Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!

     Well, it's been a super busy week and I'm writing a day early beacause tomorrow we will be celebrating my step-daughter Kaitlyn's 10th birthday. It's hard to believe she's been here for an entire decade now! Thinking about all the good times we've shared has me reflecting on my place in her life. You know how the Oscar's have the category for best "Supporting Actress"? Well, I think of myself as the "Supporting Mom" in her life. I know everyone's situation is different but in ours, Kaitlyn has an awesome mom who does everything a mother is supposed to do and then some. So I've never felt the need to take on that role. I just get to be an extra person to love and care for her and to do "mom things" for her when she's with us.
     When my husband and I were first starting to get serious, he was working evenings and one night his parents were away and couldn't keep Kaitlyn. So I, wanting to be helpful (and impress him, of course), said I would watch her. We played and had a great time. Then I decided we'd take her daddy some dinner. I got Kaitlyn and her bag, grabbed the car seat and headed to my car. I got the seat all buckled in then sat her down in it. That's when I discovered this crazy contraption that I assumed was somehow supposed to strap a child into this seat. I tried and tried but could NOT figure it out. Kaitlyn was 18 months at most and even she was trying to show me how to do it. After 10 minutes we were both crying! Then somehow it finally just clicked and she was safely secured.
     When you first come into a relationship with someone who has a child, you wonder, "Is this little person going to like me?" I loved her instantly but was totally clueless about kids. What did you do with them? What did they eat? How did you communicate with them when they couldn't even really talk yet? Like that car seat though, somehow it just clicked. We colored together, drew on the Magna-Doodle, did puzzles and watched lots of Blues Clues and Barney. My very first experience planning a child's birthday party was for her 2nd. I ordered a Barbie cake, bought Barbie hats, plates, blowers and everything else Barbie I could find!
     I look back now and it's hard to believe I was just winging it all that time. I didn't know what I was doing but somehow it always worked out. It's ironic that it's actually been Kaitlyn who's been teaching and showing me what this whole parenting thing is all about. I feel so blessed to be part of her life and to be able to watch her grow into this amazing person. To say she's a "good kid" really doesn't do her justice. She's beautiful not only in appearance but but also in her generous heart and gentle nature. She loves her family and friends unconditionally, she's smart (straight A's), multi-talented in sports (soccer, basketball, softball). She's a great artist, always polite and respectful and bless her heart, she is PATIENT! She puts up with 2 little sisters and I can tell you that Mak pushes her to the limit!
     So tomorrow we will celebrate her 10 years and I must say it's a real privilege to be "Supporting Mom" to this wonderful child. Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!!!