It was such a beautiful day 18 years ago when Janelle came into my life.  It was one of those crisp autumn days with bright sunshine and a hint of breeze; a perfect day for walking and walking and walking during labor.  I was sent home from the hospital in the morning because there were no beds available that day and I had a way to go.  So, Bryan, my mom and I walked.    We locked ourselves out of our house and Bryan had to break in and then after hours of walking, we had to rush to the hospital.   I wasn’t sure I’d even make it there, but I did and then I had this beautiful, beautiful baby girl.   Almost immediately, she was her own personality.  She never liked to be held too much and weaned herself way before I was ready.  We couldn’t believe that her blue baby eyes just got bluer and bluer and her hair was light and curly.  Oh, she was the prettiest little thing.  She was a bit shy and so when she was “discovered” in a grocery store and asked to come audition for a Charmin commercial, she just couldn’t do it.   She never has liked all that attention; still doesn’t.  She faced a challenge early on after being diagnosed with congenital hip dysplasia.  You can see in the pictures in the top and second row, her brace and then her body cast.  She’s not smiling a lot in those pictures, but God touched her and healed her.  The body cast was to be on for 6 to 9 months and after only 6 weeks and a desperate praying momma, she was corrected enough to go back in a brace.  God has such love for this girl!   

So, my baby is 18 today.  I am so proud of her.  She does not even see how much she has going for her and how bright with promise her future is.  She has always had to forge her way with determination and persistence and God has opened up great doors for her to show her how He loves her and how He has gifted her.  She is a funny, creative, compassionate and beautiful young woman.  I love my Janelle.  Happy birthday my girl!