17 Years of Audrey Michal

It doesn’t seem possible! 17 years ago last Friday the 3rd, I gave birth to Audrey Michal.

My name sake. As a blue eyed, blond headed Tamplin, she has always stood out!

God blessed us for the 3rd time that day, with another extremely unique and complex and WONDERFUL gift. Born on a Friday at 7:22 pm, I’d say she is (personality wise) the most like her father. Hence the “complex”.

Audrey with her baby sister, Mady

She keeps me guessing to say the least. Guessing as to what she’s thinking, feeling, really everything!

Audrey with her friends… Going to a Katy Perry Concert last summer

SHE KEEPS US LAUGHING!!

She’ll be the most quiet and reserved at any family function and then out of the blue, she’ll have us all rolling.

Jeff and I got a good laugh last fall, when Emma (Our oldest daughter) explained to us that psychologically speaking, Audrey’s personality type is one that will always choose the opposite direction of the one others recommend for her. We laughed deep belly-laughs at this proclamation, due to the fact that Emma was telling US this strong personality trait of Audrey’s!?! 17 years of doing battle with this girl’s brain, would leave the most well-seasoned parent tapping out in utter defeat… In a good way! LOL

She is headstrong to say the least. Showing her independence from as early as 4 months by beginning to crawl.

Then walk at 9 months.

She wouldn’t let us rock her to sleep, but rather would cry until we laid her down in her bed to put herself to sleep.

Emma, Jade, Audrey

With all of her brother’s enthusiasm for life (he was LOUD) and her older sister’s leadership skills (she was “in-charge”) Audrey would often disappear behind the scenes, where we’d find her later playing alone or putting a puzzle together. She was a master at puzzles!

Audrey aspired for a much larger contribution to this world from the time she was 2 and would often proclaim “I not Audrey! I Pocahontas!”

Watching this sci-fi loving, avid reader, and dreamer mature into such a precious, loving and calm spirit has been an amazing and blessed journey for us!