sour patch cat

Those of you who I have let into my circle, who know me, know I love numbers and signs.

I love when something in life comes full circle and you see the pieces of the puzzle come together. Soon those pieces become a grand picture, your life.

I hope everyone takes time once in a while to witness how all your life events, no matter how small fit together -everything has meaning.

I was 13 when my sister had her first baby. Now I was already an aunt to 3 amazing kids, but this was my first experience with a brand new baby in the family.

I will always remember that day. I was  at my sister's house babysitting my nieces and nephew while she was at the hospital. We made a blanket tent with the kitchen chairs. We made a big bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough (and just ate it all out of the bowl)!

And let us shout some honesty, I may have put my nephew in the dark pantry for a few minutes...... I mean, he was told to stand in the corner and would not listen (disclaimer maybe I should not have been left alone with 3 kids....). Come on, nothing but love for you Joe -can we just have a beer and forget about it?

While I was excited for this day, I sure had no idea what was about to come into my life. When we were finally able to go visit them at the hospital it was time, I was going to hold this brand new baby boy. He was so sweet, all swaddled up tight and that chubby face. I think they say I turned shades of green 7 different ways from Sunday -then I went for the bathroom to puke! Wow! Welcome to the world Levi Luke! I don't think either of us were quite ready for what life was going to have in store for us -more so, maybe the world wasn't ready for us!

We have been through some experiences.

Your family moving to Arizona.

Then moving back and living with us.

Eventually you when you were living in Missouri it was my turn to come live with you.

This is when you brought Barbie Girl to life. I loved taking you places -even more so seeing your little arms in the back seat dance and raise the roof to Barbie Girl!

I will be 87 and that will forever and always be your ringtone.

Before I knew it we were all back in Illinois and I was expecting a baby of my own. He was born prematurely and the day after your birthday -talk about timing.

All the weekends we would come to visit, you were always playing with Andrew even though you are 6 years older. And let us not forget the age of ....hey, Aunt Sami... here is a list of songs could you make me a cd.... Well of course!

And that year you spent the night at our big house over on Vasey at Christmas! hashtag winky face. But I was never so excited for you to become, 16 and capable of driving down for visits! General population wasn't ready for us to spend more, unsupervised time together.

Late night Walmart runs.

Sonic binges.

Eating sour patch kids until our mouths bleed and drinking Dr. Pepper like it is the cure for all the that chaos around us we don't quite like.

Gaming all hours of the night, internet struggles... and remembering last minute that there were no eggs out for the Easter Bunny!

I can't go into full detail of the many hours, random trips and flood of laughs we've had (we don't want the rest of the world to think there is fun to be had...)!

Your graduation, made my face leak. Being extremely proud of you I was also thinking selfishly because now that you were growing up, there is no way it would be much fun to come hang out with your old aunt. But we sure haven't lost our step.

Unfortunately I am seeing more and more of me, in you. Real life struggles are to be had, and when you are as fun as we are -it comes with some downsides like OMG! DID YOU SEE THAT??! Nah, I was just pulling your peach.

One of our favorite snacks together is Sour Patch Kids., and if you think about it -you are my sour patch.

That first day we met it was pretty sour how you made me puke, but it sure has been a sweet experience ever since!  Talk about a puzzle coming together.

Someday, we you will ask a girl to marry you. (tell Jay I am sorry, I will be your best man!) I imagine it is then, finding any time together will become a hot commodity. I'll have to kidnap you like a bad hazing experience, just play along! Then the time will come I will expect no less and know that you will break me out of the home every so often (just don't forget my diaper bag....)!

Love Aunt Sami