Sissy, what are your favorite sports?

My favorite sports are cheerleading and basketball.

I love cheerleading because mommy did it when she was in high school. She also coached when Bruster was little, and when she was pregnant with you. I guess you could say that cheerleading is in our blood and I just can't resist it. I love being able to pump up a crowd by shouting out cheers and I love the reaction that I get from being a cheerleader. It's not just the hype, though. I can't explain why I love the heck out of it. I just do.

I love basketball because daddy did it in high school. He always taught me when I was growing up and he nurtured what little skill I did, and still do, have. I work hard and it helps me stay healthy, so I think that's definitely a bonus.

Sissy, what's the hardest part about high school?

I think the hardest part about high school for anyone is finding somewhere to fit in. I, personally, don't really fit into any group. I'm more of a straggler and I try to be nice to everyone. I've always been taught that it's better to be friends with everyone, and to be nice to everyone, instead of fitting in with one group and looking down on others.

I want you to remember that high school is only four short years of your life. There will be more afterwards just like there was more before. I don't want you to fret about who you are or what you're going to be because those are decisions that can be made later. If I was to give you any advice on high school, I would tell you to be yourself and be nice to everyone.

Sissy, how do you deal with crushes?

I think that I would be the WRONG person to ask about this topic. I honestly don't deal with crushes. I let them fester and grow until I can't stand it anymore, and then I find fault with the person whom I have a crush on. The crush will quickly fade until several months, or even years, later when it begins to rekindle and the vicious cycle begins all over again.

If you wanted advice about crushes, I'd probably make you rent a book from the library. That's how inept I am.

Sissy, what's one of your saddest memories?

One of my saddest memories involved the death of my classmate, Dylan. He died my sophomore year of high school in a car accident. He was driving down a dirt road outside of town where new gravel had recently been laid without his seat belt when he received a text message. He picked up his phone to text and crashed. There was nobody for quite a ways around because it was during lunch time in the middle of the day. It ended up that our football coach found him and his truck.

Dylan didn't die right away. He held on for a little while until he finally died and went to heaven. We were all completely devastated. I remember when I first found out, my friend Kaden told me that he had died and I was in utter shock. I just couldn't believe that someone my age had died. People my age weren't supposed to die, even if it was a freak accident like Dylan's.

I remember going to Dylan's funeral. It was open-casket and looking at Dylan's lifeless body lying there in that coffin in his football jersey and jeans, it was like you were watching him sleep on the floor of our history teacher's room on a game day. It was completely unreal. As we entered the church, he was the first thing you saw, but then throughout the room were tables set up to show who Dylan really was. I just remember learning a lot about Dylan that I didn't know. I always thought Dylan was a shallow kid at my school that was one of the popular boys that didn't really pay attention to me because I was beneath him. What I found out is that he's almost exactly like bubba. He was athletic and good at every sport imaginable.

Reading the letter to Dylan from his family on the back of the funeral program was enough to make me tear up because it was like I was reading a letter written from me to Bruster, a letter that was never to be read by the dead boy in the casket in the entrance of the church. When the service began, I was able to hold on for a little bit while we sang the opening hymn. But as soon as they brought Dylan's casket in, followed by his family, I fell apart. I remember watching his mom come into the sanctuary, practically being carried by his family members because she was completely broken. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was like watching a woman falling apart at the seams. I can't even describe how awful I felt when I watched her being torn apart like that. I bawled and bawled throughout the service, unable to stop my tears from flowing, even though I never knew Dylan that well.

I'll never forget you Dylan.

Dylan Soukup, 2010

Sissy, what's your favorite band?

I don't have one single favorite band. My music preference actually depends on my attitude and my mood that particular day. If I'm in a grumpier mood, or feeling tough, I like to listen to Stone Temple Pilots because there is just something about how raw the singer's voice is that drags my tough persona out. When I'm feeling in pop-y moods, I like to listen to something soft like Rihanna or Justin Bieber because their songs are usually shallow songs about senseless sex (Rihanna) or corny little love (Justin Bieber). When I feel like dancing my butt off with you and being all goofy, we listen to Cody Simpson because he's a Justin Bieber knock-off that's just so much fun to jump around to.

