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my bad

I have so been meaning to blog, but literally since my BEAUTIFUL baby girl was born I haven't had a moment to slow down. These last couple years of life seem to be flying by and even more so now that I've realized. its making me sad. I am so happy because we are so busy and just sincerely happy as a family but I want to freeze this moment in time. I am so in love with my daughter and her father and my life with them. 

We have been so busy getting the hang of being new parents, and then traveling with an infant,and visiting with family and friends all over. So much fun, but I must admit it will be nice to settle down in the next couple weeks. Then hopefully if Nadia is sleeping, Mike is taken care of, the laundry is done, dishes too, and I am in that blogging mood that I can blog and post pics. Until then its off to bed and ready for another adventurous day!

xoxo

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Chiedu Crystal

Ya know, up until this last January when I was in West Virginia and got to spend time with you I honestly just thought of you as my littlest sister; nothing less and nothing more. I knew that obviously you were your own person with feelings, ideas and a voice. But I didn't realize to what extent you had already grown up and become somewhat of an adult. I think the hardest part for me was realizing that even though you are 4 years younger than me you're not a baby. I was thrown off to see how damn opinionated and stubborn you could be, and how mature a lot of your words and actions were.

Growing up it always seemed to be me and Ahia closer together, and then you and Ob. Ahia and I did almost everything together growing up closer in age, we for sure had our differences but as we got older we became closer than ever; at times we were the best of friends & the worst of enemies (that just comes with the territory of being sisters). Ob and I have always had a connection (I think its because we're the brownest ones in the family, and the best looking duh).

But you and I... I'm just not sure how to explain it. We've forever had a relationship but it was more of an oldest sister: youngest sister one. We weren't close, but we were not not close (makes tons of sense, I know).
 I've always had a tremendous amount of love for you and protection over you and still do, but I grew a greater sense of admiration for you at Ahia's funeral when you gave your talk. During one of the most saddest times of my life you brought reassurance, smiles and a little bit of laughter not only to my heart but to the hearts of all those in the chapel. Your talk was amazing and the reason I knew I would be okay and have strength to carry on was because I saw how strong you were being, and I could only imagine how much you depend on your older siblings in comparison to how much I was depending on you. I knew I had no choice but to be strong for our family, and set a good example of how to deal with the loss of our beloved sister. You Chiedu, have the biggest heart, you care so much about all things (especially cats) and are so honest in your everyday life (even at Olive Garden when our waitress forgot to add our desert to the bill, I was all for free desert but you HAD to tell her...we got it free anyways & that goes to show honesty is the best policy).

March 16, 2012 marked your 18 years of living on this fun, crazy, hectic earth and I was glad to be able to wish you a Happy Birthday. I can't believe you are 18 years young; legal to all the boys barking up your tree, no more curfew, and now you can do one of the best things Americans have the chance to do... VOTE! (the coolest thing EVERRRRRRRRRRR ;) I don't feel much older standing next to you and Ob considering you both tower over me, but I do know my brain holds more wisdom and experience (not to toot my own horn). If I have been one thing in your lives I hope it is a good example of a bad example. I want you both to learn from my mistakes so that you'll NEVER have to go through some of the things I have endured. I know you're smarter than me already (sometimes...lets not get ahead of ourselves), and I just wish the best for you. I am so proud and excited for you to soon be a student at West Virginia University, congratulations again. I see big things for you in your future, and cannot wait to be apart of all the amazing things you accomplish.

 Excited for you to be an aunt, you're going to be great and she's going to love ya! I love you too silly girl, hope you love this blog (I know you've been anticipating it) Happy 18 years of living, and many more to come. Thanks for being a big inspiring part of my life.