My precious Lauren Kassidy turns fifteen years old today! I wanted to do fifteen photos of her, one for each year, like I did for Mitchell a few weeks ago. As I started looking through pictures, though, it was really hard to choose just fifteen! I have so many sweet ones of her. The one above is, obviously, her hospital photo. I noticed it has gotten a little stained from being stored and moved so many times. That made me sad because the memories of her birth and the days that followed as I took my own first wobbly steps into motherhood haven’t tarnished at all. In fact, it’s so vivid, it’s hard for me to believe it’s been fifteen years. *sigh*

I did narrow my selections down to just fifteen photos. I may share some at another time for a “Vintage Valerie” post. Please click on the photos to enlarge them if you have difficulty seeing them.

Lauren is such a blessing to our family. She is growing into a very quiet, poised young woman. She is very disciplined – she gets up at six o’clock to begin her school work everyday, without being told! She works hard and expects perfection from herself. She is tenderhearted toward the things of the Lord and listens closely during the preaching. She often asks questions about the Bible or a sermon. She has already faced some trials in her young life, but she has clung to the Father’s hand and has shown courage that I doubt I would have had at her age. I am so thankful that she knows Christ as her Savior and seeks to do His will.

Lauren is everything I’d ever want in a teenager and more! In short, to know her, is to love her, and I love her with all of my heart.

Happy birthday to my amazing girl!