Another Teenager..... :-S

Well, it has happened. My oldest daughter can no longer be referred to as "The Teenager" and have a clear picture of who we are speaking of. Her next sister down is 13 today. The "Big One" in her opinion. I had meant to write a bit more about us before I launched into any "heavy" posts, but life has been busy..... in a nutshell.... 8 children, we own the local flower shop, and we homeschool.... enough said for now. I hope it is a good day for her. Last June, she lost her best friend, her best friend's mom who happened to be my best friend, other than my oldest daughter who is more than a daughter to me, and another child in a tragic accident that should have never happened.... a flatbed-semi ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of their motor home leaving a 4 year old and a 4 month old motherless and without 2 of their siblings. But anyways, back to the point, the girl that was lost that day was my new teens BESTEST friend.... they were both 12 at the time. They had BIG plans for their 13ths........ last November we spent her best friend's birthday with a trip to the cemetery to take an arrangement of 13 green carnations, it was her favorite color. ........so it is with bittersweet celebration today that we mark my daughter's birthday. As I revel in the joy of her, I am also filled with a sadness that will never go away. Realizing all the things that she may have never had the chance to do.... as it was a lucky twist for us that I didn't let her go that day last June. She and one of her sisters, who will turn 12 in 5 days, were invited to go along. In the end, I said no. She was mad at me for all that day and night..... and probably would have been angry that next morning as well, except for the fact that we awoke at 6:23 a.m. to the sounds of fire trucks and ambulances, not knowing it was the camper carrying our best friends and homeschool soul mates. Within the next 2 1/2 hours after that, our lives as we had known them had come to an end. My children were forced to deal with something that they shouldn't ever have to. And it wasn't just a car accident.... the semi that hit them sent them flipping around and their camper burst into flames. No need to say more. So all the firsts have been hard for her........ first pool trip, first snow piles, holidays.... and 13th birthdays. It was a rite of passage that these 2 friends had planned out to the minute. Details discussed and plans made. So our goal today is to make it as extra special as we can. As I briefly mentioned up there, we own the local flower shop...... it is just my oldest daughter "The Teenager" and I that work there. So today she is making up a vase of 13 of the most beautiful pink roses there are, sneaking them over to the town's ONLY fancy/really nice eating place, and we have reservations for Mom, Dad, and the newly reigning teenager. "The Teenager" is going to keep the other 6 siblings at home. Then after what will hopefully be a nice supper, we are going to come home and have cake and presents with all of us. As we have another birthday in 5 days, (turning 12 remember) and another one turning 6 three days after that, we will have grandparents in on an off weekend and celebrate with them that way. But we always recognize each birthday on the day it happens.
Well, enough for now. Happy Birthday Lexi.... we all love you.