Our first is 40!!!

Jennifer was a delightful first child. She was almost immediately socially responsive, spoke her first word at 5 months, walked at 8 1/2 months and was loquacious at one year. She had an early fascination for books, and was reading when she went to school a year early. Books would be her recourse when she was ahead of her classmates (and even sometimes her teachers) for years to come. With so many books to read, I was concerned when she would reread some over and over, but the Gifted and Talented teacher assured me that reading a book once was just to get the "story line" whereas rereading a book was a way of learning how to write. It certainly worked for Jen--she, like her father, is definitely a wordsmith. Jennifer has always been a person of great energy, directness and creativity. She was a person who knew her own mind and took charge of her own life. Being raised in a large family she helped to fill her own needs by doing a paper route and working at an upscale furniture store. With deliberation she chose her friends and her activities in school. While being inclusive and considerate of everyone she was not fetoured by those who would take a wrong course. She set the example for her siblings by charting her life to include a mission, college, graduate school and service to family, church and community. Jen always makes family gatherings interesting and fun with her bright mind, her clever wit, her organizational skills and her indefatigable drive. We love her a lot--but what's not to love? Mom and Dad