This post is dedicated to the birthday of my oldest offspring. On Feb 4, 1972, Jennifer Paige Bain came kicking and screaming into this cruel world and instantly it became a better place. She took her good time and waited until evening but it was worth the wait. She is a fun, happy, sweet daughter and I am thankful God blessed Bill and I with Jenny! She weighed 7 lb 4 oz and I had not a clue what to do with her. The hospital told us after 3 days that we had stayed as long as our insurance would let us and it was time to leave!! They gave us Jenny but they didn't give us a manual as to what to do next! So we got in our fine small orange Vega and drove to our new home on the west side of Houston ready to parent this child into adulthood. Thank heavens for my sister, mom and a few close friends. I learned how to fold diapers, sterilize bottles, burp, clean up spit up and the art of creeping down the hall so she wouldn't wake up! That was a gift God had to give me because until then I could have slept through a tornado!
In Jr High she ran track...she was pretty fast for a white girl but when your district is mostly non-white, well, let's just say she didn't win a lot of ribbons! She loved volleyball and cheerleading in Jr Hi and High School. Speaking from her mother/coach of 17 years, I think she was best suited for these sports. She was
also very graceful at water skiing!!
She once sang the "Good Ole Baylor Line" at a fellowship at church when she was three. Bill took her to a rather large Baylor Letterman's banquet in Houston
a few weeks later and she wouldn't sing a note. He was so embarrassed; they left and when they got to the car she said, "Ok, I'll do it now". She didn't get the chance and I think he told me he left her on the curb for a while!! I don't know where I was but I'm glad I wasn't there! She was in the "Sound of Music" at church and was also baby Jesus in the FBC Pageant; she cried a lot. She was in several piano recitals and it brought us to tears....not because we were so proud but because I gave up 3rd row, Houston Rockets' playoff tickets to hear her play "Theme from E.T." - or was that David?
She joined Kappa Alpha Theta and spent lots of time and money there making lots of good friends and memories. Jen also acquired a cat during her Baylor days. "Gorby" was a great friend and he even came home to live with us for a few years....just like my other two children who have "left" their animals for me to raise. Gorby didn't eat near as much as the two labs!!
She found the love of her life at BU, Shannon Johnston and they were married in January of 1996 in Houston. They have given us two wonderful granddaughters, Allie and Kate. The only thing I can say about Shannon that was not exactly on my plan was his moving my girls to Louisiana! As long as he lets me visit as often as I want to drive 4 hours to "who dat" country, I guess I'll let them stay....like I have any say in this!!
Jenny was your typical kid running around, messing up stuff, falling down and bleeding, pulling all of the kleenex out of the box, pulling the dog's ear and asking "where's daddy?" all day....I wondered the same thing! Why did he get to leave all day and only come home when it was time to play for 15 minutes and then put her in bed!! She was precocious and had an answer for ever
ything. She told David once, "Come on and play with me; I'll let you be second!" How kind! Once during a bad storm she asked me, "who is going to take care of us?" and in my fine Christian wisdom I told her "God would". About 10 minutes later she walked to the back door and said, "when is God going to get here?" She was 3 years old then and sometimes at 63, I'm asking the same question. She even asked me one time, "Mom, can I tell you something without you just saying 'Well, tough'?" That will make you step back and think for a second.
ything. She told David once, "Come on and play with me; I'll let you be second!" How kind! Once during a bad storm she asked me, "who is going to take care of us?" and in my fine Christian wisdom I told her "God would". About 10 minutes later she walked to the back door and said, "when is God going to get here?" She was 3 years old then and sometimes at 63, I'm asking the same question. She even asked me one time, "Mom, can I tell you something without you just saying 'Well, tough'?" That will make you step back and think for a second. She told David once that the reason the lady in front of us could take the Lord's Supper was because "she has already been crucified!" She also wanted to know who God's wife was? Her dream job when she grew up was to work at the cleaners or the "Film and Photo" drive-thru! This was the same child that saw me vacuuming the floor and ask me "who's coming for dinner?" I'm sure I deserved this but spoken by your 5 year old makes you think bad thoughts!!
