Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Today my daughter turns 18. I've heard the countdown for weeks now. She's very excited because she said she can now do all the things she couldn't do before. When I asked exactly what that entailed, she responded with the following:

1. I can drive past midnight. (True, but she still has our midnight driving curfew!)

2. I can have more than one under 18 passenger.

3. I can stay at Valley View past 6:00pm.

4. I can play with the puppies at the mall.

5. I can carry pepper spray.

I can live with that list, and am thankful she didn't add, buy cigarettes, lottery tickets, or get a tattoo!

Anyone who reads this blog knows how proud I am of her. I am blessed to have a daughter like her. Happy Birthday Baby...no matter how old you get, you're always going to be our little girl, but remember legally I'm no longer "responsible" for you, so here's some motherly advice:

Make sure your future decisions are wise and stay out of trouble with the law.

Listen to your inner voice. If something doesn't feel "right" it probably isn't.

Don't do anything just to "fit in." Be a leader, not a follower.

Not that I think you would, but never get a tattoo in a place where it would stop you from getting a good job. Remember they might look "cool" when you're young, but twenty years from now they won't. And if you do get one, make sure it's never a man's name! You'll feel stuck with him forever.

In fact, never, never make a man your center of attention.

Make sure you could always support yourself without any man's help.

Don't rush into having babies, especially to "keep a man." That never works, it's not fair to the children, and you will miss out on your life. When the time is right for you to become a mother, hopefully after you're well established and have done quite a bit of travelling, remember the children always come first.

If a man ever talks down to you, tries to stop you from seeing your family and friends, or dares to put his hands on you, run, don't walk away. And then call me and Daddy! No matter how old you get, we'll always be there for you, as long as you allow us to be part of your life.

Never let anyone tell you you can't do something. The stars are there for everyone, just don't expect to be handed one, reach for them!

Value true friendships, they're hard to come by, and deserve to be kept. But, if someone hurts you intentionally, move on. Their loss.

May the rest of your life be filled with smiles like the one you're sporting here...