Jenna's First Date

Jenna went on her first date last night.

When she turned 16 at the beginning of the month, there were no date possibilities on the horizon that we were aware of, so we were delighted when the handsome man at left asked her to the Sweetheart's Dance a week later....with a candy bar poster...it was so cute...and delicious.

The next weekend, she answered him by taping balloons all over his truck with the message "Since you popped the question, pop these to find the answer." And we shopped for a dress, super fun, and found this gorgeous one (her shoes are red!)

The big date was last night and I was so impressed with her date (Jacob) who was polite and kind and responsible (just what every mother is looking for in her daughter's first date). Jenna was so stunningly beautiful that it overwhelmed me and after they left, I had to cry a little -- happy tears.

The date was a success! In Jenna's words, "Holy cow. Best night ever. Victoria is amazing, my dress is amazing and my date was the best man ever!!! How much more awesome can my life take????"

I hope much more awesome, Jenna -- you deserve it. Love you!

Happy 16th Sweet Jenna

Today my Jenna is 16 years old. We have been celebrating this for a few days now: a breakfast "kidnapping" by her friends on Saturday, early presents on Sunday so she'd have something cute to wear to church, talking about driving and dating and what it means to be 16.

Just so you know, Jenna is one of the most stellar people I know. We were discussing her awesomeness in the car yesterday.

"You are so awesome, Jenna. I like you so much."

"Mom, you have to like me."

"No, I have to love you, and I always love you, but sometimes kids aren't very likable and parents put up with it because of the love. But you, I have always liked you. You've been likable your whole life."

[Smile]. "Thanks, Mom."

Some of the things that are awesome about Jenna:

• she loves to read and she reads FAST and she remembers everything she's read
• she is so smart - like super smart
• she is easygoing and happy
• she is fun to be around
• she connects with people and accepts them for who they are
• she knows what's important in life and doesn't get distracted by the weird stuff
• she is gorgeous
• she is genuinely kind
• she plays basketball and is tall

When Jenna was a baby, I was in her room talking on the phone while Jenna played. At one point, she crawled into my lap, curled up and fell asleep. I told my friend about this, and she said, "You are the luckiest Mom to have that little girl."

It's true.

I love you, Jenna! Happy birthday!

A Great Dad

David has been working with Jenna on her post moves in basketball - a lot. She goes to practice for 2 1/2 hours every day and then he goes down and works with her one-on-one for another hour after that.

At her last game, she got the ball, did a beautiful post move, made the basket and was fouled. As she walked to the free throw line, she looked right up at her dad in the stands and pointed to him with a huge grin. I looked at him and he was beaming back at her, then he said to me, "We practiced that move over and over."

It was the coolest moment. I was so proud of her for executing what she'd practiced and for inviting her dad to share in the joy.

Oh, and she made the free throw, too.