Hubby's Birthday Letter

Dear Cam,
What an incredible year! July 17th is one of my favorite days of the year because we celebrate the birth of an amazing man. Yes, you! I am so proud of the husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, and doctor you have become. Taking cupcakes to work last week was so much fun for the kids and I because we got to see you in your element and everyone loves you SO much at the office. As I drove away I just swelled with pride. What you do and the things you have accomplished are immensely important.

I have loved you for so long that I can't remember a time when I didn't love you. It seems so natural to love you like waking up in the morning is natural. It hasn't always been easy and we have definitely had our struggles, but we fought to hang on during the tough times and look at us now. A happy family (most of the time).

One of my favorite things about you is your ability to forgive and I have certainly needed that in our 17 years of being together. Your patience and understanding have made me and everyone around you better people. I also love how easy it is to laugh with you. You've always brought a smile to my face. Of course, you also have an inane ability to drive me insane with your lack of time management, but who can be perfect?

I remember the first time I saw you in Coach Karnowski's preface B class our freshmen year in high school. Instant crush! I still get butterflies when you come in from work or you're meeting me somewhere and I look up and there you are with your beautiful smile. Thank you for being the love of my life!

I am grateful that you are my husband even when you are driving me insane. I love you, Cam Pico. You lead this family the way God calls you to lead and that is a true blessing. You are one of the most involved fathers I know (it hasn't always been that way due to training, but you certainly are making up for lost time). What lucky kids to have a dad like you. You are an amazing husband that would rather stay in and watch a movie than go out with the "boys". You have no idea how much that means to me. You take care of me when I have my headaches (which is a lot lately). You let me vent when I need to and reign me in when needed (I hate it when you do that, but later I'm always appreciative).

Your birthday has passed, but I still wanted to write a birthday letter since everyone is getting one this year. I hope you enjoyed your special day. I appreciate you and all you do for this family. Thank you!

Just put "Pooter" on a Plane

My baby is gone. I watched her get on a plane this morning and take off in a big, clear, blue sky headed "home". Annie is spending the next 7 days in Birmingham, AL with family and friends. I say she is headed home because her heart will always be in AL where she started school, made her first best friends, and started a very special, successful life.

Who would have thought 13 years ago that the tiny little, bawling baby would have grown into one of the most interesting, intelligent, beautiful young women I have ever met?

And now she is on her "own" for the next week. I can only imagine she enjoyed her alone time on the plane reading and listening to her music. She was loaded up with gum, candy, and her fav bque chips! I teared up in the airport as she was waiting to board and she looked over at me and smiled her most genuine smile saying "I'll be fine, Mom. I'm excited!". It's not her I was worried about. I quickly wiped my tears and gave her a hug that lasted a minute too long for her. She slept in our room on the floor the night she left, starting out in our bed. The 3 of us laid in bed talking about all the fun she would have and all our memories of the friends she would be seeing. I wish I was going with her!

For the next 7 days, "Pooter" will stay up as late as she wants, meet with "old" friends, giggle, swim, probably talk about boys, hopefully not giving me a second thought. I know Cam asked her to keep her cell with her and call us every night. He did that for my sake! This growing up thing is hard and I wish I could slow it down, but it's here and we'll meet it head on.

I'm a mom and I'll always be her mom even if she's 1200 miles away. I miss her already and the house seems a little quieter without her. I'll try not to worry and think of this as preparation for when she heads to college in 5 years. I can't think of that now. I'll just take the next week one day at a time.