Still Trying to Catch Up

November 5

I'm thankful for my little brother Matt.  I am 8 years older than my brother.  That's quite a difference.  When I left for college he was 10.  When I came home from college he was 16.  Thank goodness I missed most of those 6 years!  Matt and I butt heads like you would not believe.  He can instantly irritate me.  But I wouldn't want a different brother even if I could choose from a line-up on the best little brothers in the world.  Matt has accomplished a lot of things in his 20 years.  Matt still has a lot of growing up to do but I think he's pretty great.  Matt and I love to laugh together and are big fans of Marcel the Shell in Shoes.

Matt taking a little nap at Poppa's house

Me, Matt, and KT at Matt's high school graduation

Matt hanging upside down (I assume at Boy Scout camp)

November 6

I'm very thankful that I live in a country where I have the opportunity to have a say in the people who run the country.  Even though the election did not go the way I would have wanted I was still very proud of myself for voicing my opinion.

"I'm Thankful For..." Day #2

As I said yesterday, I'm playing catch up for the "I'm Thankful For...." Series

November 3

I'm thankful for my Dad.  He's simply the best guy around (please don't take offense Aaron).  I'm a Daddy's Girl through and through.  Aaron tells me this weekly.  But he also says he appreciates that about me.  My Dad is the Scoutmaster for Troop 360 even though my brother has not been a boy in scouting in 2.5 years.  He believes in Scouting and has always said he will be the Scoutmaster of that troop until it isn't fun anymore.  This is got to be one of the qualities I respect about my Dad the most.  He gives so much time and effort to Scouting and doesn't ask for anything in return.  Growing up my Dad was the parent who could talk to me about my grades or silly things like that.  Mom and I would fight,  Dad and I would talk.  He has always supported my decisions, even when he doesn't think they are the correct decisions.  My Dad is one of the most laid back people in the world (until he spills a Cherry Limeade in his truck).  He taught me what to look for in a person I wanted to marry.  He always puts his family first.  He is one of the most faithful men I've ever met without being annoying about it.  I think he is one of the few adults in this world that truly has "Faith like a Child."  I completely respect that about him and a lot of the time find myself wishing I could always have Faith like that.  My Dad is a gigantic teddy bear but he has definitely scared away some losers!  His motto is "Don't Poke the Bear!"   Thanks Dad for being an amazing Dad, Man, Bear, Scoutmaster, and overall Human Being.

Dad is his Mic-O-Say Pretendian outfit

Dad after he received Wood Badge

Dad and me oh so many years ago!

November 4

I'm thankful for my sister Katie KT.  She is super!  She tells the people she loves that she loves them.  She is amazingly smart even though many people count her out when it comes to that.  She is silly and funny.  She is always there to cry on and will comfort anyone she cares about who is upset.  She genuinely cares about the people in her life.  And she never forgets someone (this truly amazes me).  My sister has made me the person I am today.  I truly believe that without having a special needs KT I would not be anywhere near the person I am.  In the movie In Her Shoes the older sister says "She's my sister.  Without her I don't make sense."  This might the single most true movie quote I have ever heard that has directly applied to my life.  It's true, without KT I wouldn't be me.  I thank God everyday for sending KT into not only my life but my entire family's life.  KT has always been a gauge for people in my life.  If KT liked them then they were probably a great person.  KT is the reason I've done crazy things like the Polar Bear Plunge.  My sister always has great stories for me to share with friends.  My sister runs the show in our family and I don't think any of us would ever want it any other way!

KT and I at the Metrodome cheering on the Twins

KT and I at Special Olympics bowling!  She's a bowling rockstar!

KT and I at Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Missouri

A VERY PROUD KT at Special Olympics track competition

Workin' Wednesday

As you all probably are fully aware it is summer.  Also, as you may be aware last week it was like 1,000 degrees outside.  Ok so it was really about 106 but it sure felt like 1,000 degrees!

Summer in my family means the boys are gone to scout camp.  Our Troop (Troop 360, the best Troop in the world) camped last week.  This means we (Mom, KT, Stephanie, Ida, myself, and all of the rest of the scout families) were required to go to St. Joseph Wednesday for Family Night.  We all take food and gorge ourselves then we go to the Council Ring for the Family Night show.

It is common practice to wear your Troop 360 t-shirt for Family Night.  I decided that a t-shirt was going to be entirely too much fabric for my liking on this particular Family Night since it was 1,000 degrees outside!

I decided that I was going to make a tank top to wear and then brought Stephanie in on the plan.  So on Wednesday we quick made tank tops before leaving for camp.  This was the only action shot I got...

Just like anything that Stephanie and I do, there were tons of laughs.  Like when Stephanie swore Troop was spelled wrong on her tank top after she ironed it on.  Or when I ironed my 3 on backwards (consequently we learned that iron-on letters come right off if you dab rubbing alcohol on the back of the iron-on).

Here is the front of the finished product...

 

And of course the back with a little bling...

 

 We were so proud of ourselves and we received lots of compliments on them.  And one offer to buy one!

 

Meet My Daddy...A Day Late

I talked about my dad a little bit here.  But, in honor of Father's day I decided to highlight this awesome dude again and probably go into a bit more detail!  I know I'm a couple days late but better late than never!

 

My Dad is a Sachem in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.  I call him Sachem Daddy.  The tribe calls him Sachem Sun Trail.

 

My Dad is the Scoutmaster for Troop 360.  This is when he received his Wood Badge.  But, look at that smile...it's just simply amazing!

My Dad is a helper.  This is him helping me stand up when I was just a little Becky :)

 

My Dad is pretty adventurous!  This is him with my cousins Justin and Dan flying across the Royal Gorge

 

Dad and Matt...check out that mullet!

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My Dad is a hunter!  He was very proud of this buck!

I know every girl thinks her Dad is the best Dad ever but they are wrong.  Just kidding!  I am sure there are other great Dads out there.  My Dad is great!  He's fun and hilarious but he also knows when to be stern.  He's always willing to help anyone.  And simply put, he's my Dad, which makes him fantastic!