Peyton turns Sweet Sixteen

This past weekend we celebrated with family and friends my niece, Peyton, turning 16.  Honestly, I can't believe Peyton is 16 and 2 years away from officially being an adult!!!!  I still remember when I was 15 and Peyton came in this world.  (On a side note, crazy fact is that Peyton was 15 when Grey was born, as I was when she was born, also, there birthdays are 10 days apart in January.  Her's is the 21st & Grey's is the 11th).  Back to the story...I remember holding baby Peyton in my arms!  It was a love I had never experienced before.  It was a love that unknowingly prepared me for the love that I would experience for Grey 15 years later.  I remember when I was having a tough day or stressed, I would think of her (& can't forget precious Drew too), and the bad of the day would melt away.  Those 2 kids ALWAYS made me have a better day.  I still look at there pictures and smile BIG!

Peyt has grown into a lovely young woman.  She is a talented musician, vocalist and creative individual.  You know when you hear someone say she is her mother's child?  This is the truth when it comes to Heather & Peyt.  Peyt see's the beauty in the small things and has so much compassion for everyone and everything.  This is truly inspiring.  There are times when Peyt and I are in a conversation and she loses me 1/2 way through because her creative process is way out of my realm of possibilities.  This is sooooo her mother too.  I remember growing up how this would frustrate me with Heather, but now I appreciate & love it with Peyt.  It is as if all those years with Heather prepared me for the conversations I would one day have with her daughter!   One of the things I love most about Peyt is she DREAMS BIG!!!  Everyone knows a dreamer in their life and can appreciate where I am coming from.  Slowly she is beginning to realize that the decisions she makes today has consequence on her dreams for tomorrow.  This is one of the biggest lessons I learned in high school, especially when it came to my dream of going to college. At the same time, this is also one of life's rewards in that you start to see your dreams become reality!!!  My "sweet 16" birthday wish for Peyton is that she see's many of her dreams become reality in her lifetime.  Most importantly that she works through all the blood, sweat & tears and never deters from her path in order to make them a reality!   Happy Birthday Peyton, I love you!

Here are some photos from the party!  Enjoy!

Peyt & her BFF Megan

Opeming gifts

Peyt with Heather (her mom)

Peyt with Brett (her dad)

blew out candles in ONE breath!!!

Of course it wouldn't be a "Brandy" post without pictures of my baby boy!!!

Heather & G

caught him in mid stride

Bridget & G

Playing with his FAV toy!!!  Classic one finger style!

I love love love applique shirts with his name monogrammed on it!  Especially love this shirt  b/c one of my sweet friends, Tiffany Jackson, made it for him!!!!  Love it!