Happy 13th Birthday Baby Girl!

Excuse me while I have a moment! My baby girl turns 13 today! I've said it before, I'll say it again I really need the time to slow down because it is flying by way too fast!

I've got to jot down a few thoughts about my girl before I burst and puddle all over. So, on this day, your thirteenth birthday you are:

1. Growing much too quickly! We measured you at Cook Children's Hospital and they agreed that you are 5'10" tall. I really think you have grown a bit since then because you have just barely passed your momma. I am now looking up to you.

2. You just finished your first official basketball season with the Junior High Buffs and wow what a season it has been! You have improved so, so much this year. We have marveled at your ability to really play the game but your humble heart as well. I love it that even when you have scored 18 points in a game, and your goal was to score 20 points in one game, that you put yourself aside and passed the ball to your teammate who hadn't scored a basket all game. She ended up scoring four points and you were so happy for her.

3. I love it that after your games, you find me in the stands and give me a hug. Please, don't ever stop!

4. You can be a star athlete, who always gives her best effort, and an A honor roll student too. Your teachers always have good things to say about you and that fills me with all kinds of joy!

5. Speaking of school, you have become quite the writer this year. Your last paper was full of imagery, imagination, alliteration, metaphors, and emotion. I cried after reading it. Keep up the good work! I love to read your papers.

6. You love the Lord with all of your heart. I love to hear you pray as you talk to your Heavenly Father about absolutely everything.

7. You are a true friend. You have the incredible wisdom to be able to tell your friends what you think about a matter, settle conflicts with ease, and still remain friends in the end. Please, tell me your secret!

8. You fiercely love your family and we fiercely love you too!

9. You are a spider sister (John Trent's book) through and through. You were by your sister's side all of this past year and you never once thought about yourself even when she was receiving so much attention. I asked you about it one day and you were so upset with me. I believe you said, "How can I think about myself when my sister feels so bad." You are so precious!

10. You are generous. I can think of numerous times that you have spent your time to go out of your way to help your friends who needed advice or someone to listen to. You have made card after creative card to celebrate their birthdays.

11. You have an incredible voice. I love to hear the "battle of the bands" coming from yours and Rachel's rooms. It is music to my ears to hear you singing in the shower, in the car, or wherever you go.

12. Your sense of humor is amazing!!!! Watching the Bachelor on Monday nights is so stinkin' funny with you! Just yesterday you let me fix your makeup a little bit. You are still just wearing a little eyeshadow and some mascara but I asked you if you wanted some blush and you responded by saying, "Who doesn't love blush?" What was I thinking? So we played with makeup and that was fun!

13. Girl, you can eat! Your favorite foods right now are hamburgers-plain and dry, Dr. Pepper (you just might be a Baylor girl one day), Funions, honey buns, and Baby Ruth candy bars. I think you sang a song recently about "Rub my belly," and I may have just videoed it with my i-phone, but I would never in a million years post it on my blog because I would never want to embarrass you, but I'll treasure this little video for years.

I have so many, many more things to write, but I'll close for now. Thirteen things for your 13th birthday. You are the heart of my heart, apple of His eye, and one of the daughters that I hoped and prayed that I would have. The Lord has blessed us indeed!

Love,
Momma
xoxoxoxoxo