Music is really an expression of the soul, or that's at least what I've always felt. Music can be affected by mood and mood affects music. Since I am a very moody person and feel things deeper than other people (or at least this is what I've come to notice), it's easier for me to notice this than a normal person would. I think you will be the same way because of how I've noticed you conduct yourself in these last six, almost seven, years.

Sissy, what's your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. 

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A lot of people think that Christmas is my favorite holiday because I get presents and lots of new stuff. That actually isn't why I love Christmas at all. I love Christmas because it's a time when everybody feels happier and more giving towards one another.

It's a time when the popular girls at my school pick on everybody less, and the jocks spend less time worrying about every minute detail of the girls they love to scrutinize. It's a time when families come together to share meals and laugh about old memories, passing down stories to the next generation of children. It's a time to watch your little face brighten up as I hand you your Christmas gift and you look at me like you're so grateful to me.

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Christmas is about Christmas lights, candy canes, snow, ice cold weather, basketball, parties, laughter, games, the smell of food, the smell of cookies... Christmas is about everything and everyone coming together in perfect harmony.

Sissy, tell me about your closest friend during childhood?

My closest friend during my childhood was a girl named Brittany Jo Clancy. She and I went to daycare together when mommy was working at a law firm in the city and daddy was working as a traveling oil driller. She and I did EVERYTHING together. We played together, we talked together, we laughed together, and we ate together. There was never a time during the day that we were separated because we were that good of friends.

Sadly, Brittany and I have lost touch over the years because we grew up and began school. She lives in the city still and we live in the small town, therefore we go to different schools. Someday I hope to be able to see her again because it'd be fun to share old memories and laugh at who we were when we were kids.

I hope that you find friends that are half as good as Brittany was to me when I was little.

Sissy, tell me about our trip to Vegas?

When you were little, mom and dad signed up for a free trip to Las Vegas that was being offered by a time share company. They left to go on a 3-day, 2-night trip to Vegas and left us in the care of our aunt Cookie. Little did we, or mom, know that dad had secretly teamed up with aunt Cookie (and uncle Arlie) to fly us out to Vegas so that we could surprise mommy.

The night that we arrived in Vegas, we couldn't go see mommy because we wanted her to be surprised. We spent that night with aunt Cookie and were avoiding mom at all costs. Dad was out on the strip keeping her busy with other entertainments.

The next morning, we woke up and went downstairs to breakfast where we met daddy. Daddy gave aunt Cookie instructions on where we were to meet and at what time, then left to gather mommy up. He had managed to maintain that they were getting ready to check out and even had her pack up their stuff! At the last second, he convinced her that he wanted to go out and look around because they hadn't really gotten a chance to look at all of the things in their hotel, Circus Circus.

Mommy agreed and they walked downstairs to the lobby and down to the wedding chapel. Little did mommy know that there, waiting for her to walk around the corner, were her three children and their aunt and uncle. She was so happy to see us, and so surprised! Then daddy told her what he had actually done: secretly come to the wedding chapel and planned for them to renew their wedding vows with us and aunt Cookie and uncle Arlie there to watch.

The ceremony was the most beautiful thing I've ever been to. The pastor that performed the service was very nice, and very funny. I think the thing that made the ceremony the most heart-touching though, was when mommy and daddy were saying their vows and began to shed tears of elation. They were so happy to be together and to have shared the years that they'd shared together. Mom said afterward that she and dad cried, and that their vow renewal was more emotional than their marriage ceremony, because of all the memories they had together and all the things they'd shared together over the years. She said that it was the most wonderful trip she'd ever taken. And it was definitely memorable.

Sissy, what are 3 rules that you live by?

The three most important rules that I live by are:

1. Never regret anything because at one point, it was exactly what you wanted. I've actually already used this quote before because it means that much to me. I can't stress how much I want to live my life without regrets. I've seen so many people make HUGE mistakes in their life and I don't want to be one of those people. I don't want you to be one of those people either. I want you, and myself, to make good choices in our lives and never to regret the things that we do.

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2. If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't say it behind their back. I have a problem with people that talk behind others' backs. Before I talk about someone, I always find myself saying, "Would I say this to that person?" If the answer is yes, it's okay to say. If the answer is no, it's time to let the mental filter kick in.

