BJ's "Baby Girl"

Today, BJ's “baby girl” (as he called her) is 8 years old. He was always so proud of her and I’m sure he’s in Heaven watching her with the biggest of smiles on his face. He would love how smart, creative, funny,  and wild she continues to be. He would love every little thing about her, as he always did, and it's so sad he's not here with us to enjoy watching her grow. I know he watches from Heaven with a smile on his face seeing all the good in her life; all the things she is learning, all the memories she is making, and all the ways her daddy is not forgotten. He would really love what I have planned for her birthday!

It started when she couldn't quite decide what she was going to do for her birthday party and when she did decide, things weren't panning out as she had hoped. So, Grandma said, “Hey, let's have a “Hide ‘n Go Seek” party. Grandma will hide somewhere in the state of Oregon, Cheyenne can seek her, and when she finds her we will have a party!” I was excited that Cheyenne caught on quickly and said, “the state of Oregon is too big grandma!” And I said, “oh, no-no-no, it will be fun.” She said, “you have to at least tell me the town and it has to be close to Prineville.” I said, “there aren’t a lot of towns near Prineville.” She said, “Grandma, there is Madras, Culver, Redmond, and Bend!” She still wasn’t agreeable to grandma’s shenanigan’s, but that didn’t stop me from planning a little fun with her!

I called Carrie and she was on board. I mean, after all, she would have to run her daughter around finding the clues! I had so much fun putting the clues together and mostly wanted to make it reading fun for Cheyenne! I typed out five letters for her. The first one I mailed to her, the second one she will pick up at her daddy's old work (T S & S Ford), the third one will be at her mom's old job (the college), #4 will be at The Madras Aquatic Center (MAC). That clue will lead her to the park that is up the hill from there and she will find her last clue on Rex (Grandma’s Flex). I think she will have lots of fun reading the rhyming clues and it will keep her well entertained.

I know BJ would absolutely love this fun we are doing, but mostly he would love that even though he can’t be with her, she still knows him through her memories and his family. He would be happy that we all continue to work together for Cheyenne to have a happy life, spend time with all her family, and to make sure all her birthdays are special for his baby girl.