Changes

My little sister isn't quite so little anymore.  She's nineteen and she's going to college.

In Milwaukee.

Tomorrow.

{Elm Grove, WI, 1999, the last year we didn't have to wear uniforms}

Who said you were allowed to grow up?

happy...

...father's day, birthday, and birthday and...everything.
My family has over half of our birthdays and general celebrations in a one-month span.  It starts with mother's day and is followed any graduations, my cousin's birthday, Cory's birthday, our anniversary, my parents' anniversary, my sister's birthday, father's day, Oma's birthday, Oma and Papa's anniversary, and my dad's birthday.  This year, father's day was Sunday, Oma's birthday was Monday, and the anniversary as well as my dad's birthday are today.

So instead of saying "happy birthday" or anything, I'm just saying happy.  Be happy today and smile.  It's officially summer and that's always something to smile about.

{So Very Happy print by dazeychic on Etsy}

I've been busy the last few days (as you see above, plus I babysat all day yesterday), but I have almost finished the backpack I was making and I will post the tutorial as soon as it's done!

happy mother's day!

I've got a lovely mom, mother-in-law, two wonderful grandmothers and grandmothers-in-law, and a whole bunch of terrific aunts.  Today is their day!

This is my mom's side of the family sometime between 1997 and 1999, judging by the backyard.

Starting from the left, in the top row are my namesake, Aunt Katharina, and her husband, my Uncle David; then my Uncle Jeff and my mom's twin sister, Auntie Franny; then my dad and my mom; on the next row are Papa and Oma and Jeffrey (now 19 and at Westpoint); on the bottom row are my sister, Jojo (now 18 and about to graduate), our dear old dog, Bucky, me, and Josh (now old enough to drive).

I'm pretty sure Josh and I were responsible for having the dog in the picture.  I doubt I shed any tears to make it happen, but I probably would have if necessary.

Please don't kill me for posting this picture.

I miss you guys!  Have a happy mother's day and I can't wait to live just a few minutes away (or in your house, Oma)!

I hope you give your mom a hug today--in person or in thought.  

ventures into the blogosphere :: if you have a sister...

then you should read this.

the lil bee: Advice to Devon and her sister

{human nature art print by shirae on etsy}

I've got a little sister myself, and she's my oldest and dearest friend.  I sang to her when she was a baby and taught her to say please and thank you on a trip from Wisconsin to Kentucky (oh, how patient my parents were).  I hold no responsibility for her manners at all (which, thankfully, turned out to be good).  Sisters are wonderful.  Every girl should have one.  If she doesn't, best friends will do, but there's nothing like a sister.