Our Hailey Bailey is now FIFTEEN and just as much a joy to be around as ever. I swear this girl is sunshine personified. She has a natural tendency to find the good in any situation and I hope she knows how much I genuinely enjoy getting to hang out with her. She’s so fun.

Hailey at 15. Ok, Where do I begin? She’s a self-motivated girl with high standards. She is driven to get good grades but is learning to balance it nicely to avoid perfectionist tendencies. She’s incredibly responsible- one of those people that if you ask to do something you can trust with your whole heart that she’ll get it done. She’s honest and has a strong moral code.

She is competitive in board games and on the soccer field and basketball court. She’s dedicated to her piano playing and theory lessons. She appreciates an organized room with seasonal decor accents. Her mini Hyland cow in a football helmet just made his way onto her shelf and she has a fall candle on her candle warmer. She loves a cozy feel as much as her mama!

While these things might give you some insight into what she’s like, the real story is this girl’s heart. She’s a strong sensitive type that I admire. She can pick up on others’ emotions easily and feels deeply but doesn’t ride the up and down roller coaster of emotion (like her mom might have a tendency to do). She’s emotionally deep, but steady. And kind.

She has personality that people are drawn to. She is a little giggly when her nerves get the best of her but her quiet confidence in who she is and her sincerity wins people over.

So yes, she has a big heart. She is sweet. But, but, if she lets you close to her, you’ll get to see her spicy side, too. Her quick wit and sass sometimes catch me off guard and make me laugh. It’s been fun to watch that side develop as she makes her way through the teen years.

.

My role as her mom is such a blessing and I love seeing her appreciation when I make her a grilled cheese and tomato soup, but my role is also shifting. At 15 years old I’m transitioning to more of a coaching role and less of a dictator. I’m honored when I get to help her with in-text citations and take pleasure when I can surprise her by knocking out folding her laundry from time to time. However, I’m noticing how capable she is more and more each day. This girl can handle herself. She’s disciplined and responsible and does both while also enjoying life.

With my shifting role, the line between authority figure and friend is blurring in a good way. She still needs our guidance but rarely our discipline. Standing more beside her and less in front paving the way is bittersweet, but how does the saying go? The role of a parent is to work yourself out of a job?

This birthday was extra special because it was her GOLDEN birthday, turning 15 on the 15th. I leaned into the theme and had so much fun putting together a few special touches. The day itself fell on a Tuesday so there was still piano to attend and some school work to do, but we celebrated big.

The day started out with biscuits, eggs, and a trip to the DMV. I had told her that a lot of people don’t pass on the first go and just to give it her best, and boy was it exciting when she walked out of the testing room to hear “congratulations” from the man behind the counter. We wasted no time and she drove us all home from the DMV!

.

AT home she took a biology test before we headed to piano. After piano lessons she mentioned wanting to drive. She’s driven with David many times, but never just with me but I figured there has to be a first time for everything so we went for it. She did so well!

We squeezed an escape room adventure into the afternoon, where we did not escape and all agreed we like the other escape room place better (ha!), but it was a fun adventure nonetheless.

We came home to marinated chicken and noodles and tres leches cake (her request) before diving into cards and presents. This girl was doted upon by family and received several gifts that completely lit her up and had her excited. Then came the last gift from David and me…

.

When she opened that box, her law literally dropped. Her eyes got huge and tears welled up. So naturally, so did mine. And there it was, her first phone, catching her completely by surprise!

When I tell you this girl has never asked for a phone or questioned when she’d get one, I mean it. In a move that probably deserves its own post, David and I decided it felt like the right time, and getting to pull of this as a complete surprise is a memory that will stick with me.

.

We sure do love you, kiddo. More than you’ll ever know <3

Some Hailey favorites at 15:

• foods: a good burger, Italian subs, ground beef taco bowls, grilled cheese and tomato soup
• songs: Better Me for You, Should Have Been a Cowboy, The Ride, Done For, Buy a Boy a Baseball
• books: I Capture the Castle, Anne of Green Gables
• movies: I’m not sure if she has a fav? She loves repeating classic comfort movies, like Disney princess movies, Back to the Future, National Treasure, and the Harry Potters
• shows: we are loving watching Gilmore Girls together (both time through the series for both of us)
• hobbies: junk journaling, learning to crochet
• accomplishments: she published her first book!, she made JV basketball, she continues to level up in music theory, she’s getting all A’s, but mostly she’s a great person <3

A look back:

• Hailey is 14 Years Old
• Hailey is 13 Years Old
• Hailey at 12 Years Old
• Hailey at 11 Years Old
• Hailey at 10 Years Old
• Hailey at 9 years old
• Day in the Life: Hailey just turned 8
• Hailey at 7 years old
• Hailey at 6 years old
• Hailey at 5 years old
• Hailey at 4 years old
• Hailey at 3 years old
• Hailey at 2 and a half
• Hailey at 2 years old
• Hailey at 1 year old
• Hailey at 10 months old
• Hailey at 8 months old
• Hailey’s birth story part one and part two