Oh The Places You'll Go; By Dr. Seuss

February 2006; 7.5 months pregnant; West Palm Beach, FL

I write this on the eve of my 8th anniversary.

Loren and I have been best friends for 10 years, 8 months and 5 days.

It has been an incredible journey.

And, who knew 5.5 years after meeting we would be having a baby together.

A baby girl that would change the course of our lives.

A baby that would grow up before our eyes in the blink of an eye and daily challenge us to be better people.  A baby who would give us a little glimpse of what God feels towards us, His children.  

I started this post back in April when Grace turned 5, but life got in the way and it just wasn't the right timing.  I have to be moved to write something.  I have to feel it and tonight as I listen to my girl in her room belting song after song while she tries to settle and go to sleep, it feels right.  

Boy were we so excited to have a baby.  I miss my baby bump.

Being pregnant was the most beautiful thing I've ever gone through.  

 Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

 You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own.  And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.....

 ...OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on your way up!

You'll be seeing great sights!

You'll join the high fliers

who soar to high heights.

  You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.

You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.

Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.....

  ....Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!

There are points to be scored.  there are games to be won.

And the magical things you can do with that ball

will make you the winning-est winner of all.

Fame!  You'll be famous as famous can be,

with the whole wide world watching you win on TV....

5 weeks old at her baby dedication

 But on you will go

though the weather be foul

On you will go

though your enemies prowl

On you will go

though the Hakken-Kraks howl

Onward up many

a frightening creek,

though your arms may get sore

and your sneakers may leak....

 ....You'll get mixed up, of course,

as you already know.

You'll get mixed up

with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

and remember that Life's

a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.

only 2 days old

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

 

Kid, You'll Move Mountains....

So,be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places!  Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.

So....get on your way!!

Favorite Memories, By Gracie Turner age 4 (as spoken): 

When we were playing mud table,  I really liked it when my friend Grace Statema was over.  I love you Grace Statema, you're my best friend.  Me and Grace Statema had some makeup on.  We had so much fun sneaking up doing my mom's makeup.  We snuck and then we had to get in for a bath.  We liked that.  The End, Bye.

-Gracie Turner

Favorite Memories, By Jennifer Turner:

Oh my dear Gracie Statema!  There are so many happy memories, it's difficult to narrow it down to only a few.  We've so enjoyed having you be part of our lives and watching you grow.  I've particularly enjoyed watching the friendship between you and our Gracie blossom and grow into more of a sisterhood.  You two have been through so many growing hurdles and fun times together and have learned so much from those experiences, it's hard to imagine those early years without you!  I love the way you and Gracie Turner can effortlessly laugh just for the sake of laughing and enjoying being together.  I love the creative and simple games you two come up with that entertain you repeatedly.  Some of your favorites are: "stuck in the couch" (getting behind the cushions and pretending to need rescuing), "love tunnel" (crawling around and through small spaces), and "surfing with mama" (standing on our rocking recliners with your babies/lovies while rocking and chanting "surfing with mama" before flopping down and either screaming or laughing).  When you're not playing made up games together, you're being creative in other ways.  There are two recent memories that really stand out: "Makeup" and "Deck Painting". 

"Makeup" - When you and Gracie Turner were new 4 year olds (June 2010), you had the idea to have a wedding.  To a 4 year old, there's no better way to prepare for a wedding than to apply numerous layers of makeup.  Your mom and I (unsuspecting of what you two were up to) were talking and enjoying our quiet time visiting... until we realized it was a little too quiet.  When we went to find out what you gals were up to, we discovered you in my bathroom with ALL my makeup out and applied in heavy amounts.  It was all over both of you (your faces, arms, legs and feet - not to mention the floor).  It was too hilarious a scene to be angry, so we ran for the camera instead.  :)

"Deck Painting" - Just one week later, you two were at it again, but this time with paint.  It started out innocently enough - painting on the art easel on the back porch.  But one thing lead to another, and soon you were painting each other and then ultimately the deck.  You girls were having so much sweet fun, we just let you enjoy the moment, and again, got the camera.  This was another Statema/Turner play date that ended with a very much needed bath - only this time, it was in the kiddie pool outside on the deck :) 

Life is just not the same without the Turners right near by. 

We need to invent teleporting so we can spend warm summer days together.

I can't believe the last 3 years have gone by so fast and you're getting ready to turn 5!  We're looking forward to many more years of Statema/Turner adventures.  We love you dearly.  Happy 5th Birthday, kiddo!

-Jennifer Turner

I'm not fabulous with words... but Deanna wanted Grace to know she misses her very much! That she thinks Grace is so much fun and she wishes she could play dress-up and ride bikes with her. She wants to wish Grace a very happy 5th birthday and hopes she has a super awesome year! ♥ to you both : )  -Melissa Aivaliklis

D & G

-

I don't have many memories of Grace.  The one that always sticks out to me is when Jesi, Alicia and I got to meet Grace for the first time. We were getting ready to head out for Spring Break, but you had just had Grace.  The three of us came over to your house just as you guys got home from the hospital.  I don't even think Grace was 24 hours old yet.  We all held her and told her what great parents she had been given.  I felt so special because you had allowed us to come over right when you came home because you didn't want us to wait a week to meet her!

I love seeing all of your pictures of Grace growing up.  I hope one day I can be the great mother you are!

Rosie

A great big thanks to each of you who wrote something special for Gracie's 5th birthday.  

We will treasure your words forever.