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18 and still the best Mother's Day gift.

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 Man of the Woods, 18 years old. I remember the day you were born. I was exhausted after 29 hours of labor and you were the biggest baby on the floor at 8 lbs. 9 oz. You were born the night before mothers day. It was that morning that I feel like I really had the chance to count your toes, and inspect the shape of your ears I know a weird Ma thing to do, but I can still see your tiny ears in that hospital room as you contentedly slept in my arms. For years you hated the church nursery, I wasn't sure how you were going to make it in Kindergarten, but when the day came from across the room you signed I love you with a big smile on your face. Just before you turned to run into the classroom your hand explode into imaginary fireworks. Off you went full of confidence, ready to conquer the world. When the time finally came to pick you up, you excitedly hopped into the car with a million and one stories to share about your day. You are the first born, constantly birthing me into parenthoo...

14

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To my Laughter, Fourteen, in high school, and marching to the beat of your own drum, just as you always have. I love it.   As it is every year, it's cool to watch you grow. You have this amazing gift to s ee and meet the needs of others. So often though you are working quietly behind the scene, but this year you have taken on my direct leadership roles. You lead a group of Cub Scouts and their families during Spooktacular, which you enjoyed enough to decide to be a CIT at Camp Roosevelt this coming summer. And minutes before the Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner you volunteered to do the invocation when there was an unexpected need. You got up in front of a couple hundred people, something you have said you would never do. I love that you step into challenges and you don't let fear control you. (Except maybe when it comes to spiders. Ha!)  My prayer for you this year is that you would continue learn to wait quietly before the Lord as David says in Psalm 62 because He alone i...

16

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 Man of the Woods, Boy have you pushed yourself this year. You have: ~ Been the keynote youth speaker at the Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner, where you had to write and give a speech.  ~ In the same night passed your driver's permit exam and had your Eagle Project approved. ~ Spent 2 weeks at the Summit with 15,000 other Scouts from all over country. (Sorry most of the photos are from that trip. Glad I got to go with you, even though we hardly saw each other.) ~ Worked on staff at Camp Roosevelt. ~ Completed some difficult climbing routes at the gym. One of those routes you were the third person to complete it after months of practice. ~ Competed in International Rubik's Cube competitions. Of which you came in 16th or better in all the categories' you competed in. ~ Taken on the role of the Order of the Arrow Chapter Chief for Central Highlands. Nobody can ever accuse you of being lazy. You not only push yourself to grow but you inspire others to do the same for themsel...

Six

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 Happy One, What a year it's been. We had some epic snow storms, grew for 7 months to a family of 6 with our Little Miss moving in with us. You started Kindergarten. You learned to ride a bike, fell in love with camping, and we had some Epic Family Adventures that included visiting Niagara Falls, and Boldt Castle. We also had some hard times. I worked out of state quite a bit and we said goodbye to our Little Miss yet again. But you have grown in ways I could not imagine this year. You love with your whole self. You fell deeply and pray freely. One of my favorite things about you is how you will just spontaneously break out in prayer be it supplication or praise it does not matter, you bring all your thought to God. I hope you hold tightly to this habit. Your free giving prayers inspire me to be like you. I love you, and I am grateful to be your Mom. An Interview with your five year old self: What is your favorite color? Rainbow What is something special to you? My fox blanket What...