Jennifer

One of the best gifts in life was the birth of my first daughter, Jennifer. While her start was unexpected and unplanned, she is the reason I am here today. If I had not gotten pregnant with her, I'd have probably killed myself partying in college. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put her in our paths.

Tomorrow is her 28th birthday. It is so hard to believe she is 28. I remember crying because she was two weeks late. All I wanted to do was see what she looked like and hold her. She finally made her arrival and looked like a little Indian papoose. She had jet black hair and olive skin. My American Indian blood over rode Tony's Scots-Irish by a long shot!

She was the doll baby I always dreamed of. She started sleeping the night through when she was about a month old. She slept 12 hours straight. I used to go in and shake her, worried she might not ever wake up. But she was a beautiful baby and continued to grow.

She bounced back and forth between being a prissy girl and a tom boy. She danced when she was little and then switched to soccer. Unfortunately she blew out both knees and was side lined. She swam, but never really found the passion for it. It was a tough road having to redefine herself from being an athlete to a bystander.

She did extremely well in school and was invited to go to Hawaii and Europe with the People to People Student Ambassador program. I finally got to go to Europe recently, but Hawaii is still on my bucket list. She also travelled in the US with math and science camps. She even played the cello with the Junior Youth Symphony. But like many things that happen when you're a teenager, she grew tired of that life. She searched for her place, and struggled to find it like too many.

She went off to college and joined the Wolfpack. She continues to be proud of her NC State affiliations. She started a masters program, but changed her focus before finishing it. She's regrouping and trying to find the niche that best suits her.

She's always been great with kids and the counseling job she has allows her to interact with quite a few. She's the best big sister and she and Cass are very close. She'll figure out what she wants to be when she grows up eventually. In the mean time, she's doing a great job where she is.

She's also an animal lover and rescued a dog a few years ago. She named him Raleigh after her college's hometown. He's a sweet dog and we love him as our granddog. He thinks he's human and there are times I have to agree with him.

It's amazing to reflect on the 28 years we've had Jen. She, like all of us, has had a roller coaster road of a life. But she's a positive and upbeat kind of girl. It takes a lot to knock her down, but she soon bounces back up ready for the next challenge.

We are so proud of the person she has become. We could never have imagined all the great things she has accomplished and experiences in life when she was born. She is living the independent life I have always dreamed for her. I know there are even greater things ahead in her future. I look forward to watching it unfold.

Happy 28th birthday Jen Pen!! I love you more than you will ever know!!