1 Year

One year ago today Stephenie brought someone new into our lives. His name was Hunter.(She was never going to date him) I can't say I welcomed him with open arms. As I was not sure if I was ready for this step in her life. Not saying she was either but it happened ready or not. As a Mom I watched them as they learn what it is to have a relationship. The spats, fights, surprises, butterflies, laughter, secrets and the falling in love. There are two families that have opened up their hearts and lives to someone new. Speaking for myself I am very blessed to have this new person in my life. All the milestones they shared together over the past year: senior year, Hunter's last high school football game, the birth of Ella in August(not theirs) and Hayden in November(once again not theirs), holidays, choosing colleges, becoming legal(by law), prom, graduation, saying good bye to Timmerman's twice and many others. As I reflect over the past year I have gotten to share in and watch a two young people become friends, grow in trust, share dreams together, make memories for life and fall in love. With all this said I want to wish you both a great day and MANY more memories! Hunter and Stephenie 08.25.2010

Ode to Stephenie

Well it seems that I am a yearly blogger. As I was talking with my friend Carol the other day about things we wish we took time for or had time to do my blog came up. She challenged me to post to my blog before the end of the month. So here goes and I am challenging myself to post at least weekly.

So I am going to make this first long past due post to my daughter.

As I watch you preparing to start this new chapter in your life. I want to take this moment to tell you how proud I am of you. You have turned into a wonderful and independent young woman. Taking the next step in your life starting college and bettering yourself with an education. I thank GOD everyday for you and that you have become not only my daughter but my FRIEND. I want you to know that you bring me JOY, frustration and make my life complete. I wish you the best of luck on your next adventure in college. Remember that you can do anything you put your mind to. Keep on being true to yourself and loving your life. I will always be here for you, cheering you on and ready with a hug and shoulder if you need it.

With all my love and heart,

Mom

She is ???

Seventeen years ago on a beatuiful Palm Sunday I head off to the hospital to see what if it was going to boy or girl! Well we had the little sister that Michael had been telling everyone he was going to have for 9 months. That day I had my Stephenie Wren named after to of the most special people in my life my Daddy and his mother. I am still wondering where the last 17 years have gone. She has gone from my little red headed chubby baby girl to a wonderful young woman. I think she is the most beautiful girl in the world and has become a very strong young lady(used loosely:)). Happy Birthday my baby girl I love more than words can ever express.

She has had a very diffucult year. As she had to at a very young age say good-bye to Papaw, has had the flu twice, mono, only will have had about 16 weeks of her junior year spent at the school and maybe facing surgery in the next few weeks. So I am trying to do some extra special things for her this year to make her birthday weekend fun. She had dinner with her Dad last night at Nagaski, on Saturday for lunch we will be having lunch with Michael, Emily, and Brittany. Sunday well I have a few things planned, but can't reveal today as she might just read my blog. Monday she will be having a message, her first and I am sure if she is like her Mom not the last.

But as with all that has happened over the past 8 months it is a bitter sweet celebration. As this will be the last birthday that she will be celebrating at Ninie and Papaw's house. She had her first one there and pretty much had the last 17 there. Mom has sold the house and will be moving to Arlington by the end of the month. So as we prepare to help Mom move on to another new phase in her life, I am sure there are going to be mixed emotions.

**Photo by Marci Lambert

SWEET SIXTEEN

Stephenie is 16 and full of life. She amazes me each day as I watch her grow in today a wonderful person. She loves life and wants to enjoy every minute of it. Loves her family, friends and herself.

Yesterday was her day and it was all about her for 24 hours.(truth be known it is that way most days). It start at about 6:45 for me getting ready for a Surprise Lunch Party for her.(I am sure that it was not a surprise as she and her 2 friends come home looking cute). With all the actives for the weekend we had to do lunch. There were about 35 people on hand to wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I decorated the dinning room with pink and green, made cheese dip, Grandma got meats and cheese for sandwiches, made a strawberry cake(which she has had strawberry something since the age of 2), soft drinks and you have a party. Susan can over and helped me for about an hour to help me get things together. (yes an hour is a lot time for her,as she really doesn't have time to spare with 3 kids, working full time, house, husband) The first order of business was for Princess Stephenie to receive her Princess Tara, blinking Princess Pin and basket of pamper supplies. Of course even at 16 year old birthday parties you have goodie bags complete with candy, bubbles, pin wheels and water guns. Which were the hit. But when Stephenie decided to squirt Aunt Jessica the fun was on, as Aunt Jessica borrowed a water gun and was out for revenge and got it.(btw we maybe old but we still have a little child in us)

Then it was time for a little shopping with the gift certificates from the local shops here in Arlington.(just love to support the small shops here in town) Back home and ward robe change for the big night out on the town. We all looked cute and my outfit was approved. Hooters here we come for fried dill pickles, wings and crab legs. Someone over heard that is was her birthday and they put her on a chair, gave her a cup for a beck and menus for wings and sang Happy Birthday to her. Off to the mall for desert. Bowling was the next adventure on the list for the night. We went to Billy Hardwicks for Cosmic Bowling and a lot of laughs.

Mommy thoughts on the day: I am so blessed to have been given this WONDERFUL, FUNNY, BEAUTIFUL person. I still wonder where the first 16 years for her life went so quickly. How did she turn in this wonderful young women. My nerves are on edge about the driving. She is a good driver, but has a little bit too much confidence with out much experience. Wonder what the future has in store for her and what opportunities will be out there for her,

Through My Daughters Eyes

Yes it is Spring Break Week here in the south. Since the boss is out of town I can't take the whole week off but I did take some time yesterday to go with Stephenie, Emily and Nathalie to do one of their favorite things. SHOP!! They all went to the zoo for a few hours until I could get out of the office. After the nightmare of trying to get them picked at the zoo. You would have thought that they were giving the animals for free with all the traffic there. We took the new car for a mini road trip to the Factory Outlet Mall in Tunica, MS. Since they shut ours down in Lakeland. So I had a great trip with the windows down and listening to the music, as all my passengers in the car were asleep. Boy they came to life when I mentioned food, so after a little snack we hit the stores. We had a dual mission today. The first being to find the girls some great looking clothes for the summer and yes that included several pairs of flip flops in a variety of colors. When you shop with these 3 we all must go into the same dressing room as we all need to see how the clothes fit. Since they will be passed around the group. Now on to the second part of the mission to get Mom some cute clothes. This is where through my daughters eyes comes in to play. As I am trying on clothes and look in the mirror I see a fat, middle age, very unattractive person with clothes that are cute. As my WONDERFUL, SWEET daughter says "Mom hush you are cute, pretty and not fat". So after I try and hold back the tears. I am thinking why can't I see ME as she sees ME. I love that kid.

BTW-She and the girls did do a good job on getting me cute clothes!