Happy Birthday to my first born

It may say June 27th on this post but it is really after midnight on the 28th. You were born about 3:00a.m. on June 28th so it is almost officially your birthday. I remember so well the thrill and excitement we had welcoming our 51/2 pound little first born into the world. You were actually due in July on our second anniversary but you thoughtfully decided to come a couple of weeks early. I think you didn't want dad and I to have to share our anniversary with your birthday. I also thought it was thoughtful of you to let me finish my student teaching and dad and I graduate together from BYU just before your birth. Your arrival was perfect timing.

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You have always been a joy to us and to others. If you don't know my Lynell you can check out her blog. Some days it is funny. Some days it is inspirational. Everyday it is uplifting .

http://jacobsondaly.blogspot.com/

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I lost a lot of pictures in the flood we had a couple of years ago so I can't post any from your first year, but I will do my best to tell a little about your life with the pictures I have.

You were a precious baby and captured the hearts of everyone around you.

(Sorry about the quality of these first two picture)

You have always been outgoing and friendly and had confidence in yourself. On your first day of kindergarten I drove you four blocks to school, introduced you to your teacher and told you I would pick you up after school. You told me you wanted to walk home with your friends. I told you that none of your friends came home at noon so I would pick you up. You informed me that you would have plenty of new friends to walk home with by noon..... and you did.

You continued to attract friends and be a leader all through your school years.Whether you were singing and dancing in school musicals or being the captain on the color guard you always did your best and stood out in the crowd. Your friendly, optimistic attitude was contagious.

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In the 80s the company dad worked for went out of business. No one was hiring. The few jobs that were available said your dad was over qualified and over educated and wouldn't hire him. Until he was able to get his credential and start teaching we were having a hard time financially, but you took it in your stride. Instead of complaining and feeling sorry for yourself that you could not get new clothes for school that year, you organized a Deseret Industries and Good Will shopping spree. You took several of your friends ,who's fathers were doctors and lawyers, etc. with you. You made it seem like shopping at DI and Good Will was really a neat thing to do. You all had a great time creating new wardrobes. You even had a "used" clothes fashion show that you and your friends had fun putting on for dad and me. This is just one example of how you tend to make lemonade out of lemons. You always manage to make the best out of difficult situations.

You were a lovely bride inside and out. You found your Dathan during your first year of college. Even though you were barely 19 when you two married in the temple you were ready to take on the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. You have always made your home a beautiful, warm, friendly place that welcomes family and friends.

You have had some very difficult experiences along your life's journey. Each pregnancy was very hard for you because you were always so sick for months. However none was harder than when you were pregnant with Jalen and little Justin, barely 3, caught his arm in the cord of your electric frying pan while you were cooking and pulled the whole pan of boiling oil over on top of his head and hands. Through that terrible ordeal you forgot about how sick you were and stayed by your little son night and day for months. Even though, for a while ,you were in danger of losing him your faith never wavered. During that time I went to be near you. I wanted to be supportive for you but in many ways it was you who was encouraging me.

Through all the therapy and surgeries that followed for years, I marvelled at your faith and courage and optimistic attitude.

You were there through all of Justin's surgeries to comfort him just as you are always a support for all of your children

You can tackle any job you set your heart on. You've become a great photographer and built up your photography business. The children you teach at the dance studio adore you.

You are always there to support each of your children. You spend endless hours driving them to classes and practices. You attend every gymnastic, soccer, ball game, karate and dancing event. Your children feel your love and support.

They are amazing because you are amazing and always there for them.

You are a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. You have always loved the Lord and lived righteously. You are raising a great family. Your friends and family adore you. I am so happy and grateful that I have the privilege of being your mother.

And so my dear Lynell, on this day of your birth I want you to know how thankful I am for you. When you were born I had all sorts of dreams and hopes for you. You have become all that I hoped for and more. Thank you for being such a dear daughter. I hope that this will be a wonderful birthday. I wish that dad and I could be there to give you hugs and watch you blow out your candles. Since we are not, we are sending you (((cyber hugs))). (Of course you may not see this for a while since you just moved to your new home and don't have internet yet.) We both send you lots of love. Happy birthday dear.