Friday, February 22, 2008

Before You Know It

Yesterday found our family having to lay aside grief mode for our beloved Licorice and putting on happy, party mode. We now officially have a new adult in the house. And that sentence still feels like it doesn't quite fit. It's going to take some getting used to. Okay, a lot of getting used to. Our Kay turned 18 yesterday! Eighteen! I can hardly believe it. She can actually vote on March the 3rd in our provincial election.

I promised myself that I would not do one of those sappy, "Wasn't it just yesterday" posts. But I'm breaking my promise. I'm definitely doing a sappy, "It seems like just yesterday" post. Just for you, Kay. So grab a cup of coffee and bear with me.

It seems like just yesterday that I was waking up hubby to tell him I thought it was time. And he, in his asleep state, was asking if he had time to take a shower first. Ummm, no.

It seems like just yesterday when the new Daddy was having to play his guitar every single night to get our brand new babe to calm down during her evening periods of colic.

It seems like just yesterday when we were shocked you were already sitting up by yourself at 4 months. And walking at 10 months. And throwing blankets on your head and running wily nily around house giggling as we tried to catch up with you before you crashed.

It seems like just yesterday you were putting together puzzles way to difficult for your age group and teaching yourself to read at age 4.

It seems like just yesterday you were going to playschool and you never looked back. Literally. You were never afraid to try new things, go new places. Giving your mom a goodbye kiss and a wave as you went on to your new adventure. It was me that wanted to cling to you and instead went and broke down in the car.
It seems like yesterday you were in your first Sunday School performance. I can still remember it clearly.

It seems like just yesterday we could not get you out of a dress for anything. No matter the activity or the weather. Boy whatever happened to those days? Now we can't get you into a dress for next to anything. Except maybe grad. ;v)

It seems like just yesterday you made your first tower jump in diving in grade 4 and made your first basket on the girl's grade 5/6 team.

It seems like just yesterday you went to youth group for the first time, that you went to your first youth conference without me.

It seems like just yesterday we put you on the bus that took you 6 hours away for 3 weeks while you attended missions school.

And I could go on forever down memory lane, remembering all your wonderful childhood. But that will be for me to do in my heart on my own. I feel a pot of coffee, box of kleenex and photo album time coming on.

Now here we are facing a whole new set of firsts with you. You've gone from a bold, adventurous, smart little girl and grown into a beautiful, young woman, still adventurous, but with a good head on your shoulders, desiring to do what the Lord calls you to. We're so very proud of you and love you so much. Happy, happy birthday, Kay!



From the frilliest, poufiest, laciest frou frou dress in your closet to simple elegance, your tastes have changed a touch in dresses but regardless you are, and always will be, my beautiful daughter!

22 comments:

Donnetta said...

Stop! Now you've got me tearing up! My oldest will turn 12 this Sunday am I'm having a hard time. 18!!?! I know it will be here "before I know it"!. :-)

Happy Birthday to your daughter!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet post! I love the frou-frou dress. :-)

Happy Birthday to your Kay!

Susie said...

This is a perfect birthday post for your daughter. She sounds so special! I get sappy just thinking that I will be in your shoes with my daughter in several years.

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

Happy Birthday to Kay
well done Susanne shes turned into a beautiful caring adult
Jen

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

That was just what I needed to hear today! I'm so sleep deprived it's funny (I'm a bit crazy by now:)! But this was a great reminder to treasure every minute with my little ones! Even in these tired years!

Happy Birthday Kay.... you are a beautiful young woman on the outside and from what your Mom says, your even more beautiful on the inside, which is true beauty!

Anonymous said...

Ahh Susanne you have a gorgeous daughter. May God bless her with His beauty inside and out! Congratulations on this new era of your motherhood!

Laura said...

What a beautiful tribute to a darling girl. Happy Birthday Kay!!

Islandsparrow said...

Happy Birthday to your girl - my baby and only daughter turns 18 in Sept.
*sniff*

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty - that is a hard thing to have to do.

Beck said...

She's a beautiful girl - happy birthday to her! And good work, Susanne.

Faith said...

You are making me get tears in my eyes and my oldest is only 14!!!!! This was beautiful. Happy Birthday to your daughter! LOVE the dresses!!

Barb said...

Playing the guitar for the baby at night, to soothe her, is about the sweetest thing I've ever heard, Susanne.

I know yesterday was difficult, but I'm glad you all set aside your sadness to celebrate Kay's big day. Eighteen is a huge milestone.

The difference in the two photos is amazing, isn't it? Are you surprised how quickly those 18 years flew by? I sure was.

A belated happy birthday to Kay.

Anonymous said...

My Amanda turns 18 this july! Where does the time go? happy birthday!

Rochelle said...

Okay... I need tissue. And lots of it. This was so sweet.

Cyndi said...

Okay, you said to get coffee before reading, but I should've grabbed the tissues, too. This was such a precious post! She is just beautiful. And she sounds just as gracious and beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Happy, happy birthday Kay!

gail@more than a song said...

Oh that's so sweet Susanne...I hope Kay had a wonderful birthday! She's beautiful! It does pass so fast doesn't it, but such fun times that you wouldn't trade for anything.

PastormacsAnn said...

Happy Blessed Birthday to you Kay. What a lovely young lady you are.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Oh, I had checked back here before this was posted. Well, Mom, this is ultimate goal of all we do for them when they're little; we just don't realize it then. You're so busy getting from moment to moment that you don't realize you're slowly teaching them to grow up and be independent of you. It's all bittersweet. Please wish her a belated hbd for me.

Hen Jen said...

you've got me tearing up too! My oh my, it goes by so fast...

Happy Birthday to Kay!

and, good job- mom and dad!

Anonymous said...

Awww oh my I'll be it seems like yesterday that she was a little one.

Hugs and blessings and happy birthday to your daughter.

Ms. Kathleen said...

Oh My! Time does go so quickly. Isn't it funny how we mothers seem to remember those little details about our children growing up.

You have such a beautiful daughter!

God Bless!

GiBee said...

Happy belated birthday, Kay!!!

Where does the time fly!?

Lisa Spence said...

Happy, happy birthday to your beautiful girl, oops I mean young woman!