Happy Birthday, Paige!

It is hard to believe our youngest daughter is twenty one today. Yes, the years have slipped by so quickly, but what surprises me most is that she and I are still here to tell about it.

Not that she was a difficult child, but the word that best describes Paige is determined. Once she sets her mind to something, she is not going to let it go until it happens.

At her six month well baby check, the pediatrician asked if Paige was sitting alone yet. "No, but she pulls herself up and walks around furniture." She didn't need to sit. At seven months, she only learned to crawl as a way to get up the stairs. By nine months, she was walking on her own and she has been moving full speed ahead since.

Birthdays of your children are a time to reflect on their lives. A time to look back at the growth they have made through the years. In my reflections on Paige's life, I've laughed, I've shaken my head and I've cried. Sometimes all at the same time. Paige is the reason I color my hair.

She has her own quirky sense of style that works for her.

Always has lots of friends around.

And more young men than I can remember.

Until she met Alex.

In November of 2006, her senior year of high school, Paige announced that she and Alex would be getting married before Alex deployed to Iraq in February. I asked that they wait until he got back, but she was determined. And she reminded me that she was 18 and she didn't need our permission. We gave them our blessing and they were married in a court house wedding in December, 2006.

The first eighteen months of their marriage, she continued to live at home, work and attend high school. Following her graduation from high school, she started attending the local community college. It amazes me how well she did through that year and a half. There were a few tears and some complaining but she soldiered through it just as Alex did in Iraq.

Since Alex has returned, they have moved twice without any help from us as we are now 1200 miles away. She is working two jobs, attending school to get her CNA so she can go on to get an LPN, and she is planning a renewal of their wedding vows and a reception for this spring.

She still has me shaking my head, but in amazement of what she is accomplishing. I just burst with pride.

As I look back, I realize her desire to walk so soon was just to get closer to that star for which she has been reaching. I have no doubt that she will grab it one day.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!