October 16th... for the 59th time!

So this post is a tad late... can't say I have a grand excuse, just got busy doing stuff.



Oct 16th, 1950... what a day that was! Of course, I wasn't there to celebrate the spectacular event that took place, but I've had great benefits from it.



Like being born. LOL!



Yes, that was the day that my father, Peter Robert, was born. He was born to Peter Raymond and Elizabeth Ann, my grandparents. Being the first child and the product of a great love story is something to celebrate indeed. Whirlwind romance, short engagement, apparently they couldn't live without each other, resulting in marriage and then came my dad, the first of four!



This year, we celebrate birthday number 59. I have to say, it's hard for me to imagine that my parents are no longer in their 30's. I know that sounds funny considering I am in my 30's, but of course when I'm around my parents, I still feel like a kid. And to think my parents were younger than I am right now when I made my grand entrance into the world. My dad was 25 when I was born, and I was so close to having the same birthday as him, but was 5 days too late. I've always loved the fact that we share the same birth month. Somehow, being a daddy's girl, it always made me feel special and unique.



It's true. I grew up a daddy's girl. We did so many things together, or I'd always be tagging along whether he wanted me to or not! I remember loving to watch him shave and he'd put a dab of shaving cream on my nose. (I used to wonder how come I couldn't shave my face too!) Whenever he would leave to pick up people for church, I'd be riding right beside him. Sometimes we'd be in a car, and sometimes we'd be in a van because we'd be picking people up that were in wheelchairs. I'd try to help him set up the ramps, but usually ended up just being in the way. Still, he'd let me come along every time. I'd ride with him to pick up Sunday School kids or go on bus ministry. I'd sit in a hard plastic chair to watch him get his hair cut at the barbershop by Country Cousin's Market in Costa Mesa, CA. He would let me work the fireworks booth with him every July and as I grew into an adult, eventually we started a new tradition. The two of us would be the ones to go every year and buy the fireworks for the family.


As I am typing this blog, so many memories are coming to the surface. Looking back, I'm realizing the many things that my dad and I used to do together.


I'll save you all from reading a very long list, but I have to keep my blog tradition!



So here is just a partial list of things that were all about my daddy and me!

1. Watching Lakers games together
2. Slowly I turn... step by step...
3. Singing Duets
4. Going to teach Bible Studies (he'd teach, I'd babysit the kids)
5. House hunting
6. Talking about movies
7. UFC Nights!
8. Buying Fireworks
9. Shopping for Perfume for Mom for Christmas (Giorgio Beverly Hills anyone??)
10. Browsing FedCo
11. Combing out Deborah's hair! (LOL)
12. Taking care of the kids while Mom was away (Ladies Retreat!)
13. Picking up people for church
14. Debating (no one ever won!)
15. Going to Twinkle Park (with Mom too!)
16. Riding bikes at the Back Bay
17. Working in the fireworks stand
18. Eating lunch at the Hilton Hotel at General Conference in Anaheim, CA 1984
19. Going to the barbershop (at least until Peter came along!)
20. Watching him shave in the morning
21. Reading bedtime stories when Mom was too tired or busy (he's skip pages!)
22. Sitting in his lap at church
24. Going on Space Mountain (or NOT going on it after 1 hour wait!)
25. Driving in the truck on long trips listening to Chicago and talking about everything!

Happy Birthday Dad!! I can't believe this is the first birthday (since I've been around) that I haven't been there to celebrate with you!! I know that may sound sad, but when you think about it, it doesn't really matter where I am or where you are, we can celebrate together in our hearts! That's the power of love and I love you very much Dad! I wish you so much joy and blessings this coming year. The best is yet to come, I just know it!!

Love always,
your #1 girl,
Catherine Elizabeth

Pedroline... The 28th year

Pedroline (pronounced pA-drO-leen) is a name that just rolls off the tongue. Half masculine, half feminine, it completely describes the fashionista that is my brother! Okay, so he loves fashion, but let me set the record straight, Peter is not feminine in any way, shape or form!! (oh my, I better stop while I'm ahead, the jokes just keep coming... I'll leave the 'shape' part of that statement alone! HA HA HA)

I have no idea who or why we came up with that nickname for Peter, but nevertheless, he is stuck with it. Of course it is just one of many nicknames for our complex brother.

28 years ago today, Peter made his grand entrance into the world. 45 minute labor and boom there he was... perfectly pink and healthy. He really is a miracle baby (in fact all my siblings are miracles) and it wasn't until later in life that we've realized that the perfectly pink was hiding the truth... Peter is a bit off, a bit slow, a bit flawed, a bit, shall we say... SPECIAL. But we love him just the same, just as if he were normal like us!! Of course none of that is entirely true, but we've always had a too much fun giving him a hard time. LOL.

Today I salute my brother Peter on his birthday. It's hard to believe that he is 28. That's a serious age. 30 is looming ahead and responsibilities and taking life seriously are the daily pressures that come as you start to leave your 20's behind. So Peter, as you celebrate the day of your birth, ask yourself this... What Would SpongeBob Do?????

In usual blogger style... here is a list of Pedo Stuff. (does anyone else notice how these lists get longer and longer each year?? funny that.) ;-)




28 moments of Peter's 28 years:

1. Goose Egg Forehead with 2 black eyes
2. Pneumonia on Christmas Day
3. Beside bell ringing
4. Jerry Macguire and a girl
5. Beating up 5 guys on the corner
6. BMX Madness
7. Standing in the corner
8. Cammo in the backyard
9. Shooting the wife in Big Bear
10. Laugh attacks in the middle of the story
11. Singing the testimony
12. Sam Ash Limelight Nights
13. Label swapping
14. Dribble Shirts
15. Goodwill Hunting (or Thrifting)
16. Carebear hugs
17. The mouse and the giant strawberry
18. Headlock sleep wrestling
19. Boonsters!
20. Spongebob bedtimes
21. D2E
22. Drive by healings
23. Cruising to Mr. & Mrs.
24. Backscratch Begging
25. Poker face
26. Madlib crying
27. Bee running (ending in TIMBER!!!)
28. What about JIM??

In case none of you know this.. #28 is actually a serious one. Peter spent his time and money looking out for a homeless man named Jim. He bought him meals and even went and would buy him new pairs of pants. This is the epitome of my brother. His compassion showed up early in life and he's maintained that sensitivity to others needs up to this point. Peter, you make me proud to be your sister!

I hope this year is abundant in blessings and that you receive your deepest heart's desires!! Happy 28th Birthday!!

Love
The Big Queen Sister! :-)