Seventeen

It feels like just yesterday I was posting about Maddie's 16th birthday. I'm pretty sure I can blink my eyes and I will be posting about her 18th.

Yesterday we celebrated her 17th birthday by going to King's Island amusement park. Maddie took 2 friends and spent the day off with them while we spent the day with Emma. This is very representative of life with a teenager. It's okay though. It's the way it's supposed to be and the gradual separation that allows us to survive the day she will fly the nest.

Maddie, I feel like I still have so much left to teach you. I feel like this last year at home isn't enough. In honor of your 17th birthday, here are 17 things I want to make sure you know.

-You are beautiful inside and out
-Don't ever base your opinion of yourself on what other people say or think about you
-Stay tenderhearted
-You won't always get your way- that's actually a good thing
-Even a small lie will erode trust
-Sometimes you work hard and your only reward is knowing you did your best
-Always try to look at the bright side- nobody wants to be around someone that is negative all the time
-Conduct yourself with grace and dignity
-You can be or do anything you want in life
-Only marry for love and wait as long as it takes to find the real thing
-You have an amazing sense of humor & I love how you are always yourself
-Drama is a waste of time
-Any job worth doing is worth doing right
-Never be mean
-Be able to take care of yourself so that you don't have to depend on someone but can choose to depend on them
-Stay close to Emma- having a sister is a special gift
-Your family is always here for you and loves you NO MATTER WHAT