Happy Birthday to Rochelle - Twelve Years Old Today

My beautiful, serene (usually) Rochelle LeAnn is twelve today.

The two younger girls are ten months apart - both born in 1995. Rochelle is today of course and Rebecca is Halloween. Elcie was born in March 1993 so she'll be 14 soon.

I started this post around 8 this morning and then our power went out. It's back but I lost most of what I'd written. I didn't know for how long so we went out and bought decorated cupcakes and ice cream. By the time we came home, the power was back. It's very windy today and it was more of a brownout. Our lights were on but flickering - same with the t.v. Nothing else worked.

Rochelle is such a good kid, at least most of the time. She's always been the most openly affectionate. We call her the cuddle bug. She loves animals and they love her. She has been known to carry a bee in her bare hand, almost giving me heart failure.

She does have her moments. Just look at what used to be thick, lovely eyebrows. Her friend plucked them and I went ballistic. They all got to hear about it. I'm sure they'll grow but it will take a while.

While I was at it, I discussed tattoos and body piercings, just in case they get any other ideas. You don't remove anything that's attached to your body or add to what's already there should cover it. I hope. They can mess around with makeup on the weekends. It washes off.

Her Uncle Tim told her once they grew back, he'd treat her to a professional shaping. I told her they were already perfect as was she. I'll go along with the shaping. Maybe one experience with wax will cure her.

Aside from little things like that and being too much of an eager to please follower, she's a joy and a delight. She has a wonderful sense of humor, she's artistic and musical. She has a learning deficiency that's slowed her down a little in school but she's a hard worker and is overcoming it.

When she was tiny, she spent hours on my lap and was one of the best natured babies I've ever known. She still comes running for hugs and I hope that doesn't stop. Now I can almost sit on hers. She passed me in height a year ago and hasn't stopped growing.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Rochelle. Cake and ice cream tonight and your shopping trip and lunch maybe Sunday.