My brother....

my brother can be absolutely infuriating. But only I am allowed to say that. I am the sister after all. No matter how much I want to smack him, I want me to be the only one to say that, or have the right to smack him. And trust me, Chris and I can go at it arguing with the best. He likes to pluck my nerves, and I let him, and then the feathers start to fly.

It's always been that way. Ok except for when we were really little.

BUT, as many times as I'd like to just smack him, there are just as many times as I just adore him. He might be a turkey to me, but he loves my kids just like an uncle should. He spoils them rotten. Teaches them how to get maximum velocity burps. Holds them upside down in the toilet. Rents them video games that I do not approve of. Lets them eat ice cream until they yack. Whatever - he's wonderful, cool, goofy Uncle Chris.

And Uncle Chris is being deployed next week. We think now it's Iraq, but we are finding out that can change in a nano-second. Chris came home this past weekend to tell us all goodbye.

To be blunt, it sucked. Lola cries every time she says his name. The boys are trying to be cool about it. I don't talk about it. Mom and Dad, well - obviously - they are taking it as any parent would, trying to be strong, but devastated.

So - here are some pictures that would get me sucker punched if he knew I posted them! :)

All grown up - but legs still look like he's 12...and take note of the SLICK 'do he has