my bean

my baby brother turned 22 yesterday. 22! that makes me older than, well, 22. when did we go from kids playing in the backyard to adults in the real world?! well, he's almost there. graduating next may with degrees in criminology and aerospace studies. dang, i don't even know what all that entails..must be something smart. he's also commissioning into the airforce next may and heading to lackland air force base in san antonio, tx to train in security forces. following that he'll be assigned to the 820th security group at moody afb in valdosta, ga (where he'll go through jump school and then do all kinds of security forces fun stuff). whew, that was a mouth full (and hopefully all correct!).

so wow....where does the time go? i miss my bean. bean pole..only because he's 6'4 and skinny as a bean pole. he's the firecracker of the 3 of us kiggins kids. red hair and freckles, nickname 'fedex' because he never really looked like me or jason growing up. he used to play "bulls" in the yard with dad and would try to butt heads fairly hard. he went through an obsession with cowboy boots and would sneak across the street and come out wearing the neighbor kid's boots. he wanted so desperately to be involved in everything his older brother and sister were in and would [annoyingly] tag along. i regret being mean to him at times, telling him to leave us alone. i do remember rushing to his side and holding him tight when he broke his arm at 6 years old.

ah ryan. the animal lover. he had this hamster growing up who he had named angel, but jason and i changed to "stinky" because the cage always stunk. i can still picture him standing in his room and crying his eyes out when angel (stinky) passed on. i'm pretty sure our childhood dog loved ryan the best. i think he's the dog whisperer.

ryan, the athlete..played tons of sports growing up and was even caught dressing up in my ballet leotards and tights. ok, actually i made him dress up like that, but thankfully mom snapped a picture for blackmailing down the rode. he's an awesome soccer player and i'm sad i missed so many of those games while i was away at college. we've recruited him out to play on our "old people" co-rec teams when he's out visiting seattle though. in fact, didn't you receive yellow cards in those games, ryan?! he he

ryan, the comedian...he makes me laugh harder than anyone else. i love family holiday get-to-gethers because i get such a good ab workout, laughing. he does the best creepy old man from 'family guy' impression (even though it grosses me out every time). i think i have a gazillion pictures of him and each one of them he's making a different face that looks like it belongs in a cartoon strip. i know i can count on him to cheer me up on a bad day.

ryan, the [future] best uncle ever...kids love him and are drawn to his silliness and immaturity (i mean that in only the nicest way, over course). he knows how to come down to their levels and connect with them. they flock to him and talk him into wrestling and playing with them.

ryan, the baby brother...not so baby anymore. he's become such a thoughtful and caring brother and i am so thankful everyday how close we've become. i look forward to the visits and long for them in between. he's become more of a big brother to me, harassing luke and making sure no one messes with me. he and jason are my best friends. pretty much unheard of..

ryan, the soon-to-be military officer. like jason, you never cease to amaze me. i am so proud of you. i'm proud of all your achievements in school and sports. i'm proud of your leadership in rotc and how far you've come from being a little freckle-faced pistol of a kid. i'm proud that you'll be serving our country. i'm proud that you've found a woman who's helped you grow and keeps you grounded. i'm proud of all your accomplishments and the accomplishments you'll attain in the future. you're going places, bean, and i'm excited to be a part of it. i'm proud of the kid brother you were and the "big" brother you are now. thanks for being such an important and loving part of my life.

i love you..

happy 22...