Happy 12th Birthday Alyssa

 Dear Alyssa,

The day has finally arrived. You are now officially 12. A much anticipated birthday for you as the last year as a preteen. You have been talking non stop for weeks now about today, well perhaps months. I do hope it ends up being everything you hoped for.

And speaking of hopes, looking ahead I also hope the last year in the preteen phase are everything you imagined and then some. I know things have been tough for you this last year with so many changes. Starting middle school, me going to work out of the house leaving you to come home a lot to no one home. I hope you can embrace this chance of freedom for you. But not too much. We have a lot of trust in you that you'll make good choices. I'm sure you won't disappoint.

Keep on smiling and don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy every minute of being 12. Because you'll only be 12 once. I love how social you are, always wanting to do things with your friends. I'm so glad you have found yourself such a nice friend group and that you all will have each others backs. Keep having fun and don't ever lose that spunk.

I love you so much and love that I get to call you my daughter. Happy 12th birthday, Lissy. 

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 15th Birthday CJ

 Dear CJ,

I can't believe I didn't tell you you're halfway to 30. Ha, I'm sure I've told you the story of Grandma telling me that on my 15th birthday. Always a great thing to hear first thing in the morning.

Anyways, what a ride these last 15 years have been. You sure have a knack for keeping us on our toes. And this year the thing that I was dreading finally happened, you decided to have people call you Chris instead of CJ. I knew this day was coming. I'm just so relieved that you don't want me to call you Chris, because honestly, this has been really hard when talking to your teachers. Most of them know we call you CJ, so sorry if you're still getting called that at school.

This has been such a big year for you. I can definitely tell you are very much trying to assert your independence. Do me a favor though, will you? Don't shut me and your father out. We love you very much and we can help guide you through all of this. Believe it or not we have navigated the teen years. And while we can't know exactly what you're going through we do have a fairly good idea, especially when it comes to the big stuff.

I am enjoying watching you navigate the whole exploratory process at your school and picking what you want your trade to be over the next 4 years. Can't wait to see in a month what you finally choose. Will you go a completely different path than you intended when you started this school like your sister did, or will you stick with what you've always thought you wanted? I have my suspicions on what you'll do. And I'm sure you will do it quietly with zero input accepted from anyone on the matter. Because that's just how you roll. If you do ever want to hear my thoughts on the matter though, you know I will happily share them with you.

Keep working hard and keep trying your best. You, my son, are such a bright and caring person. I miss the little boy you once were, but I love watching the man you are turning into. Happy 15th birthday, CJ! I know you are going to make the most out of every opportunity that comes your way. I love you!

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 20th Birthday, Kaitlyn

 Dear Kaitlyn,

Happy 20th birthday! You're getting so old; or so you keep telling us. I know you still are toiling over what to do with your life, but try not to stress too much. You'll figure out what's right for you. But always make sure whatever you do everyone around you truly sees and appreciates your value. 

I am looking forward to what adventures you will be getting yourself into this year. I know you have a lot of big plans, so I hope everything works out the way you want it to. Keep working hard, but finding ways to have a good time.

Thank you for all the help you offer with your siblings and around the house. We all really appreciate you so much, even if we don't always say it.

I hope you have a great 20th birthday. Congratulations on making it through your teen years. Happy birthday Katie Kiddles, I hope you have so much fun today.

Love always,

Mom

Happy 11th Birthday Alyssa

 Alyssa,

 Double ones on 2/2/22, what a fun birthday you have, in so many ways. I hope you had tons of fun today. You sure are loved, that is very obvious. I hope you know that and felt that today and every day. 

So fun one, what do you think of 11? I have some hopes for you as you go through this next year. I hope you keep being adventurous and trying new things. I hope you get to spend time with friends and family more this year after the last two years of mostly being stuck at home. I hope you get to have a fun and memorable end to your time in elementary school this year. I hope you can start middle school in the fall in a more normal way than school has been for you over the last few years. I hope you keep finding ways to make your own fun.

I am so glad I have gotten to be your mother for these last 11 years. I'm looking forward to what the next 11 years and beyond of your life are going to bring for you and us. I see so many bright things for your future. You are going to do great things.

Happy 11th birthday Lissy. We love you.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 14th Birthday CJ

 Dear CJ,

Happy Birthday Mr. Awesome. For the last 14 years you have been bringing so much joy and happiness to our lives. Watching you grow has been truly bittersweet because while I want to spend as much time as possible with you I also love seeing you overcome every obstacle.

People tell me all the time what a great kid you are. And it's so true. You are polite, you are funny, and you are a hard worker. Such great qualities which will take you so far in life.

I am so proud of what you are accomplishing this year. I know I drive you crazy always reminding you how important it is to do well in school so you can make your dreams come true, and you have truly stepped up to that challenge this year. I don't know why I was worried you wouldn't do it. Keep up the hard work kiddo, I promise you it will take you far in life. 

The world needs more people like you in it. I'm just so happy I get to be along for the ride. I hope 14 is a great year for you. The best is yet to come in life, kiddo. Remember, don't have a good day, have a GREAT day! I love you always and forever. Happy birthday, CJ.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 19th Birthday Kaitlyn

 Dear Kaitlyn,

What a year it's been. Not exactly how any of us thought it would go, and everything you worked so hard for all seemed to end in a fizzle. But in true Kaitlyn fashion you plugged on probably a lot less phased by all you missed out on than I was.

I know you think 19 is no big deal. Nothing big happens this year, it's just another day, but I know you will make this a great year. Whether it's going back to school in the fall, or finding yourself the job you see yourself doing, you will figure it all out. Maybe not this year, but everything you challenge yourself into doing always leads you to a new adventure and something new you find out about yourself. Don't think you have to figure it all out at once though. Now is the time to try new things and explore all of your interests.

I am truly looking forward to you finding your path. And always know your father and I will always be here with you every step of the way cheering you on and offering advice whether you want that advice or not. 

Happy 19th birthday Katie Kiddles. I hope you have a lot of fun today and a great year ahead. I love you!

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 10th Birthday Lissy

 Dear Alyssa,

Finally, the much anticipated day has arrived. I hope it hasn't been too disappointing what with COVID raging on and a near blizzard putting a monkey wrench in everything for you. I cannot believe that you are 10 years old. It truly feels like just yesterday I was sitting on the couch after eating dinner when you said nope, I'm going to change all of your plans and make you scramble. You have been full of surprises literally since the day you were born.

You know, you round out our family in the most perfect of ways. I know you wish you could be a big sister, but you're just going to have to settle for someday, hopefully far down the road, being someone's awesome aunt. You complete this family, no one could ever follow your act. So sorry kiddo, you're stuck being the youngest, but rest assured, you are awesome at it.

The past year has been anything but typical. There has been a whole lot of shifting of plans and even some losses along the way, but you sure have shown how very strong and resilient you are. Switching to distance learning, you did so without complaint and even have done pretty good with it. I hope life can start to get back to normal and you can start getting to hang out with your friends in person and not just on Zoom or on the phone. I know you miss your friends.

You are growing up so fast. Sometimes I wish I could make it stop, but at the same time I can't wait to see where life is going to take you. You have so many great and wonderful thoughts for how your future will play out. No matter what you do, I am sure you will be great at it and you certainly are not going to let anyone push you around. You are a girl to be reckoned with and it's because of that, that I have no doubt your greatness is going to shine in whatever you do.

Have a great birthday baby girl, and I hope your 10th year with us is absolutely the best one yet. Happy 10th birthday Alyssa. You complete us!

Love always,

Mommy