3. Don't do anything halfway. Work your hardest at whatever it is you're doing because 99% of the time, to do the things that you love, you have to do the things that you hate. If you work hard to do the things that you hate, you will have more time to do the things that you love and you will appreciate those things more.

Sissy, who is your best friend?

Megan and I at our
high school play

I think at this point, it's safe to say that I don't have a best friend. I have a lot of really good friends, but no best friend. Mom is one of my really good friends. For some reason, mom and I have always had a really good relationship and it's easy for me to talk to her, and her to I. Megan is another of my really good friends. You'll probably remember Megan when you read this. Megan was the one who always helped you clean up your room because you could sweet talk her into it.

Megan and I became friends our sophomore year of high school. We had journalism together our freshman year, after she came here from Marquette, but she was good friends with another girl whom I didn't really like. Our sophomore year, the girl that Megan was good friends with dropped out of journalism and Megan and I started hanging out. Seventh hour journalism, sophomore year. It was the birthplace of our friendship. We are like fire and ice. Megan is the good to my bad, and I am the good to her bad.

My other friend Liz

My other really good friend is Liz. Liz and I have been friends for a long time. I don't exactly remember how the story goes, but our friendship was born one day during recess in Mrs. Lindholm's kindergarten class. We've been on-again, off-again friends ever since then. Liz and I are so much alike that there are bound to be times where we aren't going to get along. The fights that we have are completely stupid, but they're enough to cause us not to talk for months at a time. Somehow, we always seem to find our way back to each other.

There are a number of other really good friends, but these are the three most prominent. I keep these people the closest to my heart because they mean everything to me. They are the people that hold my secrets and understand me the best. No matter how many fights we have, we'd never betray one another's trust because we all share the sacred bond of friendship. I only hope that you can be as lucky as I have been to find such good friends.

Sissy, what are the family nicknames?

For starters, daddy always gives the people he loves nicknames. It's just what he does best. Grandpa terry always did this, too. So below, I'll explain what our nicknames are and why they are what they are.

Daddy always used to call me Flabbajeana, or Spaghetti Flab. I'm not really sure why he called me this. I think it was because it was just funny. Grandpa Terry always called me Pokey because I was born almost an entire week later than my due date. I was schedule to be born on the 11th of November and was instead born on the 17th. He called me Pokey puppy, and eventually just shortened it to Pokey.

Bruster's nickname was always Francois (pronounced Fran-swah). Daddy just liked the way that Francois rolled off his tongue. Mommy used to tease daddy that if he didn't start using Bruster's name, she was going to have to legally change it to Francois. Eventually, daddy stopped calling Bruster Francois and adopted mom's nickname, Bubba. We always call Bruster Bubba now. Grandpa Terry's nickname for him was Tank because when he was born, he weighed 9 lbs, 3 oz. and was built like a tank.

You were always called Flumpy Buns, or Flump for short. You got your nickname from your adorable baby buns. When we were getting ready for another one of your baths, dad was holding you on his forearm and your butt was just hanging off the edge. He said that you had some "flumpy baby buns." Thus the nickname was born. Grandpa Terry never got around to giving you a nickname. He just kind of adopted the nickname Flump, too. He thought it suited you well.

Your cousin Dariann was given the nickname Chewy by Grandpa Terry. When we were little, we always knew when Grandpa Terry was in the kitchen because we'd hear him say, "Where's Pokey and Chewy?" We were never called "Abbey and Dariann". It was always "Pokey and Chewy".

Beyond those few, I can't remember what the other family nicknames were. Dariann's sisters Katelyn and Taygen both had nicknames, too, but they seem to be escaping my memory right now. Of course, daddy only ever nicknamed us because we were the only ones that were precious enough to receive a nickname. You'll never escape yours. Trust me on that one.

Sissy, what's one thing that you regret?

I don't regret anything. I try to keep this phrase in mind: "Never regret anything because at one time, it was exactly what you wanted." I don't regret the things that I've done wrong in my life because they are what made me who I am; they were what I wanted. Without mistakes, we wouldn't learn lessons. That's why I will always encourage you to make mistakes so that you may learn from them. It won't be easy. Nobody ever promised that it would be. But maybe one day, when you look back and think about all the things you've said and done, you'll live by the same phrase.

