Wow, I missed some birthdays on my blog ....

I had several "Happy Birthday's" in September and seemed to have missed sharing much about them -- I guess because I was off and running through most of this month .. however, I wanted to highlight two here -- Kamen's 11th and Roxanne's ... well, let's say she is now as old as Jack Benny! lol!!

Kamen's birthday is on September 11th so needless to say, we do not forget that date! He's growing into such a neat young man -- loves football, wrestling and most other sports! He's competed in wrestling and won! (Since his dad is a wrestling coach, that gives him some training advantage!)

So, a belated Happy Birthday on my blog, Kamen .. we've celebrated .. and hopefully he has been shopping in the past few days!!

I posted the following letter on my Facebook page but thought I would also include it here ... along with some great, funny, interesting, silly photos ... all depicting our oldest child!! We are blessed indeed!

Wow, it doesn't seem like ... ahem ... ?? years ago that you were born!! And while you were born on September 23rd, the date that sticks in my mind is October 5th, the day you came into our home and forever became our oldest child! Big brown eyes, wisps of curly hair and a personality that from early on won the hearts of all who came in contact with you.

Just six weeks later, I became pregnant with Sandi ... so for a month, you are the 'same' age! And my grandmother was certain that we must have adopted Sandi, too, since she was so blonde and fair. You became soulmates quickly and I have admired that about the two of you throughout the years.

You talked early -- 7 months with a wave of your hand and a "Hi". We laughed and knew we had to have the smartest child in the world. And when you were speaking in full sentences at 13 months old, we knew we had a genius. Okay, so we were first time parents .. but you had life pretty well figured out.

You were Sandi's interpreter and protector. She didn't talk quickly -- but she didn't have to. You figured out what she wanted and communicated that to us quite well. Over the years, your roles would change from time to time -- depending on which one needed the other one most. Again, such qualities to be cherished.

You made friends easily ... and lots of them. Your laughter brought comfort to many, I'm sure, and amusement to others -- like when you decided to stand up on the table in a fast food restaurant and sing until cops rushed in with guns drawn. Not a prank, just someone accidentally calling the cops .. it did make a memory.

From the time you were little -- 4 years old -- music was important and became your life. From "I Am A Promise" until now, your passion has blessed many people. I never worried about whether you would remember the words or the tune or follow an accompaniment tape -- it always came naturally.

You've taken your role as a mom seriously and we are so blessed by that. Watching your children grow up and then see you in your role as a grandmother is something I treasure. Meeting your birth mother was one of those treasured experiences and I am so glad we did that together. I love the poem I found for you ...

Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still, miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute, you didn't grow under my heart, but in it.

Your willingness to give of yourself is an inspiration. During the past year when I was dealing with a broken leg, you never hesitated to be right by my side -- doing things you would definitely rather not be doing but doing it without complaint. And insisting that I do everything I was supposed to do! We laughed through a lot of it .. which made it much easier for me.

I always look forward to times when your laughter fills a room. It's fun to watch others get caught up in it and before long, everyone is feeling pretty good. However, I also know that behind that laughter many times may be hurts that you cannot share at the moment. I believe it is Chonda Pierce that says sometimes we laugh so we won't cry. And I know you've had your share of those times.

But, I'm glad you are striving to be a woman after God's heart. Not always easy when raising teenagers -- I guess I know since I raised four! Yet able to look back on those years and celebrate the good times and the great memories.

Which of course brings up the many trips we took across the countryside. Dad couldn't quite grasp the fact that you really do get carsick! He'd fly through the mountains and it's a miracle that we weren't having to stop by the side of the road. From the night in Yellowstone when it was much colder than we thought it would be and the van where you and Sandi were sleeping wasn't heated to the visit to the church where you asked your dad rather loudly why he was wearing a beanie on his head (while a service was going on), we have made memories!! Poor Dad ... having four daughters .. you, Sandi, Teri and Shonna ... sometimes had him a little overwhelmed on our vacations! But, he planned some awesome vacations -- it's just that he had to be reminded that you weren't the traveler! lol!!

Remember the time when you got tickled in the middle of a church service while someone was singing their heart out .. and Dad tried to keep you from laughing but couldn't keep from laughing himself. I knew that once you got started, there would be no stopping!

I know I'm rambling but there are so many memories that swirl through my mind ... like the couple days before Kasi was born. Yuo were always the most comfortable when Dad was home. So, you waited until he arrived home from Washington DC (he could only sit for the bar exam for the US Tax Court at that particular date) to decide it was "time" to head for the hospital. When he was home, all was good.

I'll never forget your wedding and that Chris didn't show up for the rehearsal. Not that he didn't want to but he, along with other family members, were stuck in Tampa airport traffic. I think he was picking up Leonard (a groomsman) and they arrived in time for the rehearsal dinner! Again, what memories .. or what about the most "unforgettable" time of all -- when Jim Lacy made his faux pas that forever will be etched in the minds of everyone who attended your wedding.. poor Jim! When he just couldn't get that tape started quite right for Kasi to sing ... but what a memory it made! I can still see Kasi at 5 years old rolling her big brown eyes at him!

And now you are a grandmother and I'm feeling old ... not really, but there is a difference when you are the mother of a grandmother and you watch your daughter in the role that was once yours. However, you are doing that well ... you and Chris are blessed by two great children and a beautiful granddaughter.

I am blessed by your talents, spiritual gifts, your personality -- but, most of all, by simply being you -- our first born. I am truly blessed to be your mom!!

I love you ... have a wonderful birthday!!