Just what did happen on Friday the 13th in 1993?

Birthday time!
15!!!!!! Yikes!
I did tell her there was to be no dating until much much later in life.......like 21 or something.... maybe 25. She didn't seem too enthusiastic but moms have to be careful now days. Hand holding may be allowed at 16. But then, the prospective boy will have to pass a strict background check- and pass! This man here really put on the charm but I still had my reservations. I told him to come back in the next century! The red rose made me a bit suspicious, It was all wilted and looked like he'd had it all day.

And at 15, a person is expected to be a lot more prayerful and responsible for their decisions or face the consequences. She had an unguarded moment and was about to learn the hard way. Here, she did miraculously receive a pardon at the last moment.

Well, time marches on and it really did happen. She really did turn 15 yesterday.

I was thinking of the exciting entry she had. Moms tend to do that as we are the ones that go through it. We were living in Benevento, Italy but had to travel 3 hours to get to the hospital. We arrived early but there was no way I was going to endure 3 hours of Roman cobblestone roads to get back home, only to leave again.

We looked for a place to go to await the delivery moment found a Roman Amphitheater to walk in. We had to squeeze by one of those horrible looking Corso dogs that was guarding the entrance. It was actually so cool that it took my mind off of everything. I love history and I was feeling special to be there. It was so breezy and serene and we were all alone so I just laid on the stones under the amphitheater floor and wondered about all that had gone on in that very spot. I think it was an elevator cave where they used to cage and take wild animals up to the arena. I remembered feeling so honored to be one of Jesus' followers.

Well, all went well and that day finished with her arrival, thanks to the 300 lb. nurse that sat on me.

Now, to the present. I can't figure her out. The last child has got to be the great unsolved mysteries of the World. Just when I think I know what's going on with her, she pops a new one on me. Raising 6 kids was easy.... but the seventh?

But then, she says it's because I am so OLD.

Well. she adjusts. The latest thing is that she has gotten into controlling personalities through foot massage. She can take the meanness out of a cranky mom by putting pressure on a itsy bitsy part of my heel. I don't want to discourage her but it actually makes my ear twitch instead. She's actually thinking of specializing in geriatrics. She has me eating tons of blueberries. I just wish she'd let me sleep at night! She keep darting in and out of my room with every conceivable excuse. She is, and always has been, a night owl.

If you are bored, call her up and ask her opinion on something- just anything a bit out of the ordinary. She is an authority.

I play Scrabble but I always lose and in Monopoly I don't stand a chance. I just give my properties to charitable causes. I don't dare try Chinese Checkers.

She makes me laugh like no one else. She sees from such a unique standpoint. Just when I am intent on being serious and yielding to the"dark side" on something I am putting a little too much importance on, she will come along with a straight face, expressing her outlook on life. We've had so many times when I get to laughing so hard that I worry everyone in the house. I just can't stop.

Well, that actually makes me happy. Teresa is a unique individual. I just have to say that I do love everything about her. She is full of surprises.

God, thank you for sending me such a great kid. I'm so glad that I didn't stop at 6... for that matter 5....or 4 .....or 3! What a privilege to have a big and illustrious family!