5.5

Last week my baby girl celebrated her half birthday.  I don't make a huge deal on the half birthdays but I do like to recognize them.  I can't believe she's 5 1/2.  Time is flying by.  She may only be 5 but she sometimes acts 15.  I mean, she's already boy crazy and loves wearing makeup.  She would wear makeup every day if I let her but I don't even let her leave the house with the stuff on unless it's her dance recital. 

She's so much fun and always keeps me laughing.  She's also quite a hypochondriac I think.  Every day it's something new.  Some pain somewhere on her body.  It's so hard to tell if she's being honest or not and it's frustrating.  Last month we were talking about diabetes and she said, "I had that last year."  Uhh ... no you don't.  Luckily I haven't received a phone call from the school nurse in awhile.  It's usually because she has a headache or stomach ache.  I always tell them to send her back to class.  It gets ridiculous.  Although once last month she did throw up and I did pick her up. 

She also has a big heart and is very sensitive.  She cares about other people.  When I told her about the death of her cousin she cried a lot.  She doesn't even remember her cousin but I guess it was the thought of losing a cousin that upset her.  She's also willing to help her grandmother.  

This girl is all about everything girly.  She loves wearing skirts and dresses and if she asks to wear a dress and I say no it can turn into a total meltdown.  She still wants to be a princess when she grows up.  I'm not sure how that's going to happen but I think it's adorable.  Her favorite animal is zebra and you will find zebra print stuff everywhere in her room.  She has been learning how to read and has started being able to solve basic math problems.  She amazes me. 

Recent Briannaisms:

"When I grow up I want to become president and I will tell everyone I have a dream of making the world a better place and if you don't like it you can leave."

A Little Bit Of Sunshine In February

We have been having amazing weather here in Pennsylvania and it's so strange for February.  We have enjoyed up to 70 degrees in the last few days.  It's wonderful.  Today is a bit cooler but the rest of the week looks like it will be in the 60's.  It's been great.  I am not a fan of the cold winter weather so it's nice to have such a mild season.  I am savoring every bit of it that I can because it's quite possible that mother nature will bring in the coldness again. 

Over the weekend we took the kids to a playground.  It was nice to be outside in the sunshine.  It was also nice that we didn't need the winter coats.  Yesterday, Presidents Day, the kids spent a lot of time outside as well.  I'm so glad I have kids that love running around outside using their imaginations.  All the electronic devices make it so rare lately, doesn't it? 

I also took the kids for a walk to our neighborhood playground while my husband worked on his mother's taxes. 

It's so typical to see warm weather one day and then cold weather the next so I'm anticipating the freezing cold to come back but I really hope not.  Even my day lilies think it's spring. 

Heaven Gained An Angel

It's so heartbreaking to find out that my oldest niece has passed away.  She was only three years younger than me.  It was always funny when introducing her as my niece and people would look confused and ask, "You mean cousin?"  No, she was my niece.  It's possible to become an aunt when you are practically a baby, that is, if your sibling is sixteen years older and started having kids young.  Yes, it's possible. 

Her and I were so close as kids.  We had so much fun hanging around.  There was a time when she was one of my best friends.  As we got older we didn't hang out as much and it was mostly because I ended up moving to another state.  Still, whenever we did get together it was a lot of fun.  She was always someone very special.

She spent her adult life battling with multiple sclerosis.  It has been so tragic watching her body slowly fade away.  No one deserves this, especially our beautiful Diana. 

My sister shocked me when she called me back in November to tell me that Diana was sent to the hospital and was about to die.  Everyone was there saying their goodbyes.  This came as a shock to me.  Her organs were shutting down and it didn't look good.  Suddenly it seemed she was improving and she hung on for three months.  It was three months of hell.  Lots of back and forth and uncertainty.  Then last Friday my dad called to tell me this was it.  It was only a matter of days.  Yesterday my sister told me they were all going to the hospital to say goodbye.  This was going to be it for sure.  As I laid in bed I received a text at 4am to say that she had passed away at 2:32am. 

My family lost an amazing person.  She was a daughter, sister, aunt, niece and mother.  She leaves behind two amazing boys.  My heart breaks heavily for them. 

Thank you for the memories Diana.  I am so fortunate to have known you and to have been your aunt.  Fly high angel!