Happy 22nd Birthday, Little Bro!

22 years ago, I became a big sister…..

January 28, 1991

I remember dad picking me up from Kindergarten and telling me Josh had been born.  I could hardly contain my excitement as I gathered my stuff, and headed out the door, but not before I asked my Kindergarten teacher for an extra sticker for my new little brother.

The picture above was taken moments after getting to meet this new little man in my life.  Little did I know how this little guy would change my world for the better.  Although I was only 5, well 9 days shy of being 6, I remember walking in and seeing my mom holding my new little brother and begging to hold him.  Being 9 lbs, 8 oz and 21 inches long, he felt like he was almost as big as me, but mom let me “hold” him with her assistance (you can see her hand in the bottom left corner).  Although it looks like I am strangling him, I promise I wasn’t – in my mind, he was my own little living baby doll, and I’m sure I was trying to put him on my shoulder and gently tap him on the back just as I did my baby dolls.

As you can see, I was a very proud big sister that day, and I can honestly say that I am just as proud of him today, 22 years later.  Although our relationship has not always been perfect, I think he knows I would do anything for him (and I think he feels the same way about me). Words cannot express how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to see him grow into the smart, talented, sweet, and handsome man he has become and how blessed I feel to have been chosen to be his big sister.

January 28, 2013

He was and still is the best early birthday present I’ve ever gotten

Happy 22nd Birthday, Brother Bear!  Thanks for being the best little brother ever!  I love you!

Looking ahead….(Resolutions for 2013)

In hopes of having some sort of accountability for my resolutions this year, I thought I’d write them out here.  Help me stick to them ok?

• Get back in shape:  Cliché…yes, BUT thanks to two rounds of steroids over the past few years, I have not only packed on 20 pounds, but I am flat out miserable.  I can’t lie and say I’m not partially doing it to look better (I have LOTS of big events coming up this year and I want to look good ), but I’m also doing it to feel better.  This one will be a tough one, but now that Alex is back in town, we’re going to work on it together.
• Be a better blogger:  I know that I don’t have many people who still read, but I look at this blog as sort of a journal.  With everything going on in my life right now, I forget all the little details.  I’m still kicking myself for not doing a better job keeping it up, because I’ve forgotten a lot already.  I’m not going to hold myself to a certain schedule, but I’m hoping to at least blog 1-2 times a week (hopefully more, though!)
• Finish my PhD:  Wow, that is a scary phrase to type, but far more doable than it seems.  Although I am at the mercy of my dissertation committee, and I might have to push graduation back to Spring 2014, I’m hoping to get everything done in time to graduate December 2013…whew!  We’ll see, but for now, I’m channeling “The Little Engine that Could”….”I think I can.  I think I can…”
• Spend more quality time with friends and family – I realize that to keep myself sane, I desperately need to take time for myself.  I’m hoping to have lunch with at least one friend a week, visit ALL of my close out of town friends at least once, and speak with my friends on a fairly often basis.  Emphasis on the word quality….hopefully no cell phones/e-mails/distractions during our visits/chats.
• Continue to work on my relationship with Alex:  As I’m sure you all know, relationships are work….even ones that have been going on for almost a decade.  Things between us are wonderful, but I want to keep it that way.  I’m excited about settling back into our old normal of seeing each other all the time and “dating” again…without getting sick of each other first, of course

 

Things to Look Forward to in 2013:

• BCS National Championship game in Miami NEXT WEEK!
• Baby Brother graduating in May
• 2 tech conferences at which I am presenting (New Orleans in March and San Antonio in June)
• My 10 year HS reunion (TBA)
• Celebrating 9 years of dating my sweet Alex (at least round 2 in college) in November
• HOPEFULLY becoming Dr. Slaten in December

Wishing you and yours much happiness and many blessings in 2013!

xo,

Maegan