Baby Girl turned 20!

Wow. My mind just can't grasp the concept. It was just a little while ago that she was born. I remember the first time I heard her crying desperately, and I couldn't get to her fast enough. I picked her up, and she immediately stopped crying. I just held her and said to myself, "I love her so much!" It was a true bonding moment.

Em has lived so much in her two decades. She was in the paper when she was in elementary school for being the friend to an autistic girl in her class. Em helped her with her language board and played with her at recess. When she was in second grade, she hand drew valentine cards for her entire class. I didn't even know she did it until she was putting them in her backpack the night before.

She loves animals. We used to watch Wild America on PBS, and she could name every animal in the opening credits. She would even say, "That's a Marty Stauffer."

Em has always been a good and loyal friend. That has had it's ups and downs, especially in middle school. She tended to be in the position of being used, because they always knew she would be there. But it was a good learning experience for her. She's since learned boundaries and she's quick to recognize when others get in touch with her just because they want something. That in itself has given her a strong core of friends, one that is healthy and supportive. Middle school is always rough, isn't it?

In high school, Em showed her althletic side. She became keeper on the high school soccer team, and started all four years of high school. One day we heard that the other team was scared of her. We had to laugh at that. All they would have to do was talk to her and they would know she was a big softy! But she played tough, and helped her team out along the way.

Now she's in college. She's always struggled a bit in school, except when she had to write. She's a good writer. That is playing to her advantage now. She's made the Dean's list, and was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for two year colleges. We are so proud of how far she's come! I can't wait to see where this next year takes her. She's got some big steps to take, and she's up to the task.

I love her so much!