My Cousin, Kristin

If you have been following my blog, then you know every once in awhile, I like to blog about those that are very near and dear to me. Today I have decided on my cousin, Kristin. Not only is Kristin my cousin, but she is more like a sister. We have been there for each other through thick and then. We have always been very close. I guess it is because I was born in May of 1982 and shortly after here came Kristin in July of 1982. Growing up we did everything together. Both are Dad's played softball together, so there wasn't a weekend that went by that we didn't see each other. Man I remember those days. That was when the BIG 80's hairstyles were in...I can picture all the players wives in my head right now. I can also remember the screaming..."Okay Defense Now" "Defense" "You Gotta Hold Em, You Gotta Hold Em" "Three Up, Three Down" Softball pretty much consumed all our lives. It was funny because not only did My Dad, Larry and his brother John play together, but John's (Kristin's Dad) brother in law, Randy also played. Growing up it was Nichole, Chris, Summer, Kristin, Michelle, Josh and I. Poor Chris, he was the only boy until Josh came along. Chris and Summer are Randy's kids and Nichole and Michelle are my sisters. Josh is Kristin's younger brother...if that all makes since! Since Chris was the only boy, we pretty much made him do everything. Especially when it came to pushing all us girls in the tire swing. I remember when my Dad's team won the tournanment and it was off to Atlanta, Georgia for all of us. All us kids climbed into the jucuzzi and we made our own little whirlpool. Like I said those were the days. Kristin and I would always spend the night with each other on the weekends, if we weren't already out with some of our other friends. When we were younger Kristin's parents used to live accross the street from their church and I always thought that was so neat for whatever reason. I guess it's because whenever I would stay the nights on Saturday I knew we wouldn't have to get up so early for church the next morning. We could just walk over and be there in less than five minutes. They also lived beside their Pastor, which I also thought was really neat. I think the Pastor's kid, David had a thing for Kristin. He was always trying to show off in front of us.
There were many a slumber parties as you can imagine, but one always seems to stick out in my head. I am not sure how old Kristin and I were, but if you were there, then you know exactly what I am talking about. I guess us girls were being pretty loud and keeping both Betty and John awake. There were probably 12 girls total that night "sleeping" in the living room. Summer and I were lucky b/c we both had the couch. Anyway, I guess it was John's bright idea to come up to the living room window with a pitchfork and literally SCARE the living day lights out of us. I was the first person to see the image b/c I was facing the window. I am sure my face was priceless. Kristin and Summer were both looking at me and asked "What's Wrong?" I said "Look out the window" Thus the blood curdling screaming began. One girl even went into Shock, I think. Betty and John both thought this was just so hysterical. I am sure the look on our faces were priceless! Needless to say we were pretty quiet the rest of the night. That is one slumber party I will never forget.
Kristin and I have also been on many beach trips together. Our grandparents used to own a beach house in Long Beach, NC. Most people refer to this as Oak Island. Growing up, there weren't many people/things to do there, but now it is booming. It is no Myrtle Beach by any means, but getting there. We always went to the Beach together, whether it be her coming with me or me going with her and her parents. We always slept in the same back bedroom and would be up all night giggling and carrying on. We talked about the craziest things and did the craziest things. We also took the dumbest pictures together ever. If I can find any, I will post them. You can definitley tell it's the late 80's early 90's by what we have on. We would go deep sea fishing together and be out all day with John and Betty. It is a miracle that I never once got sea sick. I would always pretend to take the sea sick pill, but could never swallow the thing, so I would just fake it. Like I said it is a MIRACLE I never got sick. Praise be to God for that! Kristin and I would always sit at the very front of the boat. We liked it there because we could see everything and the waves would crash into our faces. That always felt so good on those HOT Summer days. After fishing all day, we would walk over to the pier. This wasn't just any pier mind you, but the longest pier in NC or maybe the US I believe. I can't remember off the top of my head. I just remember I used to get scared walking on it. Kristin was the brave one. She always wanted to go to the very end. The pier was so long, that you could go King Maceral (spelling) fishing off of it. I used to look down through the cracks and pray to God we didn't fall through. Kristin wasn't much for going into the water b/c she had