July 22, 2010

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

19 comments:

  1. Those are 17 wise things to learn.

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  2. My eldest turned 17 in May. Time flies, doesn't it? How did they get so old?!!

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  3. Maddie, Happy Birthday.
    Remember, Mother knows best!

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  4. She looks so much like you! You are such a good momma.

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  5. Your list made me choke up a bit Jen - such good advice for a lovely young lady. I'm feeling a little sunrise/sunset on your behalf....life goes by so very, very quickly, doesn't it?

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  6. Happy Birthday Maddie! You have a very smart mom. Jen, I love your idea of 17 things to share on her 17th b-day. She will always learn from you. I like this idea so much I think I will incorporate it into my baby's 24th birthday in Oct. 24 things I want to tell my son...... I like that!
    have a great weekend!

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  7. She is beautiful, Happy Birthday! Love your list!
    ~Michelle

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  8. I love this post Jen!! And Maddie is beautiful, like her mama!! You are a WONDERFUL mother!
    I have tears!!! :*)
    Kristi

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  9. A beautiful and heartfelt post. Your daughter is gorgeous and lucky to have a loving mum like you xo

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  10. Very wise advice. I wish that I'd been given some of that at 17, 18, 19,...you get the drift. Congrats on making it through another year with a teenager!

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  11. oh jen, i love her seventeen list!!
    i just had a talk with smk about her being gone all the time. all the time. i know it's a natural part of their maturing & preparing for when they fly from the nest ( insert heavy sobs hear). i hope i wasn't too tough on her....they do need balance. ugh. its so tough sometimes.
    hoping your summer is full of all things wonderful sweet friend
    xo

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  12. Happy Birthday Maddie. Just found your blog and was surprised when I found out your daughters are named Maddie and Emma. My son has 2 daughters that are seven and 5 and they are Emma and Maddie.

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  13. Happy 17th Birthday to Maddie ♥
    My son turned 21 yesterday :-)and you are so right Jen, it does all happen in a blink of an eye! Such a beautiful "17 things" list xo

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  14. gulp. honest and sweet.

    xo
    elyse

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  15. What an awesome mother you are!! Such a great post!

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  16. such a wise mother....lucky daughter....lucky mother!

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  17. Hi Jen~

    I hope Maddie had a wonderful birthday! I love the advice you gave to her, too...It makes me think of my own two sweet girls, who are still little, but I know someday they won't be. It's sad how fast they grow up!

    I hope you are doing well! How do you like living in the Village? I hope you are having a fantastic summer! :)

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