Wow. That title was hard to write, and is even harder to wrap my brain around! But it’s true. Today my precious first born Jayme turns 13. She’s growing into a lovely young lady. I love that she enjoys playing with her siblings. I love that she is growing confident in her God-given talents and abilities. I love watching her mature. Oh–I just love her!
Life has changed so much in the past 13 years.
When I was looking for a baby picture to put into this post, I realized that Jayme’s baby pictures are actually printed out–because they were taken on film! (We got our first digital camera from Oprah when Bryan was at Boot Camp a year after 9/11 and her show did a special. Strange, but true story! Needless to say, with the separation from the Navy, I didn’t start using a digital camera to record things until Jayme was almost two!)
I never would have believed back in 2002 that we’d be expecting our seventh child this year. Or that we’d live back on the same farm I couldn’t wait to move off of. Or that I’d be a Christian who actually enjoyed learning about God and trying to live for Him. Or that I’d have given up my dream career of teaching to be a stay-at-home mom. But I’m incredibly thankful for all of those things. And more!
I’m so thankful for the journey that the Lord has taken me on so far. And as we travel into this unknown territory of raising a teen for Him, I’m really thankful that He’ll be guiding us. It’s really not as scary as I thought it was going to be. God is great!
And Jayme….may you always choose to be of excellent character, to work hard and to follow the Lord. Happy Birthday my precious girl!
