~~Happy Birthday Baby~~

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. We think of you in silence, we often speak your name. Now all we have is memories, and your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake, with which we'll never part. God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.




Sweetest Zariah,

Today is your 2nd birthday and the second one we don't get to spend with you. I know you would be a super big sister, helping your little brother learn how to walk and playing with him. I know you met him when you went to Heaven before he came, but I would rather you be here with him now, as does everyone else.


I bet you would be talking up a storm- probably impossible to shut up just like your mommy, but I would give anything to hear your sweet voice even one time.

Your beautiful brown eyes that told a story and showed all the love you had for us will always be in my mind and your sweet baby smell always alive in my senses.

I often wonder what you would be like. What you would have grown up to be and what you would have looked like. Would it have been more like mommy or daddy?

Would you have had the nappy hair we always joked about or would it have been softer and straighter like Zeke's? Which ever it would have been, I would have loved sitting with you and fixing your hair to make it beautiful.

I know you watch over us with gramma and grampa, and I know you see how much we miss you. But what you can't see is how much we still love you and want to make sure you stay in the hearts of our family.

Dance and be happy today sweetheart. Enjoy your birthday and all the ones to come and know that we are here on earth celebrating with you.
We love you Z.

~~Happy Birthday Amberly!~~

Well Princess, you made it to 7 despite me doubting either of us would make it this far. From your tiny little bird beak nose to your crooked funny little toe, I love you more than I could ever tell you.

March of 2005 when you came to live with us you were a very tiny and scared little girl with a shell around her for protection. Do you remember standing in my room at night and waking me up just to make sure I wasn't going to leave you alone? You were so afraid you would wake up and be alone in the house with Libby that you hardly ever slept. I guess we are through with that now because I can't get you up most mornings and you no longer hide behind that shell because you know we are here to protect you and make sure you are never hurt again.

You also only ate cereal, crackers, mac & cheese and candy because that is what you were told that kids eat. It has been a long road, but I am so proud of you for trying new things and you even eat vegetables! That is awesome for this family.
You are still learning that you don't have to be the momma to Libby that you were before and I know it is hard for you to give some of that control up, but you are doing so well and you are a great big sister!

You know things that most 7 year old don't ever need to know, but instead of letting that hurt you, you strive each day to be better in everything you do. You are a super kid and I love being around you.
1 year and 67 days ago you became my forever daughter and I cannot imagine my life without you and your beautiful smile in it. Your beautiful and talented in so many different things and I am so glad you get the chance to shine in all of them.
So keep writing songs, playing ball and reaching for the stars because you can achieve anything you want to. You are smart, funny, caring and just that little bit of tom boy in you that makes you who you are.

We love you tons and hope you have a wonderful 7 year old year.

~~Happy Birthday To My Baby Girl~~

October 13, 1985 was a Sunday. I had a scheduled C-section for the following Wednesday, but Jaycee showed her impatience and kicked enough to get my labor going early. It was a hint of things to come. At 13:13 on that 13th of October the child I thought would forever be my youngest child was born. She weighed in at 7 pounds 13 ounces and then to top it off we were put into room 13 on the Maternity floor. People teased me that saying that it was a bad omen with all the 13's. Not so!! This child has been a joy from the beginning and 13 has become one of my favorite numbers.

She was born with hardly any hair, but what she did have was dark. My first 2 had white blond hair. She had an olive complexion that I can only guess where it came from because I am so white I could scare a ghost. She also had the brightest blue eyes and loooong eyelashes.

When her hair started coming in it was so curly that with her dark skin people thought she was a mixed race baby. We fought for years over that hair, she hated getting it combed because it was so curly and snarled so easily. I on the other hand, wanted it to be long and beautiful. Eventually I won the argument and she still has very long, very curly beautiful hair.

She was and is a daddy's girl, actually she was his little hunting partner, riding buddy and fishing pal until she woke up one day with boobs and realized she is a girl. And although that was a sad day for him, I was so proud of the way she was growing up into a beautiful young woman.

She was always the peace maker between her brother and sister. Hated when anyone was upset and would do anything to make them smile again. She was always a little show off and liked to sing and dance for anyone who was willing to watch. She is also the most stubborn, opinionated child I ever knew and at times we had a war of the wills and more often than not she is the one who stuck to her guns the longest. Even when she got her way though, she could make me feel like it was all my idea and I had gotten my way. Crafty little thing that she was~LOL. She also taught me that even when I am a screaming wreck that cannot quite get out what I am trying to say, I am teaching her to be a good person, a lovely young lady as she can still find good in the situation and tells me often. She loves unconditionally, lives life in a whirlwind and laughs at the hurdles thrown at her, chosing to jump right over them and have a positive attitude and a happy day!

During her school years she was the girl who everyone liked. She was friends with everyone from her fellow cheerleaders to the handicapped kids she tutored. Never afraid to stand up for the underdog or invite a not so "in crowd" girl to join the party and make them feel welcome. She is not someone who judges nor ridicules others and she has got a sense of humor that doesn't stop, but never uses it to poke fun of anyone or hurt anyone's feelings~~ well maybe with the exception of her siblings.
She is always the life of the party and still to this day makes sure everyone is included and happy before she starts having a good time.

She was married to her best friend a few years ago and she makes the cutest little wife and I can't wait until she is a mommy. She is never too busy to call just to say "I love you" and she never forgets a birthday or special occasion. She was a super sweet little girl and she is becoming a very beautiful woman. Happy birthday Jaycee. I love you and I am so proud of what a wonderful person you are!