Sunday Grateful

Today I'm grateful for my little brother Justin.  I've been thinking a lot about this post because he's been preparing to serve an LDS mission.  He reports to the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday of this week.  He's sort of been the star around here lately so naturally, I've been thinking about him a lot and how much I'm going to miss him while he's gone for two years.
Follow Elder McNew's mission on this blog: http://eldermcnew.blogspot.com/
 
Justin is 10.5 years younger than me.  He was born while I was in fifth grade.  So, not only have I known him my whole life, but I also remember all of it.  He was a super cute baby and I was really excited to have a live doll to play with all of the time.  My mom really let me help out a lot too.  I don't remember doing any diapers but I do remember feeding him and dressing him.  Justin and I shared a room until he was about two or three.  When he was about one and a half we moved to Utah from Southern California. 
I remember lots of times when he was in Elementary school.  I remember that he cried every day of Kindergarten for about the first six moths.  Ha ha!  He sure was spoiled!  I remember one of his birthdays I totally planned.  My mom put me in charge, I must have been about 14 or 15 and I really loved that idea.  I did everything, all of the games, and entertaining.  It was so much fun. 
I moved away from home when Justin was about 8 or 9 so I didn't get to see much of his Middle and High school days but we've remained very close. I would always take care of him during the summers.  Jess and I would always take him to the swimming pool and mall.  I remember teaching him how to swim, and ski and ride a bike. 
After I had kids, Justin was a very good babysitter.  He was awesome about helping me out with Ryan when I was pregnant with Evan.  Because of the diabetes, I always had lots of doctor appointments.  Toward the end of the pregnancy they were once a week. I would come to Justin's welding class and bring Ryan and a car seat to him.  He never complained or backed out on me, it was great to have him be so reliable at a time when I needed him so much. 
Justin has become an amazing motor cycle mechanic.  He's been taking things apart since he was about three years old.  I don't know what it is about him but he's always been very good with things like that.  He's awesome to always help me out at my house with little handy-man jobs that I need. 
Justin has lots of friends because he's so easy to get along with.  He has an enormous heart, and he's very sensitive.  I know that these traits will really help him while he's serving his mission. I think I'm going to miss him a lot but I'm so proud of the decision he's made to serve.  I know that he'll go through some hard times, experience things which are difficult, but with the help of the Lord, he'll be able to have the time of his life! 
Good luck buddy, I love you!

Comments

McCallProbert said…
I can't believe he's so grown up now. I just remember him being so small and full of energy. I loved coaching him on the little kids swim team. Time sure does go by fast.
Christie said…
What a wonderful tribute to your little brother, Im sure he feels just as lucky to have such an amazing big sis!!

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