She's Thirteen!

Today my firstborn is THIRTEEN years old!  I'm still trying to come to grips with where the past thirteen years have gone!  I think she has taught me more about myself than I've taught her.  Over the past couple of days I have relived in my mind so many sweet memories and oh. my. goodness. so many mistakes, but God's grace has been there.  He has been so faithful to gently guide this mother!

The weekend celebration actually began on Friday night for Cecily.  She and her daddy went to the Gaither Homecoming concert with a few other people from our church.  Cecily was excited about hearing Mark Lowry.  Since it was so close to Christmas, he sang Mary Did You Know.  She even got to meet him and have her picture taken with him...

She also got to meet several of the other singers there, but the camera was messing up and didn't get pictures with all of them.  She did get to catch a pic with one of the Martins...

On Saturday evening, we took her to Olive Garden to have a birthday dinner.  We were blessed to be seated at a table in an area that was kind of set off to itself.  This is a very good thing when you have a very active almost two year old little girl who was all over the place...

No worries folks about the bottle you see in that first picture!  It is just Bentley's root beer bottle!  Just thought I'd clear that up!  Anyway, thankfully we had a very sweet waitress who was a mom with a three year old and a one year old at home and was very understanding about JennaBeth!

Bentley loves his big sister!  He gives her heck a lot of the time, but he loves her so much and she is so sweet with him! 

And this now thirteen year old has always been a daddy's girl.  They are very close and I am so glad!  

We were getting ready to finish up our dinner and our sweet waitress came to our table and asked us if the manager told us about our bill.  Mike and I looked at each other a little nervous thinking what in the world was going on.  We told her no and she said, "Well someone in the restaurant has taken care of your bill, so you have no bill".  We were floored and very appreciative of this unexpected grace.  The Lord never ceases to absolutely amaze me with His provision!!

We went home and the birthday spanking...

and the presents and the birthday dessert ( I made her Smores Bars, because she loves chocolate)...

took place. 

Cecily,
You can not possibly know how much I love you!  Thank you for teaching me how to be a mommy.  I am so very proud of the young lady you are becoming.  You are very smart and a beautiful person, both inside and out.  Thirteen years ago on this very night, a huge chunk of my heart began beating in yours.  My prayer for you is that you continue to grow in the Lord and that He will grant you a heart of wisdom and understanding as you venture into this new part of your life...your teen years.  
Love you turkey head,
Mommy

Making room for Him,
Jennifer