Valerie's Birthday

This post should have been written yesterday, so let's just pretend it was, okay?

I want to take a minute to celebrate someone very special to all of us today. Our baby sister Valerie. In her 20 years, Valerie has accomplished more than some people do in 40 years. She is strong, confident, independent, sweet, thoughtful, caring, brilliant, and FUN!! Valerie is the baby of the three of us, but sometimes can be the voice of reason for all of us. She has always had a natural spark that attracts everyone. She is known and LOVED by so many people for one reason - she is just VALERIE!!

Valerie started off as our little sidekick. She is 10 years younger than me and 8 years younger than Nancy, so she was our little baby. We cared for her, picked on her, dressed her up, babied her, but most of all, we LOVED her. Babied from day one by her big sisters, Valerie was always super special to us and to everyone else too. She sang songs at rodeos for tips, asked Mom and Dad the questions that we didn't want to ask (so they would say yes), and had to endure many mischevious little schemes that her big sisters put her up to.

She has grown from that little sidekick into a beautiful, charming young lady with an extremely bright future. I am so proud of the woman you have become Valerie. Your strength and independence are something that I admire.

Valerie is often the life of the party! She is fun, exciting, and full of life. There's never a dull moment when she is around!! She is Mom's baby, Daddy's Little Cowgirl, my baby sister, and Nancy's sidekick.

Her thoughtfulness and caring heart are evident with everything she does. She is a SUPER auntie to Barrett and he loves her so much!! He loves to see his Val-Val on Facetime and can't wait to hug her neck in just over a month. She sends the sweetest gifts for all of us and always remembers us on holidays and birthdays, which is so very special and always such a wonderful surprise.

Valerie has a gift with children and is one of the most sought after babysitters in Mabank. She loves kiddos and they LOVE her! I tried to arrange a deal with her many years ago that she could live with me for free and be our nanny, but that didn't work out so well for her career path. Aside from the fact that she lives in Lubbock and we live on the other side of the country, I just don't think that a long distance nanny would work out.

So today, Valerie, we celebrate YOU and the awesome young lady that you are. We love you with all of our hearts and miss you so much. We are proud of all of your accomplishments, but most of all, we are proud of you for just being you. It is so fun to watch you grow and develop into such a beautiful person. While we wish we could see you every day, we know that God has GREAT plans for your life and we can't wait to see each one unfold!! I want you to know what an inspiration you are to so many people and what a great gal you are!

I'm so proud to be your big sister.

Happy Birthday Little Sass!!! We love you!!