Looks Like We Made It!!

I joked with Jaque tonight. I said you cannot go anywhere. That way when you turn 21..... You will be right here with me and your dad. Selfish, you Bet. She laughed. Hadn't planned on going anywhere anyway. Giggling, she said that if she had really wanted to go somewhere, I would have not minded. She is right, we have come a long way in 21 years. It started as a nervous night. Chris had just graduated. Me, it was the summer of my senior year. We had failed to be smart, and wait. But chris gathered the courage to come with me to tell our parents. I will never forget my dAds words..he said "you don't HAVE to marry her" Lol. Chris said, no I want to marry her. Funny now, but I cannot imagine what my parents were thinking. Now this was 1990. It was uncommon. But we made it work. With lots of help from Mimi Kay and grandma Donna, I made it through high school with good grades. Chris worked for my dad. Failure was not an option. We might have started our family too soon, but that would be the only regret we would have concerning our family. Jaque fought hard to get into this world. The morning I went into labor, they put me in a room to wait. As I laid there hurting, they decided to put a monitor on her. As we watched the monitor motion her heart beat....we listened to our new world waiting to arrive. And our little girl was in trouble. The heart beat and the monitor did not match, she had slowed breathing and the room went into overdrive. All I remember is that she was coming on strong, and soon i would have a Cody Wade.yes, I was having a boy! They handed Chris a huge stack of papers to sign, and rushed me in for a emergency c section. In the true sense of the word, knock mom out.....start cutting. I awoke about three hours later to learn that Cody did not arrive as planned. Instead my world with Jaque Renee' began. In true Jaque style, she mastered everything in life quickly. Walking, talking, climbing on refrigerators, etc.. If it could be done in record time, she was determined to do it. we soon realized that we did not have a girl that wanted bows and sweaters, yes.. We had a little tomboy. Couldn't have drawn her better myself. School was just a thing that kept her... But she has always been born to be on the go. She has always love to be busy,but the best times have been with her dad. little sahara, 4wheeling, hunting, fishing, frog gigging, fire building, swimming, wake boarding, anywhere he went, so did she. Then mom, yes I understand my place, and I love it. Food, clothing, and clean shelter. A shoulder to cry on every now and then....and I honestly feel like the luckiest woman on earth for it. In the few times that Jaque has been in trouble in her life, dad is what she wanted. A collision between first and pitchers mound between her and Dakota white... Where is my daddy? In trouble at school for hitting boys....just wait until I tell my daddy! Jeep stuck in mud....daddy?!? And the night of her wreck.... Just don't let me die dad, just don't let me die! Yes, it was a tear jerker, but she said dad don't let me die and I am gonna be ok, you just don't let me die. That's her, he held up his end, and Lordy...she is holding up hers. I am so proud of the spot we are tonight. I have a almost 21 year old daughter that I love. And she loves us. We speak hourly...we eat almost ever meal together. We talk, we witness to each other. She is single and she knows exactly what her next boyfriend will be expected to be like. Yes, like her daddy. She is an Imperfect girl that loves to have fun, but is learning what fun really is. She is learning that when kids look up to you, you are the example that they want to be when they grow up. She knows that God is #1 and she is second. She is not afraid to admit what God has done for her, and not afraid to step up in defense of others. She always forgives those who have wronged her, and thinks that anyone can change if they really want. She gives second, third, etc chances and believes the best in people. She admit when she is wrong, and knows she is not perfect. She knows God is working on her and she is gearing up for the challenge. She believes in herself, but more importantly has the ability to make others around her be lifted up. I could go on for hours, but in the list that I could write on "what I want my child to be at 21" she pretty much blows my list away. I could not be any more proud and humbled that God chose me to be her mother. And that he picked chris for her dad. Life is a gift from God. my relationship with my daughter in these 21 years has been more than I ever dreamed it would be. I have not doubt that she will achieve all her dreams through Christ, he gives her her strength. May she be blessed for the rest of her days, may God reveal a wonderful man for her, and may she share her story with others...changing lives along the way. If you are reading this and want that kind of relationship with your child, it is not something to envy. It is simple, make God #1 and put your kids above everything else and directly in his hands. The Lord will pave your path, you just have to have the courage and strength and dedication to follow it. Happy happy birthday baby! I love you!