This past Thursday evening, my brother Joe rode into town with my cousin Julie. Julie is staying in Texas permanently as a full-time live-in nanny for one of my piano student families– Joe was just visiting and serving as company for Julie’s 22 hr. drive.
All in all, it was a very fun weekend with the two of them. We spent Thursday night pigging out at the Buca da Beppos 10 min. from our house, then buying icecream on the way home. On Friday, Jesse went to work and the “J’s” and I got coffee at our favorite little place (if you’ve visited, you know what I am referring to– I think we’ve taken everyone there!), then headed to Southlake so that Julie could nail down some contract specifics with her new family/employers.
Once done in Southlake, we ate lunch at Panda Express, sold some clothes to Plato’s Closet (Julie’s got enough Abercrombie and Forever 21 to clothe a small country), and then chilled in the pool at home. For dinner, all 4 of us went to downtown Dallas to eat at my FAVORITE Thai food restaurant, the Thai Lotus.
Saturday was Joe’s last day, so I really wanted to make the most of it. I had coupons for IHOP, so Jesse, Joe and I had a huge breakfast there, then went to our favorite park to play baseball and walk Claire. Sadly, Jesse had to work for a few hours that afternoon, so I hung out with Joe in the fitness center and then took him to the airport.
Julie decided to drive us, seeing as she’s trying to get her bearings in her “new home”. She even drove me to pick up some more re-usable diapers that I was buying from a lady on Craigslist. I think I officially have enough for my “system” now, and while $150 total for it all seems like a lot, it’s really minimal seeing as the avg. family spends $2000/kid on disposable diapers. Texas also does not have a problem with rainfall (in comparison, we got more SNOW this past year than CA got in rain!), so it’s economical as well as cheaper.
Wow, see how easy I digress into talking about “mommy” stuff?
Tonight was Julie’s move in day with her new “family”, so I drove over to help her organize her closet in her new room. She has her own TV, king bed, and bathroom. The family is not only paying her well in addition to room and board, but they are also adding her on to their gym membership! Already she’s getting to take the kids to Sea World on Tuesday– such a fun job 🙂
Back to Joe, I was very glad that he got to come out and visit for a few days. He leaves for Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA (his other choices were Syracuse University and Boston College, but Gonzaga offered him the most $ plus an ROTC scholarship) in just a few days, and I know that he will have changed a ton by Thanksgiving when I see him again. I am very proud of how far he’s come and how much he’s done during his time in High School. Apparently, I gave him an aggressive piece of advice the summer before his freshman year– I said that he should set his eyes on the future, and not distract himself with any activity that doesn’t further his eventual college career.
Sounds pretty idealistic in some ways, very Spartan in others, but Joe managed to make it work! He joined the Student Council his Sophomore year, was elected President for his Junior and Senior years, and chose one sport to focus his energy on (instead of doing 3-4 with mixed success, like I did). He did decide to join the baseball team his last semester of his Senior year, which was a funny and unexpected move, but even after not having played for 7 years, he still made 2nd team All League! He was Salutorian with a 4.0+ GPA, while also passing multiple AP exams and holding down a part time job 3 out of 4 years in High School!
I’m not just proud of his scholastic-related accomplishments. I also like that when I sit down to talk to him about important things, it’s apparent that he’s got his head in the right place. He always engages on a deep and personal level, and his observations make it clear that he hasn’t been skating through life focused on himself, but has instead been watching those around him thoughtfully, trying to find his place in the bigger picture. It’s not at ALL the scope you’d expect from a kid who won’t even turn 18 until a few months into his freshman year of college!
Last but not least, I like how personable the guy is. Even as a baby, Joe had a type of gravitas– he was “that” baby, the one that everyone talks about and wants to hold. He’s kept the same small circle of friends all throughout high school, while still managing to be a leader in Youth Group and reach out to others around him. He’s also in a band! He and the friends that he occasionally leads worship with rented out a hall and played a concert for 20-30 people a few weeks ago! My mother went to support him, not expecting much, and called me saying, “Kelly, he was the lead singer! And he’s actually pretty good! I didn’t even know he could sing!” I guess we’d all heard his Bon Jovi spin-offs and Flight of the Conchords-esque parodies around the house, never stopping to realize that he may have an actual talent…?!
Anyways, here’s a shout out to my youngest brother, Joseph Lawrence, who I am extremely proud of.
Related postsYummmmmm |
Spring Break in California |
Sigh… |
Birthday $…mostly spent! |
morningglory says
You’ve written some really special things about Joe. What a loving and thoughtful sister you are!