Moving into your 20's

Dear little Hallie,

I was so thrilled when you were born.   All 9 lbs 9 oz and 22 inches long of pure perfection.  You arrived at 7:15 pm in the evening.

You already were questioning me, even as a newborn.  Mom, what's for dinner?  And can it be chocolate?

Your siblings adored you, worshiped you,  and dressed you up in all kinds of fun outfits....never a dull moment for them...or you.

You were a very good sport, and even at a very young age, knew you were destined to entertain a crowd.   At 3 years old, you put on a show at the pom camp Lacey was attending, and ended up the mascot her senior year.   You never made it through the pre-show, but you sure looked cute.

You have always been a lover of all things junk and chocolate and sugar, and never was embarrassed to fly that sugar flag high.

I think this is why your legs grew to such unimaginable lengths.  All.  that.  sugar.

At first we were going to make you a dancer.   And after a couple of years of that, we decided that might not be the best thing....for you, or us.   :)  But, as always, you looked adorable doing  your thing.

Then you discovered music, and you were never, ever found in the evenings without a guitar or ukulele in  your hand.   Hannah Montana was new to the scene and you were determined to be the next pop star of the century.   I really think you might have pulled it off.

You took to the stage at the Oklahoma Arts Festival and we couldn't have been more proud of you!  Middle school dream of a pop star .....emerging.....

Then you found volleyball.  And I remember quite clearly the conversation we had, when you were trying to decide if you wanted to play volleyball or pursue your music.  I was team hallie, and was ready to support whichever you decided.   I told you that you could "Be a volleyball player that loves to play music"   or become a "musician who plays volleyball for fun"  because being stellar in both would take so much time.   And you decided, all on your own, that you would play volleyball and just enjoy music.

And boy, did you do both well.

And now, here you are 20 years old and a 2nd year cadet at WEST POINT.  WOW.  Who knew that much sugar consumption by a toddler would create such magnificent results?  Dressing her in Nike headbands and John Lennon glasses?  Who KNEW?

She's now a volleyball player (when she's not concussed, that's a whole 'nother blog)

(And yes, I totally screenshot a snapchat...breaking all laws of snapchat land.  Sue me, I'm a mom looking for crumbs)

..... that still loves to make music, when she has a spare minute.   This was at the library at West Point, on the grand piano.  She hangs out there a lot.   That makes me happy.

Hallie, I am so proud of you.  You are 20 years old, and have already achieved more and conquered more than people twice your age.  You are a wonder, and a scholar (YOU ARE) and I'm proud that you're mine.

SO, in keeping with the whole SUGAR is our friend theme, of course, your sisters and I sent you a COOKIE, and we do love you, even though I'm pretty sure we have never called you "Hail"  (except for that one time in target when you were a tiny tiny baby and I called you "Hailey" and Lacey almost lost it, forgive me.. I was old and had just given birth to a toddler and should not have been allowed in public yet)

So Hail.   We love you.  We adore you.  We crazy as heck about you, girl.  So welcome to your 20's, kid.  The best is yet to come.