Kennedy

ahhhh...my oldest turns 13 day and I can't help but ponder on every birthday that passes this day November 7th, 13 years ago when we birthed this remarkable young lady into this world. Labor started early at 5:00AM, we rented 'The Santa Claus' and watched it in through morning, while I labored at home. Got to the hospital about 11:00, after a drive through Hardees to get Milo some lunch. Labored until 4:00, then the hard part started...PUSHING. After 2 intense hours, I remember wondering, when the heck they would just opt for a C-section to 'get this thing over', then remarkably 30 minutes later at 6:33 PM Kennedy came into this world and immediately wrapped her daddy tight around her pinky finger and we were both madly in-love.

The things I love about Kennedy include...

Her corky sense of humor and quick wit that she inherited from her father.

Her attention to detail, a bit of a perfectionist. Wonder where she gets that?

Her competitive nature. I have been blessed that we share the same love of running. To see those long legs gallup around the track, brings tears to my eyes.

Her love for her friends. Her boldness to stand up for what she believes in and to stand up for the girl/boy who is cast as the under dog.

Her talent at writing a 500 word poem on 'where this world is going with computers'. AMAZING

She loves music and adores Taylor Swift. Hanging out with her friends and being silly. Deep down I know she treasures her sister, for I hear things that she shares with her and not always with her mom.

I love how she always picks out what she is wearing the night before.

I thank her for pushing me into learning to love dogs.

And I especially thank her today for recognizing and valuing our family. She shared last night that when given a few extra minutes in class, she wrote about her family and valued that her 'mom' was the glue that kept our family together. In Kennedy's words, 'Mom, your life is just one big sticky note.' I would argue that without everything that we EACH bring to this unit, our family circle is not complete.

So as I await her arrival home from school, with plans in place to celebrate all family birthdays with dad's famous 'spaghetti supper', cake and presents, I am blessed beyond belief to have such a wonder young lady in my world. I would do anything for her and will always be there through the good times, but most importantly the rough times. For it is during the rough patches in life that we need our family the most, their presence, their encouragement, and their unconditional love.

We are recognizing this special milestone in her life tonight by presenting her with a beautiful Tanzanite journey pendant and ring. This gift symbolizes two things. First the start of a new journey in her life entering her teen years and second a reminder of the beginning of new relationships and the changes that will come emotionally and physically. The pendant progresses from small to large stones signifying the progression in relationships. Hopefully the ground work that we have already done and will continue to build on by having this as a visual, will keep the door open for communication in the months and years to come. Our anticipation is that someday she will have the ring replaced by her future husband with a diamond and we will replace the pendant on her wedding day with a diamond to recognize yet another milestone in her life. The necklace and ring, we hope will serve as a visual reminder of where she is in soon to be relationships.

I am anticipating that I will get the general 'teenage response' tonight, but hope that the meaning and significance will be embedded in the days, weeks, and months to come for her to understand and know that we are there for her always. Granting her grace when she makes mistakes, helping her to grow and learn from the decisions she makes, as she begins her journey to adulthood.

WHEW...a lot for one blog.

Anyway....good luck Jason, let us know the outcome and any potential plans we made need to make for next Friday.

Family birthday celebration tonight and 13 girls coming tomorrow night for ice skating and sleep-over double birthday, best friend celebration.

Also, I do believe the heavens will open up and angels will sing come tomorrow afternoon as my entire kitchen is getting an organizational make-over and my laundry room closet is being turned into a pantry as we speak! ahhhhhhhhh...the angels are singing!

Have a great weekend!

Jill