Happy Birthday Kendra!

My dear "Chuck Pluck",

As I sift through the thousands of pictures that I have of you (to pick from for this post), my heart hurts. My first baby is not a baby anymore! I giggled at most of them because of how silly you always are when it comes to pictures. You've always loved taking pictures, but loved being IN the pictures even more! "I wanna see, Mom! I wanna see! Can I see Mommy?"I can't believe you are 10! Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday when your dad and I slept in our little apartment, and when I woke up I found my water had broken. It was time to become a Mommy. You made me a Mommy! Thank you for that. Then parenthood started and what fun we have had with you! You are so smart, inquisitive, creative, talented, musical, friendly and so, so helpful. You are a great example to your brothers and sister and they all look up to you so much. I just know that you were kicking to the front of the line in heaven to be the first one down here. I'll bet it was because you wanted to get here to help name your siblings. Remember when you wanted to name one "Dumbledore and call him Dumb for short"? You were a grumpy baby, but it was only because you wanted to move all the time. You have never wanted to be tied down EVER and your everyday question growing up was and still is, "Mom, what are we going to do fun today?" Never settled enough to sit at home, you are a go-getter! That is why it is so exciting to see where you will go in life. So keep singing at the top of your lungs like you do and dance to your heart's content, all the way through this befuddled life. That is your spirit and your spirit is beautiful. Spread your sunshine to everyone around you. There is nothing more beautiful than your smile. I know there are times when we hit heads on things, but above all, please know that Mommy loves you always, forever and no matter what!

Happy Birthday sweetheart.
I love you,
Mommy