My 3 children have been in every lesson and sport known to man except ice skating. My niece did that and I knew right there that those hours were much too early for this old girl!!! Jenny was in a little of everything.....dancing, gymnastics, cheerleading, softball, tennis, volleyball, basketball, track, soccer, choir, piano just to name a few. She was definitely better at some that others. The 
tennis coach ask me once if she perhaps was left-handed because she wasn't very good right handed...that would be no!
tennis coach ask me once if she perhaps was left-handed because she wasn't very good right handed...that would be no! She played basketball all during Junior High and I even brib
ed her with a new Laura Ashley dress to play in High School. After I bought it and she wore it once, she quit basketball. She still owes me for that dress!! I am not bitter, however!! One summer she tried the swim team. She went to the pool, dived in, swam one length of the pool and got out and said, "this is not for me!" We left...that was fine with me....swim meets are really long! The soccer picture here.....that is the closest the ball got to her all season....I actually think the ball accidentally hit her leg once; she was a one-season wonder!
ed her with a new Laura Ashley dress to play in High School. After I bought it and she wore it once, she quit basketball. She still owes me for that dress!! I am not bitter, however!! One summer she tried the swim team. She went to the pool, dived in, swam one length of the pool and got out and said, "this is not for me!" We left...that was fine with me....swim meets are really long! The soccer picture here.....that is the closest the ball got to her all season....I actually think the ball accidentally hit her leg once; she was a one-season wonder!
In Jr High she ran track...she was pretty fast for a white girl but when your district is mostly non-white, well, let's just say she didn't win a lot of ribbons! She loved volleyball and cheerleading in Jr Hi and High School. Speaking from her mother/coach of 17 years, I think she was best suited for these sports. She was
also very graceful at water skiing!! She once sang the "Good Ole Baylor Line" at a fellowship at church when she was three. Bill took her to a rather large Baylor Letterman's banquet in Houston a few weeks later and she wouldn't sing a note. He was so embarrassed; they left and when they got to the car she said, "Ok, I'll do it now". She didn't get the chance and I think he told me he left her on the curb for a while!! I don't know where I was but I'm glad I wasn't there! She was in the "Sound of Music" at church and was also baby Jesus in the FBC Pageant; she cried a lot. She was in several piano recitals and it brought us to tears....not because we were so proud but because I gave up 3rd row, Houston Rockets' playoff tickets to hear her play "Theme from E.T." - or was that David? Jenny enjoyed Taylor High School, graduating with Honor Cords, whatever that might mean....it means she is smarter than me....her team won the all-important Powder Puff football game that was played against the boys playing on one leg and after graduating went off to Baylor for years of fun and I don't-want-to-know-what-else!!! 
She joined Kappa Alpha Theta and spent lots of time and money there making lots of good friends and memories. Jen also acquired a cat during her Baylor days. "Gorby" was a great friend and he even came home to live with us for a few years....just like my other two children who have "left" their animals for me to raise. Gorby didn't eat near as much as the two labs!!
She found the love of her life at BU, Shannon Johnston and they were married in January of 1996 in Houston. They have given us two wonderful granddaughters, Allie and Kate. The only thing I can say about Shannon that was not exactly on my plan was his moving my girls to Louisiana! As long as he lets me visit as often as I want to drive 4 hours to "who dat" country, I guess I'll let them stay....like I have any say in this!!
Jenny is a mother's dream. She is Godly, compassionate, caring and a friend to all....she is not only my daughter but one of my best friends! Thank you, Jenny, for being mine. I know you will feel the same way about your girls as the way I do.....take advantage of all the time you have with them because before you know it, you'll be paying for a wedding ...or two! Happy Birthday to Jenny - one of God's greatest gifts!!
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