Jo Beth ~ My last baby!

This is my Jo Beth. My youngest. I call her "Piggy". Its a terrible nick-name but when I gave it to her she was just a baby and eating me out of house and home, it fit well then. It has stuck to her over the years, and I believe I'm the only one that calls her that.
She is a senior this year, and hopes to go on to college to become a Forensic Pathologist. Quote "Dead People don't give you a hard time!" This is Jo Beth's Senior picture. Hot off the presses. Isn't she just a cutie pie?? Braces will be off in December, hopefully in time for her Cap and Gown pictures.
Jo Beth is heavy into JROTC, and wants to go into the military. She is hoping the service will pay for her college, and that she'll love the traveling. She's been in the JROTC for 4 years now, and I don't know exactly what her rank is, but its up there.

Years ago, long before "Blogs", there were webpages. I had created a family webpage. On that webpage I described my life, my family, my dreams and hopes. A lot like this blog. It was there I wrote about Jo Beth, at the time just a little one, about 8 or 9 years old. I remember describing her as "in the making" and "overly-emotional" and in comparison to a "three legged Mule". Just expressing her clumsiness and inability to follow direct orders. I have always loved her differently than the twins. Not more, not less. As a mother my job is to love them all equally! But I can love them differently!
(Picture: Jo Beth with Cheyenne almost 5 years ago)
It's in the jeans I suppose. Jo has always held a special spot in my heart just for being the youngest. I suppose I had more patience than anyone for Jo Beth. Lindalee and Lee Ann are always saying I didn't raise her the same. I didn't discipline her enough, and force her to do chores completely etc. That I let her get away with things I would never have let them get away with. That my whole way of dealing with Jo Beth was different than how I dealt with them. And they are correct. I am different with her. I disciplined her differently, and didn't delve into the importance of picking up a cup left behind, for 10 minutes. I could do it a lot faster if she didn't do it, and with less arguing. I didn't get on her for leaving the bathroom a mess after a shower. I could pick it up twice as fast as I could tell her about it. It wasn't as important to me that her room was clean, or that she had tons of friends, either.

(Picture:Jo Beth 5 years ago when we first moved into our house in Walkertown showing everyone our fireplace. She must get the "posing" from her sister Lee Ann. )

We dance in the kitchen, we sing all over the house! She is smart as a whip, but not so street savvy. We cry and laugh about everything. She talks to me about things that upset her, and about things she thinks about in her future. We are the Gilmore Girls. She's my other side, and I believe I'm hers. She's the last of the last. My very last puppy, and I will miss her incredibly when she goes on to find her way into life.
I know she'll always be there for us, for me. Its just knowing I can't call her down to make me a cup of coffee, or to dance with in the kitchen......(boo hooing).
She's not like Linda who would help me in the yard, or like Lee Ann who would help with the bills or shopping. She's more like my walking emotional side. She feels everything and anything, and I find her feelings are hurt easily. She will make a great doctor or anyone in the medical field, as her heart goes deep and she'll feel their pain. At the very least, she'll have a great bed-side manner, and we could use more medical people like that!!
It will truly be interesting to see how Jo Beth's life pans out. I wonder if she'll reach her goal to be who she wants to be, or if she'll go into the military. Will she meet a great guy while in Germany, and get married and have 4 children? Whatever and whoever she turns out to be, I'll know one thing. She is my "little piggy" and I'm proud of her no matter what life has in store for her. She can't do any wrong in my eyes, now or then. I love her higher than the sky, and deeper than the ocean. I'm with you honey......Till the end of eternity!