25 - quarter of a century

Dear Whitney,

You are a quarter of a century old.  25 years of life.  You continue to amaze me with your strength and determination.

I know things are not easy for you...actually they've never been easy for you.  But you take it with such great stride.  I'm so proud of you for this.

You fall and get back up.  You take care of yourself and your babies.  It's something you should be proud of.

This year, instead of dinner, we had brunch.  And we had it at the campground in the rv.  It would have been a lot better if it wasn't a mud pit, but I'm just happy I got to share another year celebrating you!

We enjoyed (your choice) waffles, with whip cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips - do delicious, sausage and oj.  Your cake was small but that was because I figured with such sweet toppings, no one would want to eat cake after! Also, we forgot birthday candles, but we'll always have the memory of you blowing out one of my big, house candles, haha!

We got you some capris and shirts - you never get your self anything, so I wanted to make sure it was something only YOU could use and enjoy.  And of course, made sure your favorite color was on each pair of the capris.

I love you so much and look forward to celebrating another 50 years with you!

We love you,

Mom, Dad, Cadence, & Bryleigh

Golden 24

Happy Golden Birthday!!!

TWENTY FOUR!

Another year older and (in my greediness) another happy year (yes, for me) spent with us!  Cake & ice cream are on deck - looking forward to spending time with you!  Even though it's a simple family tradition, it's an important one in our family.

It's your birthday, but to me, spending another year celebrating you, on your day of birth, is a present to me!!

Happy golden birthday Whitney.  Thank you for sharing your life with us.

I hope today makes you happy.

We love you always & forever,

Mom, Dad, Cai, Bry, Lenyx & Chris

23

Whitney,

Even though I don't agree with the recent decisions you've made, I still love you.  I may not want to talk to you at the moment, but it's because my heart hurts and I don't want to cry when we talk.  I just need to accept the fact that you are an adult and need to make your own mistakes.  I can't protect you forever.

No matter what - we are always here for you.  ALWAYS.

Happy 23rd.

We love you always & forever,

Mom, Dad, Cai, Bry, Lenyx & Chris

My baby is SEVEN!!

I can't even believe this...my baby is SEVEN today.  How is she growing up so quickly?  Wasn't she just born?  ugh..my heart breaks a little knowing she keeps getting older, but on the other hand, I am proud of the wonderful person she is becoming. 

Yesterday, on the way to Church, after her very small b/day party, she asked if she could use her b/day money to give at church.  My heart was so full of pride.  So, she gave some of her $ when it was time.  Her smile was huge!

Next month the plan is to stay the night in Columbus and go to the American Girl Doll store and get her, her own doll.  Yay!

After Church, Gramma took us all out to dinner.  Bry chose Denny's.  She's a cheap date.  We dropped Gramma off at Aunt Vicki's and came home.  I was able to get a few shots of the girls still dressed in their Church clothes.

Seven things you've taught/reminded me:

It doesn’t matter if you’ve done pretty much the same things raising each of your children, they will grow and be completely different from one and other.

With the right will power, you can overcome anything.

Being a girl is hard work and requires lots of girly things.

Playing dolls is a great workout for your imagination.

You can be a tough little shit, but within seconds, the most gentle, loving little girl.

You are 100% Stacey.

No matter how big you get, there is always room for you on my lap, wrapped in my arms.

I love you, always & forever. 

Happy 1st Birthday, handsome boy

I cannot believe you are one, today, Christopher Keith!  Maybe it's b/c you were born in TX, so to pop-pop & I, you have only aged since you have been home.  That is silly, I know. 

When we met you, four short months ago, we fell in love immediately!  You are the spitting image of your father, with the blondest hair and bluest eyes.  You melt my heart when you smile. 

I look forward to watching you grow and loving on you even more.  Always know,  Mimi will do anything for you & loves you more than you will ever understand.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA!

 

Love, Mimi, Pop-pop, Aunt Fafa, & Aunt Buggy

22

Dear Whitney, 

You are 22 today!!  Holy crap – you’re getting old.  Hahaha.  This is the first b/day, in ten YEARS we get to spend together.  AHH!!  I am so happy.  Your life has been harder than anyone I have met.  You have had some of the lowest lows a person can have, but you don’t let it dull your beautiful smile.  I wish I could take away your past pain, and bad memories. 

Those experiences could have made you a resentful, mean person.  But you are sweet and funny and loving and kind.  I am so thankful and blessed to have you in my life.  We have said it a million times, YOU are OURS.

our b/day present to Whitney

I hope you have an amazing year, beautiful! 

Love, Mom, Dad, Cadence, Bryleigh, Lenyx & Chris

“God knew that it doesn’t matter how your children get to your family.  It just matters that they get there.”  Kira Mortenson