My Baby’s All Grown Up

Every parent has cute photos like this of their little ones.  Mine is turning 18 today.  How could this possibly be?

I was convinced in my lifetime that I'd have the all time worst kids.  Why?  Because that's what I deserve.  I put my parent through hell growing up.  To this day, they love me to death but always hoped I'd feel the pain I put them through.  I figured it was fate.  There was no way I'd dodge that in a million years.

Instead, God sent me the most incredible five kids on earth.  On March 30, 1998 one of the all time biggest blessings ever was sent to me and my wife.  A soul like I'd never seen before.  Just the cutest little Hubba Bubba you'd ever seen.  Ireland's the one in blue, on the right and she grew up with a cute, little raspy voice and a heart of gold.  Always thinking of others, doing more than her share, and never a selfish thought in the world.

As she grew up she would do things like... clean the house and dishes while we were gone, sacrifice her time or possessions anytime someone else needed or wanted, and pleased others at all costs.  I remember coaching her soccer team at half time giving the girls instructions and her eyes were locked on every word I said while every other girl could care less about what was going on.

Ireland's finishing up her senior year and will play soccer in the PAC 12 for the University of Utah in a few months.  She's 18 now.  An adult.  Her own personality and individuality has creeped into her actions and life and I love her more now than I ever had.  A true example of a good human being sent here by God to help me through life.  I'm eternally grateful for this blessing.  To me, she'll always be that raspy, tubby girl playing with momma's spaghetti on the floor.

I LOVE YOU BUBBA!