Happy Birthday, Amber

Today is Amber's 23rd birthday. Amber is a special granddaughter to us for several reasons. First, she was our first. Second, we were lucky enough that she and her mom lived with us for years after she was born. By then our youngest babies were 10 and 11 and a new baby, then toddler, then child were just what we needed in the family.

Yesterday I interviewed Amber and I've included pictures that may or may not have anything to do with the questions and/or responses. Here's how it went:

You're 23 tomorrow. How does that feel? It feels good. Well not that good because it's one step closer to thirty.

When you were thirteen, could you have envisioned yourself where you are today? Definitely not married with almost three kids already. I pictured finishing college, working, living on my own....

How do you feel about how it's turned out? I'm glad it turned out this way. I definitely wouldn't change a thing.

Are you doing anything special for your birthday? And is there anything special that you're wishing for? I don't think we're doing anything special and I can't think of any special wishes.

How would you describe yourself as a child? Gregarious and outgoing. Definitely not shy. Entertaining and the best toy my aunts and uncles ever had.

As a teenager? Do you have to ask that? Stupid. Dumb. Attitude problems. Didn't listen....may we should skip that. (Note: Amber was a wonderful teenager usually - we all have our ups and downs.)

As an adult? Cheerful, smiley, nice - I think I'm nice. I try to be nice. And I try to be a good mom and a good wife. Happy.

You've been gifted with a beautiful singing voice. Do you see yourelf doing anything with that in the future? No probably not. I think my voice changed when I hit puberty - you just haven't heard it since then.

Is being a mother how you thought it would be? It's not how I thought it would be because I don't think you have any idea what it's like until you are one.

What's most challenging about it? The most challenging aspect is how fast they grow. Also, I find disciplining challenging.

Who might have been the most instrumental in shaping you into the person you are today? Both you and my mom.

So you're pregnant with your third and recently found out that after having two boys, this one is a girl? Are you excited about that? VERY excited!

Do you think there will be a significant difference between raising girls and boys? I think so. Everybody tells me it will be and it already feels different being pregnant with a girl.

How do you think the boys will feel about having a little sister? Jack's very excited. He likes to talk into my belly button to say hi to her and when I say to look at her, he puts one eye up to my belly button to try to see her.

I get the impression that you and Chris have made a conscious decision to have a larger than average family and to have your children close together. Am I right? Yes, because I've always loved growing up in a big family and having lots of aunts and uncles and cousins and I want the same for my kids. AND, I want to have a lot of grandchildren some day.

What's your favorite family activity? When we all play together right at home - just play time as a family.

Where do you see yourself when you're forty? I see myself in a larger house dealing with bigger kids - teenagers and young adults and maybe working by then.

What else might others find interesting about you? I don't think I"m that interesting. Let's see. I hate heat. I have a weiner dog named Peppers. I love driving my big truck. I played Volleyball in high school.

There's so much more to Amber than we talked about here. She may be the single, most loving person I know. She does always try to be nice. She's always a good sport and I can't even picture her being really mad at anybody. And she is finally and foremost - a family girl. She loves both sides of her family completely and unfailingly. She's unselfish and loving and would do anything for anybody. And from the time she could toddle, she's had an affinity for people of all ages - but particularly the elderly. If she saw an old person - she'd go right up and start visiting with him or her. Also she loves cars and dogs and knows all about both of them.

So Amber, here's wishing you the happiest of birthdays. I hope there are birthday wishes that that come true for you even though you haven't thought of them yet. And I hope all your birthdays just get better and better.