I remember turning 13.
I was living in Waco, Texas and in the eight grade. I wore big round “bug eye” shaped glasses and got braces mid-year. It was the year 1980. I was a new teenager living in the early 80′s. My family was conservative, so I didn’t wear the Flashdancer digs, but I vividly recall my best friend, Jen buying me my first Polo shirt. Looking back, I think I was an 80′s preppy nerd? I went to a very small private school and was part of the “glove pep squad.” I’ve been ridiculed by my children, so if you want to tease… I’m used to it. Yep, I wore long green polyester culottes and flashed my hands back and forth, up and down at the football games. If you are reading this and have a photo of me during my prime groovy glove days, please send me a pic! I had a big crush on a boy name Steve. Life was awkward and simple and fun.
Turning 16 was crazy!
I had my very first boy/girl birthday party and remember falling head over heels with a boy 
named Gibby 
who came to my bash. He was a freshman, so I could ONLY share this secret with my best friend. He sat on our family room couch in Phoenix, Arizona surrounded be cutie pie guests, but he caught my eye (OK he caught me starring at him) I would have had no idea in a million jillion years we would fall in love someday, when it really counted and marry the man of my dreams. My birthday party was the start of something really crazy!
It’s a pretty unique feat, I’ll admit to be the mom of a 16 year old, a 13 year old and an (almost) 2 year old! I get a taste of 3 very different worlds, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love that my 16 y.o. can drive and pick up my 13 y.o. now, so my 2 y.o. can take a long nap. At 42, my 3 krazy kids keep me hopping and I’m so proud of them as individuals. Every day I make sure I tell them I love them just the way they are. I make sure when I mess up that I say I’m sorry. I make sure to kiss them good-night and forgive them for their messes. I love being a mom. It’s the most challenging, rewarding, crazy job you could ever sign up to do.
My very favorite pic of me & Gibby before a football game (no glasses or braces)
Prom 1985
