Happy Birthday Sweet girl! (October 21)

I'm going to admit, this isn't the birthday I've looked forward to.  Our sweet girl is 18!  What, an adult?! Do you ever think of your kids as adults?  I'm starting to think not.  Leah was the sweet baby that taught us how to be parents.  Leah was the baby I brought home and cried and prayed I wouldn't mess her up.  Who told me I was fit to be a parent?  What did I know about parenting? 
Leah was the toddler that told us and showed us she was going to pave her own way.  We had our battles, and our goal was to train her without breaking her spunky spirit.  We learned some amazing parenting tactics with help of great friends and family. 

Leah got to 8-10 years old and we could start to reason with her.  We could explain if you do something, this is the consequence.  Sometimes she'd choose the consequence with a smile on her face.  Gotta love her for it. 
Teenage years were better than we imagined. She's been a delight.  I told someone recently, "I would freeze time right now, if I could."  But I can't.  I don't want her to grow up.  I selfishly want her to stay home, by us, forever.  To enjoy life and not have to grow up. 

But reguardless our sweet sweet girl is 18!!!  She's finishing up her Senior year and heading to college.  She's aware I will be a hot mess (actually the hot mess started when she started school this year.)  I just love her SOOOOOO much!!!  With that, she will tell me to stop typing and get a grip!

So  HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY SWEET SWEET LEAH!!   Thank you for everything you have taught us!  We look so forward to many years of memories and teachings!