Dear Skylar,

I can’t believe that you are 13 years old today!  It seems like just yesterday that the doctor placed you in my arms and now you are a teenager.  You and Hailey have been my greatest joys!  It has not been an easy road.  You have battled so much in your short 13 years of life.  And even though it has been hard, you have so much joy!

I know that as your mom it is my job to teach you and guide you.  But in the past 13 years, you have taught ME more than I could EVER teach you!  I can’t imagine my life without you.

You know what I love about you?

-I love that you sing almost everywhere you go!

-I love that you thank Jesus every time we see a beautiful sunset!

-I love that you want our family to adopt “all the children in all the orphanages so that they will have a family to be a part of.”

-I love that you get excited and clap your hands every time you receive a card in the mail.

-I love that you love your family so passionately!

-I love that you forgive so easily!  I heard you say recently “The Bible tells us to forgive, so I do it!”  If we could all just live that simply, the world would be a better place!

-I love that if anyone says “Ouch” you come running with a box of band-aids.

-I love that you are so honest!  Sometimes it is embarrassing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

-I love that you want to live with us forever because “you would miss us so much if you ever moved away.”

-I love that you still wave at me with a huge grin on your face when you see me after school every day.

-I love that you love to help the kids in your class that need help.

-I love that you love to write stories!

And….

I LOVE that you are my daughter!

If someone had told me 13 years ago that our road would be rough, that we would cry many tears, that life would be different than what we dreamed it would be…without a doubt, I would still choose you!

You have taught me patience, understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and how to find joy in life every day!

I love you more than you’ll ever know!

Mom

*I was nominated for one of Babble’s Top Autism Spectrum Blogs.  I’m totally honored by this.  If you read my blog and you have found it helpful I would appreciate your vote.  I am currently #19.  You can click here and search for I Am JuJu, then click on the “I Like This” icon.  I believe you can only vote for one blog per computer/device. Thank you so much for your support!  I love sharing our journey with others and I truly hope that it brings hope and understanding regarding Autism.*