Jill

As we have watched our kids grow into adults, and thus we became older, we got just a little nostalgic about the years of watching our kids grow up and sharing the excitement of what each day would bring. So, we decided to put together a video of each of our kids that would be a short but poignant view of what their life meant to us.

Our first child was a bit of a surprise.  Many even thought she was a "mistake" because she wasn't planned.  Well, she certainly wasn't planned that's true.  However with her birth she became the single most important bond for two young and scared "kids".   Her arrival turned what was a rudderless relationship into a family with a focus on what was important.    Jill was the trial and error child. Being new to this baby process, we tried out our parenting skills out on her, and she let us know if it was an error....which it all to often was. I know our other kids must be shocked to find out we were not always the perfect parents they grew up with...but it's true. We sucked at it and Jill unfortunately had to suffer through with us while we found out how it worked.

Not only was Jill the first child into our home, she was also the first to leave. I think bringing her into our home was hard for Michele. Watching her leave our home was hardest on her dad. There goes my life was a song that so clearly defined how two parents felt to watch a child be born, grow, and then head out on her own. One Day Chase will head out on his own, and then Jill will comprehend what happens to a parents heart. Enjoy the slide show.