been stung by a jelly fish one year. We never did go swimming by the pier after that incident. Too many jelly fish swimming by there. As we got older and could drive at the beach we could go out and do our own things. We both got our belly buttons pierced while at the Beach. Man I wish I was still that skinny! Kristin even pretended to get a real tattoo just to wig her Mom out one night. It worked for all of fives minutes. I thought Betty was going to have a heart attack right there at the fish camp! I was also at the beach with Kristin when Jeremy proposed to me. She pretty much knew what was going on the whole time and never once spilled the beans to me. I was glad to have her there. That is something I will never forget! We have had many wonderful vacations together including Mexico! Ohhh to be there right now....Ohhh Alex! (Kristin knows what I am talking about).
Kristin and I have also worked together. The pay wasn't all that great, but again that too is something I will never forget. We worked together at good Ole Council on Education and Management. I am sure everyone there thought we were both crazy. Our desks were side and by side and we would literally pass notes over the tops of our cubicles just to be funny. We both met some of the wildest and craziest people there. We had lots of good times while there! Even though the pay wasn't the best, the people are what made Council, Council. It is a great thing waking up and actually looking forward to going into the job everyday. Stacy, Marquisha, Dawn and Kia, you ladies rock! I wish I still looked like Malibu Barbie as ya'll use to call me!Man we had some good times! (Side Note- Stacy, it's time for that Council reunion you have been talking about! )
I have been there with Kristin through all the boy drama too. I recall one boyfriend, Lord he was a looker, but boy was he the jealous kind. His name was Adam. I remember meeting him for the first time and my face probably turned 10 shades of red. Hallejuiah that boy was FINE! I was thinking "@#$% girl you sure know how to pick em" Ummm, Ummm, Ummm....we better move on now. Oh yeah, then there was Jeremy. Good Ole Jeremy Ferris. I about died when Kristin told me his name. I knew him from Middle School and he had dated two of my other friends. I forget how they met, I am thinking at Lowes, but can't recall. Then came Mr. Randall Dane Deighan. I know I am leaving a few guys out, but I cannot recall their names and these are the one's that stuck out. Randall was stationed over Seas in Iraq and Kristin and Randall would chat via the internet and on the phone when they could. They started dating over the phone in late May, early June of 2004. I could tell Kristin had it bad for this guy when she would set her alarm at 3 in the morning just so she could be awake when he called her. We sent him many pictures and a care package. I knew she had fallen hard. When he got a break from Iraq Kristin and Randall made plans to meet up. That was it, the girl was hooked. I finally got the chance to meet Randall one night at Kabuto's in Huntersville and he was exactly as Kristin described him. While introducing himself he gave me a big hug and said "well it's finally nice to meet you." Sure enough they had hit it off and he definitely had my approval. Not that it mattered. When Randall had to go back and finish out his duty, I thought this would kill Kristin, but somehow she made it through. She always does! That's my Kristin, a fighter and a believer. They now have the most beautiful little boy, Jackson. I always told Kristin we would be pregnant at the same time and sure enough I was right. James came in late March of 2009 and Jackson arrived in April. BFFE's for life...at least that is what James says. That means Bestfriends, Forever and Ever. They are both precious little monkeys!
Kristin and I have been through thick and then, through good times and bad times, but one thing has always remained the same, Kristin has and always will be a fighter. Kristin, Honey, I don't know if and when you will read this, and I know times are VERY hard for you right now, but please no that no matter what, I love you and you are much more that just a cousin to me! You are like a sister. You are a fighter and you have more spirit than anybody I know. You can and will overcome the hard times that life throws at you. I hope that you yourself believe that. I know I do. Please know that I am here for you. I think about you daily and I am praying for you! Always know that God is in control and with him we can and will overcome anything...he is ALWAYS victorious and nothing and no one, not even the devil himself can defeat him. Through Christ Jesus we can do all things! I know you miss your Dad more than anything in the world and would give anything just to talk to him one more time. Please know that he loves you no matter what your faults and that he would never give up on you. I see his spirit living in you. Please don't ever take that forgranted! I love you Pooter! Love,
-Dally-

Some sides notes for you...

Fristin
Dally
"Dang that plane is flying"
BFFE
Ohh Alex
Oh you want Sex on the Beach?