Hootin' Annie

Having 2 kids and watching them interact has made me think about the profound effect my brothers and sisters have had on me. From my personality and temperament, to my adaptability, and even my interests.

One thing's for sure, growing up with so many kids in one house was rough, but having a big sister as a best friend made it a lot easier. So

here's my take on my friend, sister, and life-long role model: Annie is the one who taught me how to comb my hair, ride my bike, and take complements politely. We played Barbies, school, and orphanage for hours a day. She's the one who, when we went camping, would frolic with me in the tall grass, pick flowers, and play mermaid in the streams. This may seem like a fairy tale, and I wouldn't blame you if you stopped reading because it's so soppy. but before you quit friend, let me tell you that we didn't always love each other as we do now. I remember when I was so mad at her, I broke my Ken over her head. And one day, I came home to find this message, penned in puff-paint on our mirror: "Laura is a burrito-eating dork". It seemed to be a whole cycle of wrath between us; I would wear her clothes and stain them, she would tell something embarrassing about me to my brothers, so I would snoop through her stuff, etc. I'm not sure exactly when we grew out of it, but this I do know, Annie grew out of it first, and showed me unconditional friendship and love. She helped me through some of the hardest times in my life, never judging. I'd say that's her strength. She always believes there are two sides to every story, and gives other people the benefit of the doubt. That's why I can never have a really good gossip session with her because she ends up defending whoever I'm talking about and I end up realizing how pathetic and silly I sound. She showed me how to be a good wife and mother by always looking for ways to improve herself and grow. Just when I think I've matured enough to be on her same level, she blows me away with some deep, wisdom filled comment. This makes me realize that she'll always be my big sister, and I'll always have someone to look to as an example. Some may think of that as intimidating. I don't. I'm just grateful that I'll always have someone just ahead of me, showing me how it's done.

Things I love about Annie:

She always has some artsy project she's working on

She has awesome taste in music and shares new stuff with me

She sings great, and her voice blends perfectly with mine

She dresses super cute all the time

She always supports me in all my endeavors

She makes yummy salsa

She has a great laugh

She is very witty

She has great taste in movies (muppet treasure island!)

She is sweet and supportive to her husband.

and last but not least, she loves meeeeee!