Happy Birthday Ang

Thirty-six years ago was one of the best years of my life. One reason only, my first child was born.

I'm not sure the excitement of being a first time mom can be put into words. It's like no feeling in the world when that baby is placed in your arms for the first time. Everything else is reduced to nothing.

First excitement then exhaustion. You laugh, you cry, you smile, you finally breathe normally.

Angie was indeed a beautiful baby. I know, you're thinking oh all first time mothers think that, but she really was a beauty. Perfect round face, 8 lbs 5 oz, 19 inches long, just a little butterball. She's still short but the baby fat has definately disappeared. She's now 5'4" (she says anyway) and there's not an ounce of fat on her. She is a personal trainer in addition to a day care provider.

Her website is listed on the left hand side of this site in case anyone is interested in some excellent fitness tips and help with gettng in shape. She has helped many accomplish their goals. There are pictures of before and after on her site and they are amazing.

She has also been an inspiration to many young people through the years. I think the first children she provided a loving environment for are probably in high school. That was in Aberdeen, SD. She nows provides the same environment for young children in Colorado.

I have observed her role as day care provider and it is amazing what she accomplishes. She is organized beyond belief (unlike her mother I'm afraid), she accomplishes so much in a single day and provides so much love to the children she watches (I'll take a little bit of credit for her day care accomplishments because if I hadn't provided her with all those younger sisters and brothers she wouldn't have gotten so much experience which I'm sure made her want to go into that field right??) and incentive to the adults she trains.

In addition she designs websites and was the one who encouraged me to start this blog.

I am so very proud of her. From the very first time I held her in my arms to this day she has made me laugh. There were times she made me cry also, don't all kids?? She has always believed I could accomplish more than I ever thought I could and continues to encourage me daily.

For this Angie, I want to thank you. I also want you to know that I have loved you and still feel that sense of excitement each and every time you reach another of your goals.

So thank you Ang for everything you have provided in my life.

Your smile...
Your support...
Your love...
Your babysitting your siblings... (most of the time)
Your loving nature...
Your encouragement...
Your house cleaning... (boy my house would have been a disaster without her)
Your always being there for all of us...

Know that you are loved so very much...
Know that you have a support system here... (and in Watertown, Bruce, Brookings, White and Wodbury)
Know that we miss you every day...
Know that I thank God for September 5, 1972 often, how that day changed my life...

Hope I haven't embarassed you, but if I did, you are the one who started me writing this thing.

Thought for the day .... Appreciate family, they are the most important things you will ever have. Remember the good things, forget the not so good.

PS to the rest of my children ... you will get your turn, I promise.