Another March Birthday (Blog that forgot to get posted)

Exactly a week after I reached the "40 mark," my darling daughter decided it was time for her to turn 12! Could it really be that it's been 12 years since that day her daddy and I went to Baptist East hospital in Memphis to wait for her to be born? Since the date was chosen (I was induced), we expected a long wait, but she had other plans. She came quickly and is still shaking things up in our house today! :) She's been one of the easier Sipes kids to raise so far because she is not strong-willed like the odd-numbered kids have been. However, this being her first year of middle school AND just being an emotional female, she is definitely making herself known in our home daily. Drama? Yes. Trouble? Not so much. She makes us smile and her daddy and I are so proud of the lady she is becoming. She is growing so quickly (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) and sometimes dad has trouble accepting it. We're determined not to rush things but I don't think it's an issue with her. She likes herself, her girlfriends, her books, her music, her clothes, her new bike, and not boys yet. We're good! :) She may be quiet around adults, but I'm told that she isn't with her friends; and she for sure isn't when she gets home from school. I love it that she tells me what's going on in her life. I hope it stays that way. Even though she and I are very different, which frustrates both of us many days, we love each other. We don't embarrass each other. We usually enjoy each other's company. And last night we chose to make a late night trip to Walmart to buy her birthday present. It was her official birthday but not her party-day. That's tomorrow, when we will have 7 loud, giggling 11 & 12 year olds over for a sleepover! So yesterday we went and picked out a new bike for her. It has been years since she got a new one and with spring arriving, it seemed like the right gift. (Plus, she had hinted that she wanted one but was afraid she couldn't have one.) Apparently, stopping by McD's for a late-night snack of french fries, the late-night trip to Walmart, a special dessert for the after-school snack, and all the attention she received at school from friends made it "feel like my birthday. Remember how last year it didn't feel like my birthday since I didn't have my party ON my birthday? Getting all my wishes granted today helped. . .from YOU!" Then she looked over at me in the car and I realized I had done something right! Woohoo! I pumped my fist in the air! Birthday girl is happy and so is her mom!!

Schaeffer plays ball

"Hi, This is Derrick and I'm Schaeffer's coach for t-ball this summer. Just wanted to see if he could be at practice at . . ." Jason and I shook our heads while listening to this message on our answering machine a week ago. What?!? Schaeffer, our baby, has a COACH?? We laughed! It sounded so funny to us. Yes, we did sign Schaeffer up to play his first season of t-ball, and yes, we had bought him a mitt, but it still sounded so "big boy-ish" to us. Last night was our 3 year old's first ball game ever and I was so proud. Proud that he batted each time like he was supposed to do.

Proud that he ran the bases when he was coached. Proud that although he wanted to stay in the dugout and play in the ice cooler, he put on his glove and chased many balls.

Proud that he waited until the inning was over to run pet the dog. Proud that he stood up on the field instead of rolling around in the grass, like others on his team. :) It's the small steps towards growing up that are fun to watch as mom of this increasingly independent, 5th in line, 3-year-old child of mine.