Has it only been 16 years???

Has it only been sixteen years since this little sunshine-girl walked into our lives?

 But it was...16 years ago, we met our Jackie for the very first time.

So much has happened, and so much has changed. Some things haven't. She still makes this "Popeye" face...

Now she's all grown up and poised to step out into the world with her Lucas. 

The day we met Jackie, she was playing in a yard full of neighborhood kids and cousins. She stepped out of the crowd and into our hearts. She was a blond-haired, green-eyed pixie with a fun and spunky personality. It used to scare me how Jackie dove into life head-first and full-speed! She had such an exuberance for trying new things! Along the way, she got the bumps, bruises, and broken bones as evidence of that exuberance. lol

Now she's a tall, lovely young woman with a fun and spunky personality and a joi de vie (joy of living) that is all her own. 

She's filled our home with love, laughter, friends, noise, and fun. She's filled my heart in a way that's all her own and for which I am grateful beyond measure.

They say that a daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. I am doubly blessed to have two daughters who have grown up to be two of my best friends.

Jackie walked into our family and filled a space we didn't even realize was there until she filled it so seamlessly. The last 16 years have gone by much too quickly, but oh, how grateful I am that we have had this lovely ray of sunshine to bless our lives this long.

J has definitely kept us on our toes and made being parents an adventure. I'm grateful for that, and look forward with great anticipation to see where life takes her and what further adventures she and Lucas can dream up for themselves.

Happy Anniversary, J. We love you with all our hearts.