12 Years

12 years ago you entered this world.
You were born a little bit early.
You did not have the reflex to root and suck like most babies, so daddy and I worked as a team to help you learn.
Mommy pumped the breast milk and daddy helped you learn to suck to eat with a syringe and a long tube.
You were content to sleep. A little too much.

Easter Day 2001

By 2 months you learned that you not only liked to eat, but needed to eat. You started asking for food and it was great because mommy and daddy didn't have to worry so much.You and Mrs. Dykstra, your kindergarten teacher.

When you were born you had a VERY big mole on your back. I guess it comes from daddy's Cherokee heritage, but it was already different colors, so to prevent the most likely outcome of skin cancer we scheduled you for the first of 2 surgeries to remove it. We did this while you were little so that your skin would accommodate the surgeries better.

Out to eat with mommy. One of your favorite activities.

You did great. No complaining out of you. We held you and loved you and spoiled you. Your big sister, Sassy read stories to you in her 2 year old language. How I wish I could up load that here for others to share. It was precious. You can watch your video and relive it. Lucky you.Yep! You love Monkeys. You chose this one when we went to St George with daddy on a business trip.

You have always been our little night owl, well since you decided that you didn't need to sleep all the time as an infant. You also like to get up early. You are quiet when you get up so your mommy can sleep. You self entertain in your bed or bed room. You wake with a smile and joy that you greet your day and your family with.The wonderful surprise you left for me this past Summer. You decided that I needed some flowers and got them in my Jeep before I left for work. It took me awhile to figure out it was you because you were so sneaky about it.

Through all of your struggles you have triumphed. You are a tough little girl with a tender heart and a deep compassion for the underdog. You love to be with mom or dad and you love one-on-one time with your siblings. Your ability to forgive is Christ like. It humbles me how quickly you can forgive and how willing you are to consider the other side of the story.

The 2 girls you grew up. Though we moved you have made certain that your friendships have not been left behind. You keep them close and always in your heart.

You love to show off your climbing skills. You chose your blog pseudonym because of your love to climb trees and play on the monkey bars. You leave most of the boys in awe of your skills. You miss the trees from your childhood home. Trees are for climbing and our new home doesn't have big enough trees for you.You and Nicole at the Living Planet Aquarium that mom won tickets to from the radio station!

You love to play school with anyone, read books, ride your Rip Stick, bike, and scooter. You love to eat sugary foods and Pepperoni Pizza! The more pepperoni the better. Just like daddy. You are a High School Musical Fan. You can not only sing the songs, but do the dances and actions, too. You don't care if your room is clean. You care if your homework is done and done right. You would rather that someone else did the dishes and you want to learn to cook more and more. Your first attempt at meatloaf was a major success!Your fabulous 5th grade teacher, Miss Nielson, came to your dance recitals.

Simply put you exude love. Your love of family, pets, friends, animals in general, and life is contagious and we are so much better for having you in our lives. You give your heart and soul to everything you do. No half effort attempts here. You are 100% or more when you are doing something in the most positive way possible.Who doesn't love a good pillow fight? I love that you and Sassy get stuff like this on camera!

Now you are embarking on a new era of your life. You are leaving a little bit of the little girl behind and becoming a Young Woman. You are going to be attending mutual with your older sister and foster brother. You are going to learn new things and have new experiences. I am so excited to take this step with you. It will be fun for both of us. You are getting an amazing leader in your Young Woman's program. I just know that you will love her and get close to her. I'm thrilled that we get to have her involved in our family again.

I hope that you will continue to love to cuddle, go to random places with me, just to be with me, and to exude the love for life and others that has always marked your life.

Oldest Swinging you around and You loving it

My dear Tree Monkey, you are always going to be my baby girl, but you are my growing up girl more. Thank you for your example of strength. Thank you for your hugs and understanding when your mommy hurts and you bring me little things like drinks of ice water. Thank you most of all for choosing our family to join and be with for time and all eternity.You with Pouncy in our old backyard

I am the luckiest mom and dad is the luckiest dad for having you in our lives.

Happy 12th Birthday Sweetheart!