Happy Birthday, Sierra!

The day was November 8th many years ago when I went to the hospital to give birth to my last child. I had many mixed emotions that day. I already have 3 very active little ones and I wasn't sure I could handle a 4th just now so I was a little scared. I was also told that I couldn't have any more children and that depressed me because I had always wanted 8 kids. I had to have my children c-section so I was nervous about the surgery. But above all, I was excited to meet this new little person who had been inside me for 9 months. We didn't know if we were having a boy or girl, although I "knew" we were having another little girl.

We had lots of complications with her birth and almost lost her, but she fought hard and before long she was breathing and crying like a newborn should. She was much smaller than my other children and we found out she was 3 1/2 weeks early. Within a week we were both able to go home and meet the rest of the family.

Sierra completed our family. Where 3 kids seemed difficult, 4 was the perfect number. Even numbers are just better I guess. Sierra not only evened out our family, but she also brought a peaceful spirit with her. At a very young age she seemed to know when Mom was stressed and needed her calming influence. She could barely walk and talk, but she knew Mom needed her. She would grab my finger and pull me to the rocking chair and say, "rocky, mommy, rocky". I would sit and rock her for as long as it took for me to calm down and regain my sanity.

Sierra was good for everyone. She was very observant and learned so many things simply because she watched others. She observed when her siblings would do things to get in trouble and she would avoid that behavior. The kids liked to play school and since she was the youngest she was always the student. Consequently she learned a lot and was reading before she every started school.

She learned she could do anything she set her mind to. She learned to play several instruments and to sing beautifully. She is a wonderful artist too. She has taught herself home skills such as cooking, sewing, quilting and even handy work around the house. She is an amazing mother and home schools her children. Her oldest is in 7th grade and the youngest just starting kindergarten this year.

I am so grateful Sierra chose to come to our family. She has blessed my life so much. Happy Birthday, Sierra!!!

Love,
MoM