Babel 

 Outside of the museum they had a petting zoo with many strange animals.  However, I prefer to look rather than pet.

 On this trip I learned so much.   I feel that I am now more confident in my belief of creation.  When my beliefs in the beginning of the world are questioned, I feel like I can better combat the evolutionists.  I know that in the beginning God created the earth!

 I also learned that being on the bus for 5 hours can make one do pretty strange things:

 For the last couple hours on the bus we played the game of mafia over and over again.  I learned that my friends are extremely good liars at times..kinda scary, how good actually...

 Derek trying to convince that he is not in the mafia, he is the Nurse!

It was a great activity to end the school year with!

Four women and a cat

Before I begin this week's memory let me introduce you to my cat, Midas.  You must understand that Midas is very much a part of our family.  

It was two years ago, my father was away on business leaving my mom, sisters, cat, and I  home alone.  We were all heading off to bed.  Nicole, Lauren, and my mom were in bed.  I went into my parent's room to say good night to my mother.  Midas followed me into the room, jumped onto the bed, and then into the window. 

Then,

 it 

happened...

The screen popped out, and down he fell..two stories into the thorn bushes below.

I immediately began to cry and scream, which aroused my sisters out of their beds.  We all ran to the back porch, slid open the sliding doors, and ran outside.  There we all were running around outside at  11:00 at night.  As I thought back upon this event I distinctly saw all our unique personalities come forth.  Let me explain:

Mom: Brooke, you just need to accept it...that is a far far fall.  Midas is dead.  Brooke stop crying and just accept it.  You need to prepare yourself he is dead.  And if the fall didn't kill him then he will stumble into the road and get run over.

Brooke: Well, all I did was cry and cry and cry.

Lauren: ran around and around and around and around the house, 

Midas, Midas, come here boy!

Nicole: All right guys, cam down.  Mom, stop saying he is dead. Cats always land on their feet therefore Midas is not dead.  He is probably just scared and ran off.  Brooke stop crying calm down and call for him.  He will come eventually.

Eventually Midas rounded the corner, shaking and trembling in fear.  I swooped him up in my arms held him tight.  I carried him up the stairs, put him in bed with me, and then silently thanked God for protecting my little man.

Mom entered into the house peeked into the room, and told me that Midas may have hurt some of his organs on the inside, he may have internal bleeding.  He still may not make it.

Lauren, well I think she ran a couple more laps around the house.  She then came in, gave Midas a cheerful rub.  She hopped into bed and fell sound asleep.

Nicole, she went straight to bed, without acknowledging Midas.  All the while muttering that don't we know cats land on their feet.  He will be okay.

Two years later, Midas is still alive and well.  That night was truly one of the scariest nights of my life. Yet, every time I think of it, I cant help but smile.  

Brooke

Happy Birthday Lauren

  Today my little sister turned 18 years old.  

I love to simply think back and reminisce over the past 18 years of our lives together.  I love to think of all the fun we had together as children.  How we would awake early in the morning to simply play with our Barbie's.  How we would lie awake late into the night talking about anything and everything, laughing until we finally dozed off.  

This past year Lauren has grown and changed a lot.  She is no longer that girl that I used to play doll house, paper dolls, and Polly pockets with.  It seems like my little sister suddenly grew up in a year.  Now as she stands before me today, I see a beautiful young woman.  A woman that I know God will one day be able to use in a mighty way.

Lauren, I love you so much!

Happy 18th Birthday