Sissy, what are some of the funniest things I've said or done?

You are what I like to call a goober. You're a nerdball to the extreme! If I'm ever in a bad mood, you are always able to bring me up because of how much of a dork you are. You're just like me.

One particular morning, we'd been sleeping in the big recliner because you were afraid of the dark and when we woke up, you were complaining about having a big wedgie. You said, "Stinkin' underwear goin' up my butt crack!" Just the way you said 'butt crack' was enough to make me bust a gut! I even recorded it so that one day, you could laugh at it, too.

Sissy, am I a good cheerleader?

You are the best cheerleader! When you hit a high 'V', you make me smile because your elbows hyperextend and your fists are turned the wrong way. When you jump, you make me laugh because your toes aren't quite pointed and you don't get very high off the ground, but it's still fantastic. When you smile as you holler out a cheer, you make me proud to be your cheerleading coach because I know how hard you work to remember those cheers. When you laugh and giggle with your cheer friends, you make my heart burst with pride because you understand the importance of being a cheerleader: pumping up the crowd, making friends, and having a lot of fun.

You're the most wonderful cheerleader of all time!

Sissy, tell me about bubba...

Your brother, Bruster, was born in June of 2001. I was six and a half years old and the only thing I can remember is how excited I was to have a new sibling until I found out how much he cried and how much work babies were for mom and dad.

My favorite thing to do with Bruster was talk to him because when he was getting his first bath, dad told me that Bruster could recognize my voice after Bruster turned and looked at me when I was talking.

I remember how swollen and sore mom was after her surgery (a c-section). She always gets infections after any type of sickness or surgery. This time, she got an infection in the incision they had made just below her belly. I remember how bad she hurt for a long time.

Bruster was a colic-y baby. Mom had to be put on a special diet while she was breastfeeding him because he was allergic to almost everything! He was also very fussy because of his colic. The only thing that would make him happy was to be in his swing. Most of his life was spent there.

Dirt was the best thing in the world when Bruster started to become mobile. He would stick almost anything in his mouth, but dirt was his favorite. There was almost never a time when he wouldn't have dirt caked around his mouth and underneath his fingernails. I remember that he was always a very messy kid.

We all loved Bruster very much and not only because of his fat rolls. He looked like the Michelin tire man because of how many fat rolls were on his arms and legs. During the first months of his life, it was very hot outside and when he would sweat, it would get stuck in his fat rolls. Bruster had really bad rashes not only from his diaper, but from his skin rubbing together in the sweltering heat. I always thought it was hilarious.

Bruster has always been a very athletic boy. Give your brother a ball and he can find a way to be the best at that sport. He plays basketball, soccer, baseball, and football. One day, he'll go to college because of how good he is. He may even go on to the pros. We are all crossing our fingers that he'll be something great one day.

Sissy, tell me about your first memory...

My first memory was of my grandma Edna. She was over at the house babysitting me while mom and dad were out. We played dolls together. She was the grandma, naturally, and I was the baby's mom. At one point, I was pretending to swing my baby high up in the air to make it laugh and dropped her on her head. I began to pretend that the baby was wailing, screaming with pain and anguish. Grandma immediately knew what to do: she walked to the kitchen and grabbed a band-aid, then held it out to me and asked, "Would this make baby feel better?"

I replied, "Yes!"

Baby, grandma, and I played together all day long. A few years later, after grandma died, I decided baby was healed and it was time for the band-aid to come off. The baby sported a black ring around the area where the band-aid used to be until it came time for someone else to enjoy baby. She was given away to the local TACOL and I continued to live with this as just a memory.

Sissy, Tell Me About...

For my 17th birthday, I received the most amazing gift that I would have never imagined getting: a gift from my Great Grandma Edna who'd died when I was three years old. It was a book of daily questions about her memories that I could read. It occurred to me that, unless I started something, my sister would forever be in the dark to my memories if I forgot about them. Therefore, I decided to do something like what my grandma did for me and start a daily blog about the memories that I have with some of the same questions that were in the book so she would have something to remember me by.

Keep looking for daily memories and add some of your own so that one day, when we're all grown up, they'll have something from us.