Thirteen years ago today, our oldest daughter was born. We now have a teenager in the house. It feels like December 30th, 2006 was yesterday. I was in my first teaching job. I ended up on bed rest for blood pressure issues. On December 29th, I had taken my blood pressure and it was high. I tried all the home remedies to get it to come down, but it wouldn't work. The doctor suggested I come in and soon after that, we were headed to the hospital to be induced. By 1:00 the next morning, she was here. Harlee Kathleen.
She used to wear athletic shorts and a tank top when at all possible. She's growing up now though and chooses a dress or skirt often. She still prefers to be working out or playing basketball, hunting or throwing a softball around. Harlee is the best big sister. She and the other girls have their "sibling moments", but she wants peace and happiness for them both more than anything else. She is a great cousin and a good friend. She is mature beyond her years in many ways. Harlee loves Jesus and loves others.
I'm having a hard time believing that our little freckled-face firstborn is 13, but we're trying to enjoy every second we have her in the house.
There are hard days and there are wonderful days. As I read yesterday -- the best part of parenting is watching your children grow up...and the hardest part of parenting is watching your children grow up. I thank God for my Harlee-girl and pray that His Will is done through her. Reminiscing at the farmhouse this morning, Hannah ❤️🏡❤️
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Yesterday, my Harlee-girl and I spent the day together. She slept in while I got my morning routine finished, then I woke her up to head to the school. I had a few things I needed to get organized before staff and students came back today. After a few hours in my office, we grabbed some lunch and went to get pedicures...the last little treat for her 12th birthday. She decided on a manicure and I got my toes done. When we were finished, there was time for her to spend a gift card that she got for Christmas and to pick up my WalMart grocery order, before heading to get our eyebrows waxed and my hair cut. Here’s a little before & after of the eyebrows...her first experience having them waxed! I took off my tennis shoes and peeled off my socks...or tried to.
But they were STUCK to my big toes. “Oh no. This is not good.” I thought. Sure enough...my toes had not been dry when I put my socks and shoes back on at the nail salon. No worries though...I think they’re fine. Just a little added texture. It was December 29, 2006.
I had been on bed rest for almost three weeks. Mr. Farmhouse and I had headed up to the doctor's office because I couldn't get my blood pressure to go down at home, no matter what I tried. We got to the office and the nurse checked it again. My doctor came in. "Your blood pressure's not going down...I'm just going to send you guys on over to the hospital and we'll induce today." I wasn't due until January 18th, so I will admit that this came as a bit of a shock to us. We headed over to the hospital and prepared to welcome our first baby girl into the world. Very early the next morning...December 30th, 2006...she was born. Harlee Kathleen. She was, and still is, all we could have ever dreamed of. She loves basketball and hunting, reading and farming. She is the best big sister to Claire & Mattie. She speaks kind words and encouragement to those around her. Her smile lights up the room. She is a leader. I know I'm hard on her. I hold her to a very high standard and put a lot of pressure on her to be an example to those around her. She is harder on herself than I could ever be. Happy, happy 12th birthday, my dear sweet Harlee-girl. We cannot imagine our lives without you. ❤️ |
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