she wasnt potty trained, she wasnt speaking in sentences, she wasnt reading, writing, doing math, playing tuba in music, playing soccer with friends at recess, buying her own lunch and putting in her own lunch code, singing whole entire spongebob theatrical score’s at the top of her lungs on the arm of the couch, slamming doors, getting the mail every single day after getting off the bus, telling time, putting on her own seat belt, getting dressed alone, washing her hands or taking a shower alone, chewing her hair, eating with utensils, she couldnt tell us what she had done that day, drawing and coloring and imagining, googling reeses peanut butter cups, sleeping with 50+ catalogs, physically scarred, or have an uncomfortable one sided relationship with murray from the wiggles.
HOWEVER!
the cuteness is all still in there.
photo taken at age six, in her second year of kindergarten.
photo taken august .07
oh its not her birthday. :) i found this old school picture last night while unpacking my stuff back into my scrap room/office and started reminiscing…….
there is so much in those eyes. she is beautiful.
Awesome! her progress is a tribute to you and Jeff and what wonderful parents you must be
that is so awesome, tara. i did giggle at the murray wiggles comment! ;)
Happy Birthday sweet girl!
Awww…sweet little Kenna. Does she still love the Mini Boden catalogs?
It’s so hard when they were young to imagine them doing the things they can do now! Back then it was just a miracle to make it to the next day….let alone looking into the future. I can relate to these skills that you mention and it reminds me that my son has always gone forward in his progress and for that I am thankful! It’s still a struggle everyday but I try not to look too far ahead! Take care! Shelley
Yes…there IS so much in those eyes. What a beautiful child tara. She has made so much progress. Here’s to you…’Whitney family’!! And…Happy Birthday McKenna!
wow. she’s come a long way, baby. she is such a beautiful girl. i love those eyes. the cuteness is definitely still there.
smiles
ria
Her freckles are so adorable, happy birthday!
That is truly awesome.
I love the bottom picture of her, especially because it looks like she has sand on the side of her face. So cute.
this is an awesome list. you so need to use it on a page for her. :)
be still my heart.
: )
what a sweet girl!! Wonderful tribute to her!! Her hair was so light in those first pictures!! Those eyes….
amazing how far that little one has come!! she’s such a bright light in the world! wish i could meet her!
tara
She is beautiful!
I read your blog every day- well to be honest, I return several times throughout the day as I am so inspired by the stories you tell and the images you share. And this little girl of yours is beyond precious. And I am sooo happy for her- in that she is so perfectly protected and loved by her family. I am a developmental home provider, providing 24/7 care 365 days a year to the most gentle beautiful soul one can imagine. And she has a developmental disability. I don’t understand everything about her (she’s been with me for more than 8 years), but I know I love her- as do my children who have never known a life any different since she moved in just 2 months before my oldest was born. And I love that. I love that they accept her, and thus others, who have a developmental disability. Through her, they have learned what it feels like to have compassion. And to nurture, and be nurtured. And I would imagine that it’s just the same way in your home. Never easy. But always just right.
With every good wish,
Tammy Mellish
your friend in Vermont ;)
Happy birthday McKenna!! How blessed that little girl is to be your daughter and your children’s sister. But you are blessed too that she is Your child.. have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your family!!!! mary b
what a doll! ‘googling reese’s peanut butter cups’!!! that’s my fave!
great post…it’ll keep me smiling all day.
hey tara.
i want to see your scrap room when you are done unpacking!!!!
tara
oh my gosh, what a doll. I love that she googles reeces peanut butter cups! Such a sweet baby girl.
When you think about it she really has progressed and learned so much. For that I tip my hat to you, Jeff and her teachers. :) And I think the new room is going to bring even more improvements for her once she gets used to it. YEAH!
I was already teary eyed, but this put me over the edge: “googling reeses peanut butter cups”! ;) She’s beautiful, T, and has touched more lives than either of you will ever realize!
she’s got the most incredible eyes.
and an equally incredible mom.
way to go, McKenna!!
I am in lovelove with this picture of her!
And it does not look to me like you have lost any mojo girl! The things you made from the kit rock!
told you that this gift was wrapped differently, you just have never received one quite like it before. oh the beautiful surprises that you have seen unwrapped before you…some are already here and some wait. just remember to keep looking when the listening gets tough.
what beautiful eyes. what a sweet girl. what a great mom. what a blessed life. :)
she has such a beaustiful face!
love her eyes!
She is so so beautiful.
You know how you were frustrated about not scrapbooking lately? I think the sweet memories you share here on your blog will mean so much to your kids someday. Maybe you could print your blog and bind it in a book for your kids?
As a special ed. therapist, I LOVE how you celebrate McKenna’s uniqueness. She is such a gift!
And thanks for opening your heart here to us.
You make me laugh and cry daily!
Blessings to you and your family,
Whitney
ahhh she just looks so heavenly. :)
her eyes are amazing. i felt like i could ‘see’ her when I looked into them. seriously had to look away it gave me such a funny feeling.
i love reminiscing. the days when she had those noodle things seem so long ago!
I just LOVE the way you reminisce, Tara…she´s got BEAUTIFUL soulful eyes. Kenna´s such a DARLING “little” thing and I LOVE seeing new pictures of her and hearing you talk about her…seriously, there´s so much love in your words – makes me wanna hug you right now *hugs*
Hi Tara,
I love your tribute to McKenna. Very sweet!
It really shows how not to take the little things in life for granted. She has grown so much in these past 6 years, but one thing that hasn’t changed are her beautiful eyes, and what loving, caring family she has!!!
Thanks for sharing.
I love that she dances to the beat of her own drum. I really miss her! Hope she will be home on Friday. :) :) She has come so far!