How is our child 21 when we are only 25?!?!

Yep.  Our daughter turned 21 this month.  The little 6 pound baby that we had NO clue what to do with has grown up into the most beautiful human being. It's my opinion that when your children hit adulthood (18+) and think about those next steps in their life, you're hopeful that you did things right.  They are ready to launch, do things on their own, make adult decisions, and move on from needing you as much.  I realize that means something different for everyone and every family.  Your adult kids move out, get married, get full time jobs, or decide to move forward with their education....whatever their pathway is, you want good things for them.  Child 1 for us was KARSON.  She was always a child that grew up and matured way beyond her age.  Her early years in elementary school, she excelled in every area, usually off the charts, "gifted," being a part of 212 Academy in 4th grade and a leader.  She was academic but also very athletic.  She tried out sports like dance, softball, gymnastics, volleyball, and basketball.  She was artistic.  At WKU, she participated in Super Saturdays. She tried her hand acting with PTK and Skypac summer camps. Piano lessons were part of her routine for a few years as well.  Karson was a never a kid that required a lot of social engagement but had lots of good friends, was well liked be her teachers and peers.  Conflict and drama was rare for her.  Humility was evident.  I never heard her brag to others about her grades or achievements in school or sports.  In fact, one of my favorite sports interviews she gave was her senior year in basketball where she said she was never a person that liked all the attention and never asked to be a "hero" as the only senior on the team.  

I say all this to say that we are proud of her.  College and moving away has not be easy.  Her freshman year was fresh and new and exciting.  It was rare for her to come home.  Isaac is having this current experience at EKU.  Home gets more inviting the longer you are in college.  Sometimes you just want to be taken care of and get a little extra love.  Louisville is still treating her well, but the grind of school and life gets old.  She has overcome a lot this year mainly recovering from a major surgery, a tearful breakup, and starting nursing school which is terribly difficult.  

For her 21st birthday, I wanted something extra special to make her feel loved the way that I know she is LOVED.  I solicited the help of many family and friends for this project.  My goal was to create a 21st Birthday Book filled with pictures and special messages from people who LOVE her.  

My favorite pages are those with her nursing cohort - It warmed my heart receiving all of these, and it was such a joyful moment being able to surprise her with it.

Her dad's post and notes always make me tear up.  This duo is the sweetest.

She's handled adulthood well and with dignity. I'm proud that she has joined some additional groups like CHARGG Louisville which is a workout group, and others specific to her program.  Additionally, she was hired as a PCA at Norton's hospital over the summer and enjoys the hands on experience it has brought her.  The paychecks aren't too bad either.

While she wasn't home for her birthday weekend, she did get spoiled by some friends at Big Bad Breakfast in Louisville.  She chose to wait until this weekend to come home so she could get her official new REAL ID (appointment tomorrow).  A peanut butter pie has been requested, and I am also thinking some margaritas from El Mazatlan are in the mix.

Her actual birthday week/weekend, we did some other celebrating kicking off the Tuesday prior at Mister B's Pizza celebrating Miles's 17th birthday on Tuesday, the 17th.  Matt wrote another long tear jerker note to him.  He's a gifted writer and says exactly what I think and feel as well.

Isaac came in town over the weekend.  It's always a treat seeing him, and I soak up those "adult" moments because he is growing up so quick "colleging."

Mom had planned to have everyone come over for lunch on Sunday to celebrate our Uncle Mike and Miles as well.  We love all of our fall birthday celebrations.  Up next in November is Meme, Nana and Matt!!!