Every year we get ready for the big "Fireworks" parades, and other noise on July 4th.

Well we had them at our house on July 2, 1985, because that is the day that Caitlin Christine made her "Grand Entry" into this world, and came to live with us, complete with all the "bells and whistles" you could want in a baby.

Let me tell you that I will attest to her "siren" going off at all hours.

Her oldest brother, John was 17, her sister Janice was 15, David was just going on 11, and Brian was 9 years old.

She had more people around to pick her up and hold her when she got fussy, and/or just wanted attention, and I believe to this day that all this love and caring, created not only a lovable child, but one that is used to getting her own way. Yeeeeeks!!!!

Because her siblings were teen agers or close enough to becoming teens (thereby practicing the art of being a teen), Caitlin figured out that she must be one too. Yeeeeeks, again.

She has been practicing this art since she was born. She was included or eavesdropped into the conversations that usually start with - "Don't tell mom or dad, but I.....".

"Hmmmmmmm -- there is allegiance among kids, keeping special secrets", she must have been thinking.

Now that Caitlin is 13 I hope she has got bored with all that teenage stuff. Wooooof -- I hate the thought of going through those years again.

So where are her brothers and sisters NOW that we need them. They are all married (except Brian) and have moved away, leaving me with no help when the fussing starts. Thanks, Guys.

Actually, Caitlin is a delight, and is looking for her place in this world. She probably was blessed with the opportunity to watch and learn as her brothers and sisters went through the trials and tribulations of becoming adults.

She, like her siblings, has and practices good morals, and ethics. She has a love for anything that is good, and I wonder where her career choice will take her.

Caitlin loves art, basketball, and the refrigerator (especially those with something to eat in them). When I go to the refrigerator to get the olives or the pickles that I got for something special, I find the jars empty, except the juice. When I ask where these condiments went, I see a face with two eyes looking like the cat that swallowed the canary.

She participates in the drama group in school, and will be going to high school next year. There are no activities of that nature in the school where she will be going, but there is a drama group here in town that may be willing to take a young lady under their wings.

Right now she is doing latch hooking (pooh character themes), and building her own web page (Tazzy's Pages).

We are proud of the way that Caitlin is maturing. We pray each day that she goes to school, or with her friends, that she does not meet, and become invoved with others that can easily influence a young child away from a Chistian way of life, or cause harm to her.

We actually do need her brothers and her sister's influence at this time because kids will listen to kids more than they will an adult.

Oh, by the way, since Brian left (to "joust at windmills"), Caitlin has taken over his role of the family prankster.

Sometimes when we notice that she appears sad, and we ask her why, she just says that she misses Brian and her other brothers as well. We thought, because of all the squabbling for space, the bathroom, fighting over and stealing each others clothes, games and toys, that she would be thrilled to be an "only child" and have the space all to herself. That certainly is not the case here.

Janice lives close and Caitlin sees her and her new nephew, Jackson quite a bit.

Because she is young and growing, I will be adding to this page often, so when you do come back, dont forget to reload so you wont miss any of the updates.

As we do our other children, we love Caitlin very much and wish the best for her.

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