Happy Birthday Critter!

Happy 20th Birthday

to my little sister

CRITTER!

...20 Reasons I Love Critter...

1. She has this weird head bob that she does and it makes me crazy! I laugh and scream for her to stop, it's so hard to explain, but it's one of the most obnoxious things in the world and I think it's absolutely hilarious.

2. She is very opinionated. This used to drive me crazy when we were younger, but it has turned into a quality I adore.

3. She doesn't sugarcoat anything. This can sometimes be brutal, but I appreciate her honesty. If any of you know her, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

4. She knows more about fashion than anyone else I know. She knows all the rules of what to wear when and where. She finds creative ways to mix and match, things I would have never thought of.

5. She is famous for the grossest things. Loud disgusting farts & huge boogers, clogging the toilet! I'm not kidding, I've seen her participate in more than one burping contest...and the last two don't need to be explained, but you know what I'm talking about!

6. She is a leader. So many people are followers, especially during their teens. The only reason I did anything in high school was due to Courtney being the planner. But Critter has always done her own thing, and if she doesn't want to do something, she won't. I have to admit, I envy this quality of hers.

7. She has an ability to turn junk into art. I've seen her take old window panes and old chairs and turn them into something you wish you had at your own house. She is very crafty.

8. What the heck is with her weight? A few years ago I tried telling her that all the greasy hamburgers she was eating would catch up to her one day. Well, 5 years and one baby later, she is still as skinny as can be!

9. She will dance with me whenever. We used to swing dance in the middle of our family room all the time. I still make her do it every once in awhile. She will get up at my dad's gig and twist around with me, we may both look like fools, but it's fun.

10. She is feisty!

11. She is very close to our mom. Mom's love all their children, but Critter and Annette have such a great connection. She is the youngest, so spent a lot of time with my mom when everyone was out of the house (except David...ha ha). I think it's so cool how they know everything about each other.

12. She has always been a little homemaker. She has the ability to take care of things like a mom would...even before she became a mom.

13. She is strong. Life has thrown things her way that I myself wouldn't be able to handle and she is still alive and well.

14. She has ALWAYS been supportive of me. I've called her during times of trial, and she talks me through things and gives me great advice. She gets excited about the smallest things with me. When I get nervous about life, she finds the right thing to say to make me feel like I'm the greatest person alive.

15. She stays positive through all of life's challenges. Whether it be surprise pregnancy, out of work, difficult coworkers, crazy parents, boyfriend issues, trying to gain weight (yes, she has complained before about trying to gain weight and not being able to!) or whatever it may be, she finds a way to deal with them and becomes stronger through each experience.

16. She is such a wonderful mother. I see her with Ellory and it amazes me every time. She is selfless when it comes to her child. She would do anything for her, and knows exactly what to do to make her smile. She interacts with her like our mom used to with us when we were little, you can definitely see their connection. I love it.

17. She can quote The Office with me.

18. This one is a bit of a secret...so I'm just going to say...The Wake Up Game. Ha ha.

19. When I'm with her we laugh all the time. There are small phrases that we say that will send us into laughing fits. "Annette laughs like a hyena" is a good one to get it started...mom I hope that makes you laugh too!

20. She's my sister and one of my best friends. It's funny how you fight so much with your siblings when you are growing up, but they are always there for you, they are always your friend, and you know you can count on them. Yes, we've had our troubles, and at times she still drives me absolutely crazy (come on, she's my little sister) but she is an amazing person and I'm proud of the person she is turning into. Critter, I love you and I am proud of who you are. Have a wonderful birthday, I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. Since your body can handle it, eat an extra piece of cake for me!Love, Muffin