Happy 14th Birthday, Alyssa

 Dear Alyssa,

I don't know how it's possible that my last baby is going to be starting high school this year. But here we are, wrapping up middle school and choosing what high school you'll go to. I know this is a tough choice. You want to be with people you know, but you also want to pursue all of your interests. Listen, you do not have to pick your career path now. You have lots of time to figure all of this out. Follow your heart. In the end I think you know what's best for you.

This year has been filled with lots of changes, and I know it is not starting off the greatest. But we'll get through this hiccup and there's so much to look forward to this year. Your sister's wedding.  Your 8th grade dance. Your 8th grade graduation. Starting high school. I think this is going to be a good year for you.

So keep your head up. Keep looking forward and keep on working hard. You are so smart and so witty. We never know what's going to come out of your mouth and most of the time it's usually something that makes us laugh, or gives us a really great story to tell for years to come. I am looking forward to getting to correctly celebrate your birthday when Dad gets home. And I know he is too. We love you so much. Happy birthday, Lissy Loo.

Love always,

Mom

Happy Sweet 16, Chris

 Dear Chris,

Okay, I'm not gonna lie, that's still hard to type, even harder to actually say. Sorry, but 15 years of calling you CJ, it's just hard. So please continue cutting us some slack, won't you?

Looking back over these last 16 years I can't help but think where did the time go? When we made your time capsule 15 years ago I thought it's going to take forever before we get to see what's in here. Boy, was I wrong. I blinked and you were towering over me. It probably doesn't feel that way to you, probably feels like it took forever to get here. You made it though, we made it even.

Kiddo, I want so many wonderful things for you and your life. And trust me when I say this, all the things you want to do with your life are absolutely 100 percent possible. I know you might think I have to say that because I'm your mom, but all that means is I know you better than anyone else does. And that's exactly why I know you got this. You are so unbelievably smart. And it's okay that math and writing aren't really your thing, you don't have to be the best at those things. You do have to always try your best though, even in the areas that are difficult for you. And I think you are beginning to see that.

We had a rough year this past year, but I see that fire back in your eye, that urge to stay on track. And hey, I don't expect perfection, no one is perfect. I'm sure there are going to be mess ups along the way, but as long as you keep on correcting yourself you'll be just fine. 

Your future is so bright. Whether you join the Army or the Navy or just go right into working in an automotive shop after high school or maybe something else entirely, who knows. I know you'll do great things. Keep working hard, and keep being kind and polite to others. Those doors are going to keep on opening for you.

Keep up the good work you're doing this year, Chris. I am so very proud of you. And the more responsible you are, the more responsibility you'll continue to earn. An after school job, your license, and your own car might not be too far off, so long as you do your best to always think before you do. Happy 16th birthday CJ, AKA Chris. I love you. Best early birthday present I ever got!

Love always, 

Mom

Happy 13th Birthday CJ

 CJ,

It's finally here, you are now a teenager. As I do every year on your birthday, I have been reflecting on all the years that came before with you. Starting of course with our first moments together just staring in awe at your perfectly round little baseball head thinking how you were the greatest early birthday present I ever got. And you are just the gift that keeps on giving every year too. 

You told me this year that you wanted to bake me a birthday cake, all by yourself simply because I always bake you a cake for your birthday every year. Just knowing that you want to do that for me is the best birthday present you could give me. Because you know that I bake you a cake because I care, and you want to do the same for me to show me that you care. 

With each passing year I am more and more proud that I get to be your mom. Watching you come into your own has been great to see. Hearing from others that you have such a good head on your shoulders and don't just follow the group and start doing whatever the other kids do. It's a great quality to not be a follower.

The last year has most definitely been trying in so many ways with having to figure out a different way to do school and not being able to see your friends. You haven't complained though. And I know there have been times you have wanted to give up, but you have continued on. Please keep working hard, even with all of this adversity. You have so much potential to reach your dreams, and I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom. 

I hope today is everything you hoped it would be, and I hope your 13th year ends up being everything you thought it would be. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep having that big giant heart of yours. I love you so much and wish you the happiest 13th birthday a boy could ever have.

Love always,

Mommy

 

 

 

Happy 9th Birthday Lissy

Dear Alyssa,

Well, I'm sorry today came after all. I know you said you didn't want it to come. I don't know why, maybe because you haven't been feeling well. I know it wasn't perfect, I hope you still had a good and memorable birthday and that all of your wishes you made today will come true.

But you are nine now, getting that much closer to 16 like you want to be. You know, I do hope you'll take time to enjoy 9 and all of the rest of the years from now until 16. There's a whole lot of fun each of those years can bring you too. Don't be in such a hurry to grow older. I know you feel like you're missing out because your brother and sisters get to do all this cool stuff before you, but they had to wait just as long as you did.

