My 14er

I had always dreamed of having a daughter. I wanted frilly dresses and painted toenails and pierced ears and and shiny lipstick and everything pink and the most fun ever.

And then she was here.  My daughter.

 A little sister for Owen.

And she was adorable.

She might not have slept through the night until she was a year old, but that didn't stop her from growing!  By the time she was 18 months old, she was a force to be reckoned with.

And then she was two, and a big sister to Greyson.  Could there be a more excited little girl?!

She was always striking a pose.

When she was four, she became a big sister again, and this time was given the gift of a little sister!  Her excitement was overflowing.

I think she knew she was the prettiest little girl around.

She just loved hanging out in Nashville, hoping to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift.

But hey, a spin on the playground was pretty fun, too.

After begging along with her siblings for mom to have one more baby, she got her wish when she was seven years old.  She was like a little mother to Nash.

And then, I'm not sure what happened, but life shifted into warp speed.  She attended her first daddy-daughter dance in Ohio.

She seemed less like a little girl every time I looked at her.

Suddenly she was attending her last daddy-daughter dance in Ohio.

By the time we came back to Michigan in 2014, I was wondering what had happened to my little girl.  She was nine going on nineteen.

And the hits just kept on coming.  BAM.

BAM.

BAM.

Wasn't it a crime for an 11 year old to look this grown up?!  BAM.

I don't know exactly when she became infatuated with cats, but the obsession is REAL.

As she headed to middle school, time wasn't slowing down.

And as social media worked its way into her life, I was instructed, "Don't post that one, Mom.  Send it to me so I can post it!"

But I was happy, as long as she let me keep taking pictures of her, even with braces.

As she navigated her way through the throes of dreaded middle school, her hair got shorter.

Dresses faded mostly away.

Her hair got shorter still.

She was developing her own personal style.

As she headed towards the end of eighth grade, she turned 14.  FOURTEEN.  Hold me.

But I really can't complain, can I?  As a mother, I've hit the jackpot with her.  She is funny and beautiful and outspoken and so smart.

And if you know her, you know how much she despises anything that has to do with running, yet she has always supported my habit; she has always been my cheerleader.

The end of her eighth grade year left me gasping for air a little bit.  I mean, just look at her.

I have to send this young lady to high school next month.  HIGH SCHOOL.  Do you remember high school?  Middle school might be the worst, but high school is no picnic.  These next four years are going to be filled to the brim for her with football games and dances and homework and friendship and choices about her future.  She will have days that feel like weeks, and months that pass in a blink, and I hope she holds on tightly to the good and lets the not-so-good just roll away.  She has always had a carefree spirit.  She has always chosen to do her own thing and be her own person, no matter what anyone else says or thinks.  The things I've written here might all be about the past, but the past is what has made her into the smart and beautiful person she is today.  She knows who she is, and that's the most important thing.

14 years ago, I was given a gift.  A tiny bundle, wrapped in pink, to love forever: my Emerson.  I've got the girl with the frilly dresses and painted toenails and pierced ears and shiny lipstick and she is the most fun ever.

Happy birthday, Em.  Mom loves you.

Figuring It Out

Another year has passed, and I think it's safe to say that time is truly flying by.  My firstborn child is 15.  My little, roly-poly baby boy is now as tall as I am.

Owen's journey from 14 to 15 was a year filled with new opportunities, and a few goodbyes, too.

For years, Owen had wanted a pet snake, and for his 14th birthday, we surprised him with his very own slithery snake.  He thoroughly enjoyed bringing his pet down from his bedroom to shock visitors.

At Christmas, a light mishap sent him to the ER and it was confirmed that Owen had his first broken bone.

Because the break was in his hand, Owen was unable to drive a snowmobile.  That didn't stop him from getting some time outdoors on the sledding hill, though.

In 8th grade, honors science students have the opportunity to create a project for the district science fair.  Owen's experiments with water purification methods earned him a Junior Research Fellow Award.

Another opportunity 8th grade students have in our school district is the chance to visit Washington D.C. I was quite nervous to send my boy across the country on his own for four days, but he had so much fun exploring and hanging out with friends (and sending me selfies!)

As his 8th grade year came to a close, there were many celebrations.  Owen attend honors' award night where he was recognized for his exceptional grades.

And he also attended his first dance-the 8th grade farewell dance.

Summertime was most welcomed, and was filled with trips to the local parks,

fishing,

and Flint Junior Golf with Grandpa and cousin, Flynn.

Just like that, summer was over and it was time for...HIGH SCHOOL.  While some kids dread this step up, Owen was nothing but excited for this fresh start.

One thing that is different about high school here is, on Wednesday mornings, school starts two hours later to give time for teacher meetings and test make-ups.  The leaves time for Owen and I to have a little one-on-one time at a local diner.  We talk, we laugh, and we EAT.

Owen also attended Homecoming, and totally rocked suspenders and a bow tie.

At the beginning of 9th grade, Owen had opted to take regular college prep Science, but after a couple of months, it was clear that he should be in Honors Science.  He applied to be accepted into the more advanced class, and his teacher joked that the class he was leaving would have a much lower class average without Owen in it!  Haha!

Owen also said goodbye to running on the cross-country team this year, and decided to apply for the Robotics Team.  We were all very excited when he received the news that he had made the team.  Parents were invited to join in on the season's launch, and I sat in the back of the room and watched as Owen was warmly accepted into this group of teenagers who loved computers and gaming and all things technology, and I knew he had found his people.

When he was 14 years and 9 months old, Owen was eligible to take driver's training.  He passed with flying colors, but I have to tell you, there is nothing scarier than being in the passenger's seat with a 15 year old driver. 

Now don't worry-even with all of the honor's classes and Robotics and driving, Owen still saves time for straight up FUN.

He loves to be outside exploring, and he loves spending time with his brothers and sisters.

This year, once again, for his birthday, Owen requested chocolate pie, and had fun joking around with friends and family.

Oh, and his favorite recent gift?  A black winter hat with two giant puffballs on top.  He wears it every chance he gets and loves it.  (I have no idea where he gets his sense of humor.)

Speaking of humor, Owen has a thing for stupid "dad jokes".  Here's an example:

"Mountains aren't just funny, they are hill areas."

I have said it before, but Owen is THE best big brother.  He is always willing to stop what he's doing to help his siblings.  Middle school was a little rough, as it often is for kids, but Owen put all of that behind him and totally made his freshman year HIS.  New friends, new activities, and a new focus have really helped him come into his own.  He makes us proud every day with his choices and his behavior and we are so lucky that he is ours.  We love his sense of humor, and we love his intelligence and the little tidbits of knowledge he works into conversations.

I remember the days when my kids were all little and they needed so much from me.  I remember the days when I felt like I'd never get a moment to myself.  I remember being scared to send my kids to school and to play dates with friends.  It doesn't get any easier-it's still hard.  It's hard giving your kids freedom, even though they're ready.  It's hard to think Owen only has three more years of high school.  The days fly by and the weeks fly by, and the years fly by.  Sometimes 15 years ago seems like yesterday.  It has been quite a journey with Owen leading the way, but we have learned so much from being his parents.  I have always known Owen was destined for greatness, and I think he is starting to see that he has the power to make his dreams come true. 

Owen, we are so proud of all that you are.  You impress us everyday and we are lucky to watch you grow into a wonderful young man.

Happy birthday, O.  Mom loves you!