{8}

Today my sweet and beautiful step daughter turns 8 years old. I became her step mommy when she was 5. I was terrified. What if she didn't like me? Will I be a good step mom? What am I suppose to do? I didn't know anything about being a mom and when I married Brad, I didn't just gain a husband, I gained a beautiful daughter. Even though she lives 1800 miles away, she makes me feel like I'm right next to her. Telling me about her day, introducing me to her newest animal (first, middle, and last name Tesch of coarse), reading stories on the phone to her brother and sister, tells me she loves me and tells me she's glad that I'm her step mommy.

My husband flies to Kansas every couple months to visit her and she comes here to visit us. Right now he's in Kansas celebrating her birthday with Laney's Mom's side of the family. I wish I could be there to celebrate with them, but I absolutely can't wait to see her big beautiful smile in just a few weeks.

To celebrate her turning 8, I'd like to share 8 things that I love about her.

1. She is so smart, one of the smartest in her class. She is also the tallest :)

2. She has such a personality and sense of humor. Her jokes are so funny.

3. She is so beautiful inside and out. She is a perfect mixture of her mom and dad. Its so funny to me that her and Brad make the exact same faces. I'm so in love with both of their little faces.

4. I love it when she blows me kisses over the phone, especially the doggy kisses that get my face all wet through the phone.

5. I love what a wonderful big sister she is. She chose Lily's name and she shares her middle name Anne with her. She reads stories to them and tells her how much she loves them.

6. I love her ideas. She is so creative.

7. I love her artwork. She has decorated 1/2 of our house with her master pieces.

8. I love how she taught me to be a step mommy.

Laney Bug....I can't begin to tell you how much you changed my world. How much I love being in your life and being your step mom. It is such an astonishing privilege to be a part of your life.

I didn't have the privilege of making her into the strong, smart young lady that she turned out to be today, but I hope that I can be. Annie and Brad did an amazing job of being parents to her and friends with each other. I am grateful to be included and to follow in the grace of watching her grow and seeing the path along the way with their daughter.

Happy Birthday Sweet girl. I love you all the way to everywhere and back.