Happy Birthday Amanda!

Dear Amanda,

The Daily Olympian simply said, "Arend, Brenda and Jack, Olympia, a girl, Jan. 29, 1995."

That little public announcement didn't come close to expressing how overjoyed we were to become your parents!





It's been so much fun to be your mom and dad, and today as you turns 15, we couldn't be more proud of you. You are funny, smart, good natured and thoughtful. We have loved seeing you grow in your relationship with Jesus as well as seeing God's expression of love to US as parents, blessing us with a kid like you.

Today when you were getting your driver's permit, I couldn't believe that 15 years have passed by since I woke one morning to find that "the water was broken" and we knew we would become parents in the next several hours. What we didn't know was how much fun it was going to be to watch you grow!

So my Panda Bear, happy happy birthday to you! We love you tons and can't wait to see what the next 15 years of having you as our daughter brings to our family!!!

You and your cousins (well, those you had at the time). Collin, Kaisha and Nicole. You were about 1 week old in each of these pictures.

You at about 9 months old. This was the stage when people asked if I put your hair in curlers.

Below are pictures of you turning one. Your cheeks are pink because you had just gotten up from a late nap. Family was going to come over but the highways were ice so you partied it up with just mom and dad.

Now, the below pics were taken today! You've come a long way baby!

Congratulations Amanda!