So here's what I hope for you this year. I hope it's filled with lots of fun and laughter. I hope you will find that love of reading soon. I hope you'll learn to write in cursive and love it as much as you thought you would. Most of all I hope you know how much you are loved by so many people. You are after all forever and always the fun one. Who wouldn't love you?

So happy 9th birthday Lissy. I love you.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 8th birthday to my baby girl

Dear Alyssa,

My little groundhog who's always so full of surprises from the moment you were born. It's hard to believe it has been eight years since you came along to complete our family. The perfect addition to our family. My wish for you this year is that you have so much fun and learn so many new and exciting things in school.

I hope you never lose your creative side. Keep on writing those books and drawing those amazing pictures you draw. I hope one day you will help all those sick dogs like you want to.

Wishing you a super happy 8th birthday. I hope you get everything you wanted today. We all love you so very much and hope this is the best birthday yet.

Happy 8th birthday my sweet little baby girl.

Love always,
Mommy

Happy 15th Birthday

Dear Kaitlyn,

Happy birthday, you're halfway to 30, or a quarter of the way to 60. I know you have been excitedly anticipating me declaring that you made it to halfway to 30. So there it is kiddo.

This year has been full of changes for you. You're really maturing and coming into your own and I love watching you do what you do. You are fearless and I'm always in awe of you. I'm enjoying this ride we're on together and watching you as you plan your future and make hard choices seemingly easily. It's not easy to abandon something you dreamed of for so long and try something that you never even imagined it was for you. I think I was more nervous about this decision than you were though. You have taken it and run with it and you're doing great. I really look forward to seeing all the things that you do.

If I had one piece of advice for you it would be don't be so hard on yourself. You sometimes can be your toughest critic. You have skills and people recognize that. Believe that they are right and keep showing your naysayers what you got. Because when you put your mind to something you will always shock and amaze people. You do for me all the time. I'm so proud of you.

I hope 15 is a great year for you. I'm looking forward to our day together of ear piercing, haircuts, lunch, and painting. Happy 15th birthday Kaitlyn. I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Happy 9th Birthday CJ

Dear CJ,

Wow! Nine years! You my boy are everything I ever could have dreamed for in a son. You are kind, loving, handsome, and funny. I love getting to share Met's baseball with you. Seeing the excitement in your eyes when we go to a game. I love watching you play baseball even more. I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I'm enjoying watching you play baseball.

As much as I hate to admit it you're a preteen now. This is going to begin to open up a whole new world for you. I want you to know you will always be my baby boy no matter how big you get. Even if you are taller than me, which yes, you probably will be, both of your sisters are.

I hope nine is an amazing year for you. Filled with lots of fun and excitement. I know there are big changes for us on our horizon with Natalie graduating and going to college and our plan of moving to Florida in the summer. I know it's going to be hard for you to say goodbye to your friends, but I know you'll make new ones. You are such a smart and friendly little boy and anyone who wouldn't want to be your friend is a fool.

Whatever you do stay awesome kiddo. I love you and hope this birthday is the best one yet.

Love,
Mommy

Happy 14th Birthday

Dear Kaitlyn,
Wow! You're 14. What an important year this is going to be for you. You will graduate from middle school and move onto high school and really begin to pursue your dream of being a hairdresser. I can't remember a time that you didn't want to be a hairdresser.

You made it! You got into the school you wanted to, and not by chance. All because of your hard work and perseverance to overcome whatever life throws at you. I think this is what I admire about you the most. When things don't come easily to you, you push through it and try your best. You have to work harder than anyone I know at certain things. And it has paid off for you. All that hard work and good behavior got you into the school of your choice and I just know you're going to excel there.

Don't ever get bogged down in I can'ts because you have proved time and time that you can. You absolutely can do whatever you put your mind to. Anyone who tells you otherwise you need to prove wrong.

As cliche as this sounds, the world is your oyster. It is what you make of it and I know you will make the most out of any opportunity you're presented with.

Happy birthday to my sweet Katie Kiddles. May you forever and always know how much you are loved.

Love always,
Mommy

Happy 5th Birthday Alyssa!

Dear Alyssa,

Well, the day finally arrived. The much anticipated 5th birthday. Perhaps this day wasn't all you expected it to be. I mean you're not five feet tall yet. But I hope it was a good day.

So now you're five. Really just like one of the big kids. You have been embracing this all. Growing and learning so many new things. You have overcome every challenge you have been thrown in life with a beautiful smile on your face.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what this year brings for you. Well, honestly, I always look forward to hearing what crazy thing you're going to say next. You are always making everyone laugh with your over-the-top sayings. I never know what you'll come up with next. You keep me on my toes with your spunk and zest for life.

As much as I would love to keep you little forever, I know so many great things are to come for you. So I hope you keep putting yourself out there and trying new things with lots of fun and laughter. Life is better when you're laughing and you make everyday a better day with your sense of humor.

Happy 5th birthday to my sweet baby girl. Fly high little one.

Love,
Mom