Saturday, July 16, 2011

Twelve

Francie turns twelve today. 

I know twelve may not seem like a milestone birthday, but I like to think it is.  I guess I like to think of every birthday as a milestone birthday.  At least they are for me.

Twelve can be a difficult age.  For Francie, she is walking a fine line as a twelve year old.  She has one foot firmly pointed in the direction of her adulthood, but her other foot lingers longingly in her childhood. 

Sometimes she needs me to relate to her as the young woman she is becoming, and other times she just wants to play with dolls.  I am often not very adept at telling the difference, but I'm learning.
 
She waffles between a burgeoning smart mouth and her still public declarations of familial affection.  Her father calls her "The Tude" (short for "The Attitude") when the sassiness comes out.  She says she hates the name, but she is laughing when she says it.  She knows we've got her back.

Despite all the growing pains, she's a real keeper.  And even when we seem to be driving each other crazy, she is always seeking to help me.  She is motivated by good -heartedness and I can't ask for more than that.

Happy Birthday, Francie! We love you.


And I'll be there for you
When you need me to be
I'll be the sun at your door
I'll be the wind in your trees
If I've nothin' at all on the surface to see
I'll be the ace up your pretty sleeve

"Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve"
from
Vince Gill's album "These Days" 



4 comments:

  1. You had to get me all weepy so early in the morning? Love the photo with The Tude shirt and that she is willing to wear it. Happy Birthday Francie!!
    P.S.-I think I've finally got the blog-to-facebook name conversion down...it took my sad brain a little while ;)

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  2. Happy Birthday, sweet young thing! Such a doll!

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  3. Happy birthday to her!

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  4. GeeGee8:26 AM

    Happy Birthday to my first "little angel". She is a treasure. She does indeed have a good heart. She has real empathy for anyone who is in pain or suffering. Perhaps her sassiness will serve help her well someday...she may be an advocate for those who are unable to speak for themselves...
    It is a difficult task for a parent to modulate such a bright flame. You always run the risk of extinguishing it.
    I have faith that you and Rob will handle it well as we approach the teen years with our beautiful Francie...

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