A Tale of Brothers

Over the past few weeks, I have been reminded of the importance of brothers.  As the only girl sandwiched between two boys, I didn't have any sisters until later in life (first step-sisters, then sisters-in-law - both categories are like true sisters now); but, my first experience was with brothers.  I watched Spiderman cartoons, played with He-Man toys, detested the color pink, and tried to keep up with the boys while we played Jackpot outside or played Crack the Egg on the trampoline.

Maggie, Henry & Graham (1990)

Now that we're older, these brothers of mine have grown into men; they are cultured, intelligent, and I look up to them.

2007

2011 (Graham's Wedding)

Many people have asked with this pregnancy, How many kids do you have on planning?  At this point, we are going to see how the birth goes, but we plan on having more than one.  That means that, God willing, Baby H-G will be a brother to someone some day.  It's crazy for me to think this small little baby will be an older brother for a little girl or boy.  And beyond that, he will first be a brother to play with, then a brother that will grow-up (as mine have) and be a companion to talk about life and how time has passed.

Brad and I have been greatly blessed by the influence of our brothers (and sisters), so it will be fun to see those dynamics with the next generation.

Brad & Nate (2008)

Nate, Brad & Stacey (1991)

In other brotherly news, I am saddened to say that my childhood sewing machine finally had to be retired.

My 1960's Singer (not sure on the year)

She put up a good fight:

1. The pedal would increasingly get hotter and hotter to the point of burning my bare or socked foot if on for longer than 30 minutes.
2. Threading the bobbin, a common and necessary task in sewing by machine, became shredding the bobbin as it would slice through the threads meant to be coiled neatly around the bobbin.
3. While sewing at a normal rate, the light would dim, the needle would slow, and the whole sewing process would fade down to a snail's pace as if it was an electric go cart running out of juice.

And what does this have to do with brothers?  Well, allow me to introduce you to my new brother, and a new addition to the H-G family, the Brother SE400 Computerized Embroidery & Sewing Machine.

My Newest Brother

Okay, enough about toys...

How about all of you?  Have you ever stopped and thought about the impact your brothers have had on you?  And not to leave out sisters (as I am one of those) - how have they influenced your life?

Thank you to all my brothers & sisters,

~M