Kaleigh is TEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that I have a TEN YEAR OLD?!?!!?! I mean really….where did all of that time go??!? I just cant even believe it. It blows my mind that I am now going to have to tell people that I have a child who is a DECADE!!! I am still in shock over it. I think I was able to deal with it a little bit better because I just didnt think about it at all, but now that it is actually here I am so overwhelmed! I cant believe that in September she will be a FIFTH grader and in her last year of elementary school. It honestly blows my mind and I am very, very scared to be perfectly blunt. I mean, how did I, come to have a child who is about to embark on this crazy, scary, exciting, and life-changing time in her life??!?! I remember when I was going into middle school and it was SCARY!!!! I dont want my baby to grow up and I dont want her to have to face all of the difficulties that life is going to bring all too soon. She is still SO young and innocent and I hate to think of all the things she is going to have to face in the coming years. And it. Is. Here. Oh my goodness. I just pray that she is prepared mentally and emotionally and has the strength to pull through any situation because life can be tough. As much as I hate to have to come to terms with the fact that my baby is growing up, I also have to realize that I need to be there for her in a way that I have never been before. No longer am I able to protect her and shelter her in the way that I am used to. She relies so much more on her friends for support and their opinions than myself so I have to take the backseat. It hurts sometimes to know that my voice doesnt count as much and that I am “just her mom” but I still want to be there for her to give her anything I can. I know that we butt heads all too often and that we dont always see eye-to-eye, but I love her dearly and I only want what is best for her and I pray that she may one day see just how much I love and admire her.

In honor of Kaleigh’s birthday I wanted to share a little about her with you all. Kaleigh has always been a very independent young girl. I am constantly amazed at how well she is able to take care of not only herself, but to also take care of her brother, and even at times, remember things for me that I would have forgotten or totally discarded. She really tries to please everyone around her and although she does not like to admit it, she does not like to see anyone upset. She tends to be very hard on herself, she is a bit of a perfectionist like myself. She strives for complete perfection and when she(in her eyes) fails, she gets really discouraged. I understand her pain and truly feel bad for her because I can relate to her need to please and her need to “be the best” she can be. I just hope that she understands how truly amazing she is. She has a big heart, she cares for her family so much, she loves endlessly, gives compassionately, accepts unconditionally, and listens intently. She is such an astonishingly creative and intellectual being and I cant wait to see how much more she will grow in the coming years.

I dont know what we have in store for Kaleigh today…I only know that she would like to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast and eat at Mexico for dinner. We have already celebrated her birthday with the family and her friends so tomorrow is simply about her and celebrating her life. I cant wait to see what she has in store…I know she is looking forward to her shopping spree with Rick tomorrow, but other than that, we will see where the day brings us!

Happy Birthday Kaleigh Marie. I am so proud of you and in amazement by how much you have grown and come into complete independence. You never cease to amaze me. I really cant believe that I have watched you grow from a baby into who you are today. I am in awe of how intelligent, kind, beautiful, witty, sensible, sensitive, funny, grown up, talented, and well-rounded you are and am truly amazed at what a wonderful person you are. Never think any less of yourself–you are worth more than you can ever imagine and you are loved by so many. I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments and am looking forward to seeing what life brings you next! All my love sweet baby girl!

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