My baby . . .

Brag night. This is my baby, one of my two best creations in this life time. This picture is last year's high school soccer picture. We haven't received this year's yet and she changed high schools and colors when we moved this year. Anyhoo, Lauren made the varisty soccer team this year (as a sophomore) and tonight at the end-of-year soccer dinner (at our house which explains part of my loopiness lately), she received an award for best defender for her team AND was recognized as the best "sweeper" in the Northern Los Angeles league of high school teams. We are waiting to see if she will be recognized as one of the best defenders in all of Los Angeles. I am so proud of her, I can't tell you. This is the second year in a row that for two different high schools in two different leagues she received an award for best defender and was the only player on either team to play every minute of every game.

Beyond that she is one cool chick, great grades in honor classes, great friends, as sweet as they come, and three times been approached in public places to be in a commercial or TV show (the last time was just before Christmas). But she has her feet firmly on the ground and nose to the grind stone and doesn't seem all that interested in pursuing an acting or TV career. (maybe because her dad, who works in the movie industry, has jaded her against it) Above all, Lauren is hands down the one that can make me laugh to tears more than anyone in this world. She is my daughter and I her mother, but we are friends beyond that and she is one of my most favorite people to hang with in the world. We have never hit those terrible teen years you hear about. She is a joy to be around and inspires me daily. My biggest fear with Lauren is not her gigantic boyfriend or partying but driving which is fast approaching. I'm already nervous and wondering "how do parents do this?"

I have an older son I will brag about some day too but we will save him for another day so we don't make you completely nauseus tonight.