My Brother's Keeper -- Austin

Austin is my brother.To understand Austin, you have to know just a little bit more about me. My parents divorced when I was 12 and my dad remarried shortly there after. The first time I met Brenda I knew that my dad was going to marry her and I was happy about it because I liked her. But, there was also a part of me that felt like Brenda was a threat to my very precious "only girl" status, something my mom never challenged because she was Mom. So, there were times that I was very hard on Brenda. When they announced that they were expecting, my first response was "You do know that happened right?" Then I informed Brenda, "If this baby is a girl I am moving out." Even though the decision had already been made, she prayed every day that the baby would be a boy. She found out that the baby was a boy, but also found out that she was due on Monte's birthday. He informed her, "If this baby is born on my birthday I am moving out." From then on out she prayed every day that she would not deliver on Monte's birthday. She was in the clear by one day. Austin, as he was to be named, was playing his first big show, "Austin's Grand Entrance", to a pretty hostile crowd.The first time I held that precious boy my heart broke wide open. That hard crusty shell broke free and he took up permanent residence just like the rest of my brothers. He was so cute and such a sweet boy. It was at that moment that I came to dislike distinctions; step, half, in-law. Because he gave new meaning to family. If you are family in my heart you are family no matter what. The only time I even use the term half-brother is if I am explaining that we don't biologically have the same mother. Because we do share a mother, Brenda.Austin has had an interesting life, being younger than his next closest sibling by 12 years and 20 years from his oldest sibling. He has been around adults all his life, which in turn has made him the youngest adult in his middle school. But not to fear he is still a teenager at heart. Just like any other teenager he is spunky and punky and sometimes gets on your nerves, but I love it. Being the youngest also afforded Austin some privileges that we couldn't afford when the other 5 were living at home, like swim team, and piano lessons, and voice lessons... not that I'm jealous or anything. Austin started swimming several years back, we are all pretty sure that kid has some fish genes in there somewhere. He improved so quickly and was soon accepted to the prestigious Longhorn Aquatics where several of the 2008 Olympians trained. He eventually got burned out because he was swimming upwards of 20+ hours a week. But, I have no doubt he will some day return to the pool... it's those fish genes.Austin, like the rest of the boys is musical on top of being a super athlete. I think he has been taking piano lessons for 6 or so years. He loves jazz piano and playing hymns, but he is getting in to other types of music too. He is multi talented, singing and acting as well. He recently starred as Willy Wonka in his school's musical production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Last year he was in the production of Savior of the World put on by our LDS stake in Austin. He is really talented, but he works at his talents. He was learning the lyrics for his part over Christmas when we were there. He would sit at the table for hours with his headphones on and just sing and sing and sing. He also practices piano every day before and after school. He doesn't always practice what he is supposed to be practicing, but he plays every day and never lets his fingers grow idle.My dad retired a few years ago allowing him the pleasure of being a stay at home dad with Austin. They are quite a pair. There isn't anything Austin won't help my dad with and there isn't anything my dad won't do for Austin. It makes me all warm and mushy to see them together. But don't be fooled, that kid is a momma's boy just like all good boys are.