Happy Birthday Kirsten. . . you are forever missed.

Happy 30th Birthday Kirsten!! That's what I should be saying today, but sadly she has been gone for close to four years already. I miss her till my heart hurts, comforted in my beliefs, knowing she is feeling better and is at peace. Of course, this was a big birthday and seeing as my mom also passed less than a year ago, I can't help but be so sad. I went to her son's school today for Thanksgiving dinner, and I am so thankful she had him - what a reminder of her everyday. He laughs just like her and has the same giving heart. I'm gonna post pictures as we grew up, to remember her through the years, because today is a celebration of her life.

Born November 14, 1982. I was so excited to get a little sister, and look at my mom, so excited to have another girl! When Kirsten was six months old she developed terrible asthma, made worse by having excema from head to toe. From so little she had so many allergies and health issues to deal with, I can't say I would have dealt with it any better then she did, she was STRONG.

Of course we had the posed pictures with the same dresses, I kept telling my mom we weren't twins why do we have to wear the same things. I love the lower picture how my mom is looking at Kirsten.

We have always had lots of cousins and I love her in that cute little outfit!

Growing up and having fun, the second picture is Kira with our little brother Alexander!! What a surprise when he showed up!

Kirsten graduated high school and I graduated college the same year, so we had combined parties. The last one is her with my mom after her first round with breast cancer, which she defeated and it didn't return for 12 wonderful years.

After a few years, Elijah was born. Kirsten's pride and joy, she was so proud of him and loved him more than anything!!

Then Madison Grace was born, her second child. My sister became the bravest, most selfless person I have ever seen. Madison was 6 weeks early and they did an emergency c-section on my sister, the baby went 10 mins without oxygen to her brain. Madison and my sister were barely alive. Kirsten had 3 surgeries after and they didn't know if she would survive the last one, due to the stress and all her other health problems, on top of that Madison would always be a child with special needs. Kirsten knew she wasn't able to properly care for her so she did the hardest thing ever and gave her up for adoption, to a couple that were both nurses and could give her the care she knew she needed. How she found the courage I will never know. I'm still so proud of her for putting that childs needs above her own. Madison is 6 now and has more ability then they ever thought she would have, communicating through blinking and and kicking her legs and moving her arms.

This last one is the last picture taken of her, with my daughter Amelia. She passed away when Amelia was 3 and half weeks old. The only picture I will ever have with my daughter. Kirsten passed away on January 24, 2009, my mom passed away on January 22, 2012 almost exactly 3 years later. I can only say that I'm glad she gets to share this birthday with my mom! Kirsten, I love you and will always miss you. I'm glad you are free from pain and at peace. I will love and take care of Elijah always! and that is my sister, basically.