A Kountry Birthday

Twenty nine years ago today...our first child was born. Amanda Renee weighing in at 9lbs. 2oz. arrived on the scene via C-section. It was love at first sight! We were smitten with this little pink bundle of joy just like all new parents. She was perfect! We were blessed!


She began dance lessons at the age of two and this was from her first recital. She continued taking lessons and having recitals for the next 16+ years. She was very independant and somewhat bossy. We remember her lining up her stuffed toys and telling them what to do!

This was from her last recital in high school. The solo from "Swan Lake" en point.Between the ages of 2 and 18 she had lots of activities...the arrival of 2 brothers...Brownie Girl Scouts, dance, piano lessons, dance, church choir, dance, church youth activities, dance, Odessey of the Mind, dance, and school, and dance. Here she is as the Cheshire Cat from the Fourth Grade program Alice in Wonderland. (Four days before the program she told me she needed a costume! Yes, we made it.)

I think she holds the record in our high school for being in the Drill Team one year...Mascot Wally the Wildcat one year...and Head Cheerleader. Talk about perserverance! She loved being a cheerleader in the 7th grade but didn't make the cut at tryouts the next year...or the next.... or the next....until she was a senior. After graduating, she did a short stint at Stephen F. Austin University. Spent a semester in Orlando in the Disney College Program working in Studio City on The Backlot Tour Ride. She had promised us she would return to college but one day I got a call and heard..."Mom, I want to move to LA when I'm finished here." She was 19. Her dad said No. We let her go. Or I should say we helped her pack and helped her drive out there, helped her set up the apartment (which included several tips to Target and a screw driver!) and left her there. Did I say she was 19? Did I say I cried at least part of the 1526 mile drive home? Did I say we were and are very proud of her? Going after her dream...a long way from home.

Well ....she got a job...several jobs...worked really hard...made some really good friends and now for the last 7 years has worked as a Personal Assistant to this Choreographer. He's choreographed movies....You Got Served, Stomp the Yard, Step Up Two and TV...So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew and Dancing With The Stars. He also teaches hundreds of kids at dance seminars around the country. Now she doesn't dance but tells the dancers where they need to be. (All that training with the stuffed animals paid off!)

Here we are at the premiere of "Stomp The Yard" two years ago. Yep...I got to walk on the RED CARPET! We had a blast that night! That's her boss Dave...he's one amazing dancer!! Do you recognize my jacket? I wore it (ok..ok...the maniquin wore it) to Deb's party last week! When we get home from the Beach I'll be able to wear it again!

You are probably wondering why I'm calling this post... A Kountry Birthday....Well, having grown up in East Texas, when Amanda got to California she had quite an accent. People started calling her Country and it stuck...she's now known as Kountry to both the coasts(and the screen credits). Not even a last name...just Kountry. And since her brother is going to marry an Amanda .....she might just become known as Kountry here in Texas.

So, Kountry, I'm wishing you a Happy Happy 29th Birthday. You are amazing. You are beautiful. You are a godly woman. You carry the Light. Not only do you carry it but you spread it! You are so much fun. God has an awesome purpose and destiny for you. He has such amazing plans for your life. You are blessed and highly favored! We are so proud of you and all you have done. You will never know how hard it was to leave you in that apartment that day 9 years ago but I wouldn't go back and change a thing. Not. One. Thing. You are perfect. We are blessed! Yes...You are one amazing chik. Yes...I would say you fit the description of Flirty from yesterday to a T... You're a Flirty girl!

Have a Rockin Birthday!

You R the Bomb!

Hugs!
I love you!

You Delight My Heart!

Mom