Jenna Corinne

Today is Jenna's 14th birthday.

She was born by emergency c-section in South Bend almost exactly 5 weeks earlier than expected.

Jenna is a very important part of this large family.

And a very important part of this smaller, large family.

And a very important part of this small family.

Last night I interviewed Jenna via telephone.  Here's how it went.

Hi Jenna!  How are you?  Good.  lol

Are you excited for your birthday tomorrow?  Yeah!  Why?  I don't know.  Because I like it when it's my birthday.

Are you looking forward to being 14?  Sort of.

Why sort of?  Because I like being young.

Do you have any special plans for your birthday?  I think we're just going out to eat.  Do you get to choose the place?  Yep!  I'll probably choose Max & Erma's.  I like their food and they have a sundae bar.

What grade are you in?  8th

Do you like school?  Yes  What do you like best about it?  Seeing my friends.

What's not so hot?  It's boring.  How are your grades?  They're good.

What's your favorite subject?  They're all equal.  I just don't like Math.

What do you like to do in your spare time?  Crafts and stuff.

What's your favorite sport?  Softball

What position do you play?  Pitcher and second base.

I hear you're on a new team.  Well it's not really different than the teams I've been on because I'm with the same people.  We're just in a new league.

Are you looking forward to the coming softball season?  Yes, a lot!

How often do you practice?  Twice a week.  And how often do you play?  All the time - in the Spring and in the Summer......and in the Fall.

How did you like your holiday week in Gulf Shores?  It was awesome being with family and going to the beach and going to all the cool restaurants AND it was warm!

How do you feel about being an aunt at such a young age?  It feels normal.

You love your little niece and nephews don't you.  Yes, a lot!

Tell me about your best friends.  I have lots of friends in school but Anna is my best friend.  (It's true.  Anna is Jenna's cousin and they've been besties since the getgo.)

What is your happiest memory?  Going to Alabama

What do you love most about your big brother.  Ummmm.  LOL  He helps me with stuff?

What do you love most about your big sister?  Ummmm, well she's caring and she lets me go to her house.

How would you describe yourself in one word?  Funny

What brings you the most happiness?  Being with my family.

What can you tell us about yourself that we haven't covered in this interview?  Nothing really.  I like to make rubber band bracelets.  I like shopping with my mom.  I like to play catch with my brother.  And, I got One Direction tickets for Christmas.

Jenna's very modest but there's a lot more I could tell you about her.  She's one of the sweetest, most loving girls you could ever meet.  She's considerate and soft-hearted and always seems to be thinking about someone besides herself.  She's very careful to never hurt anyone's feelings and she's helpful, athletic, kind, and sweet.  We love you Jenna and couldn't be more proud of you so we're wishing you your best birthday ever!  Happy Birthday!

Anna Helen

Yesterday was our granddaughter, Anna's, 12th birthday.

Anna was born in Chicago and spent her first days in the NICU.

She is an important part of this large family.

And an even more important part of this smaller family.

Today I conducted a phone interview with Anna and here's how it went.

Hi Anna!  I'm sorry we're a day late doing your interview.  It's okay.

So how was your birthday?  Good.

Can you tell us a little about it?  Well, I finally got to see Jenna.  (Jenna is Anna's cousin

and they go way back....

no, I mean really far back.)

I got a lot of stuff that I really wanted. And I had a lot of fun.

What was your favorite part of the whole weekend?  I'm not sure.  That would be really hard.

And how does it feel to be 12 years old?  Good!  How is it different from 11?  I just like saying that I'm 12 instead of 11.  

Do you have any goals for the coming year?  Probably to read more and to get straight A's which I"ve done twice so far.

Do you like school?  Yeah, except for homework.

What do you like about it?  I like that we have more freedom and we have lockers and the teachers are really crazy and you see your friends a lot.

What's not so great about it.  The homework and the tests.

And your favorite subject?  Does Band count?  Sure!  Band.

 What's your favorite recreational activity?  Rainbow Loom

Your favorite sport?  Softball

and swimming. 

How long have you been swimming?  Since 2010 I think.  I hear you're pretty good at it.  What's your favorite swim stroke?  I think the backstroke.

And what did you think of spending Christmas week in Gulf Shores?  It was my favorite one.  We were all together and on the go and going to the beach everyday which we could never do this time of year in Michigan City.  (Anna is second from the right.)

What do you think you will be doing 10 years from now?  I think I might be in college because I'm going to be a Meteorologist. 

How many best friends do you have?  A lot!  What do you like best about them?  I like that they're funny, outgoing, and understanding.  And that I can trust them and they trust me. 

What is your happiest memory?  I think it's probably....I don't know.  Maybe the One Direction concert...or Gulf Shores....or New York.

What do you like best about being a kid?  You have a lot of opportunities and if you're not perfect, it's kind of okay because people don't expect you to be.  You get to enjoy life and do a lot of things and change yourself if things aren't really going too well.

What do you love most about your siblings?  I like that they're fun and loving and if one of us does something wrong you don't feel too mad at them because they're your sibling.

What brings you the most happiness?  Seeing people happy after I've done something for them.

What can you tell us about yourself that we haven't talked about yet?  I don't know.....I like to collect hand sanitizers.  Sometimes I like to do my nails.  And I like to do gymnastics.  Is that something you'd like to get back into some day?  Yeah, I'd like to do it again.  (And, yes, I stole this picture directly from Beth's Facebook post.  I had to.  It's too perfect.)

And there are many more wonderful and interesting things I could tell you about Anna but one of my favorites is that she's so sweet to her brothers and sister.  Oh, and her dog.

Plus she's helpful and loving and smart.  And she's growing sweeter and lovelier everyday and I wouldn't have thought at was possible.  So Anna we're wishing you a year that surpasses all others but is only half as awesome as the many, beautiful years to come!