Byb Bye Ippy

My sister, Kipling, has lived with us for the past three months and this week she leaves to return to New York City where she is a senior at Columbia University. Our time with her has gone by too fast and we will all be saddened to see her go.

For me, it was a pleasure just to spend time with my sister. When i left for college, she was only 8yrs old and I only knew her as my little sister. After 3-months, she is now more friend than sibling. Who knew that we had the same taste in "great music", loved trashy history channel specials about aliens and ancient Egyptians and shared a passion for mocking people?

For Crystal, Kipling was always there in whatever way was most needed. From providing a break from Joseph's no-so-controlled chaos to simply being a friendly face on a rainy day, she always seemed to know just where to help.

As for Joseph, Kipling is his "Ippy"...the person that takes him on walks every night, the person that allows him to jump on her bed even at the most ungodly of hours, the person that gives him snacks (i.e. - teddy grahams) for breakfast and the person who introduced him to milk shakes. In other words - the coolest, most awesome person in the world. While we will all miss Kipling, I have no doubt Joseph will miss his special friend the most.

Kipling, you have become a part of our family in every sense of the world. Our home is now your home. You will always have a warm bed, big smiles and one crazy little guy waiting for you. We hope you return very soon.