happy birthday, bri!

today is our sister-in-law's birthday (bri)...& this is a late post, but that has nothing to do with an inability to write a post about her. b/c i have a lot of respect for this woman, folks.

first--she can sell things! like insurance & jewelry. (i couldn't sell anything so this talent/gift is a awing to me!). when her & cliff moved to st. thomas for a few years she was able to work in a jewelry store, learning it all with each day.

second--she is fearless. she signs up for things like 'boot camp on lake erie' & moving to st. thomas after college & triathlons (or was it a bi-athlon?)...so fearless in the face of physical challenges, mental (getting a 2nd degree!), & emotional. i have found it easy to be around bri b/c of this fearless open nature that she has... it's easy--& good--to get to know her b/c she is honest & thoughtful & especially witty. yes, she's one of the most fearless women i've met (especially someone my age). i love that i have years & years to hang out with her, getting to know her better.

third--she is an amazing aunt (although, she doesn't go by 'aunt', lol). this picture below was taken by adeline last year & just shows how she connects with our girls. adeline loves her 'beee', as she calls her, & her kittens (yea yea, 'ciff' too *smile*)

plus she bought addy her favorite shirt *EVER* so that has to stand for something, right? (below is the shirt & a fav outfit i might add)

fourth, she likes old people. okay, not just likes but loves them, getting to know them, understanding them & their stage in life, & past experiences. in my opinion, if a person likes the most elderly folks with a passion, then that person is *golden*...to understand history & ourselves & most of what goes on in the world, we must rely on the people who came before us for wisdom & all that good stuff. plus, wes' grandma gerbick actually remembers her name (as opposed to me. she will ask bri who i am sometimes, lol. no hurt feelings, i find it endearing) so you know if grandma gerbick remembers her name, bri is a pretty solid & classy gerbick family member (uh, i guess what does that say about me? gasp!? i live much further away, right?)

fifth, she isn't afraid to indulge in chocolate. & sixth, she can drive with me as co-pilot shouting out directions last minute (doi! you're supposed to be 2 lanes over, sorry!).

here we are at the zoo last winter (*see* she will go to the zoo in the freakin cold! just b/c she's hanging with us!).

really, i see bri as someone with a soft, kind, & open heart. she has wisdom beyond her years & believes in herself more than most. bri has always been there with a funny remark or thought when i need it the most, so thanks bri.

we're hoping you two thoroughly enjoyed yourselves in las vegas last weekend!

happy birthday!