So I Won't Forget

As I was doing Kylia's hair for the day, she stated, "Mom, I want you to be my teacher when I have kids of my own, because you are a really good parent."

Wow! Melt my heart, make me cry, give me a hug.

Yet another reason why parenting is so worth it!

Faster than a Speeding Bullet!

I have a daughter entering Junior High.  I'm a bit shocked.  I was told that my children would grow up fast, but the minute she hit sixth grade it was as if she was transported through time in a rocket ship.  It all happened a bit faster than I had believed.

The first day she sat with us through worship and then left with the "Big" kids to her JH Sunday School class, was the day the tears started flowing.  I didn't expect these emotions that welled up so quickly, and I wasn't quite prepared for all that needed preparing.  For instance, I began thinking back to when I was in Junior High, and the changes that took place in me, and everyone around me.  The boys that suddenly wanted to go out, and when you didn't answer them fast enough (because, is that okay?) would run off and ask another girl the same day.  I remembered all of the insecurities that seemed to plague me in those years and honestly, I wanted to run.

But, instead of running, I thanked the Lord for this new stage of life that we are entering.  I thanked Him for the beautiful, young lady Adalie is becoming.  I thanked Him for her courage and boldness to try new things, and not shy away from challenges or change.  And then I prayed for wisdom!  I prayed for the words to speak to prepare her for the years to come, a continued closeness so she will always feel free to come to Seth and I with questions and concerns, and then for more wisdom!

Growing up, but still young enough for cuddles with Grandma.

We are entering a new stage!  I have loved each and every one of the last 10 years of Adalie's life, and I am confident the coming years will be even more exciting!!

Never Good Enough

My Beautiful Kylia!

When I was growing up I was required to wear dresses to church.  It was what we did.  It was the norm. Nowadays things are a bit different.  Churches are trying to become more casual, making anyone feel welcome.  I no longer wear dresses as frequently, but jeans and a nice shirt have become my new norm.  But for some reason I still have this expectation for my girls.

Kylia came down this Sunday with a very short skirt on (she keeps growing, but her clothes don't), with shorts underneath, that daddy and I decided was a bit too short.  She then went upstairs and came down with shorts on.  I gently told her that we dress up for church to show proper respect to the Lord. (At least that is what I was taught growing up.)  At this the tears began to flow and continued to flow as we started down the road for church.  

I heard sniffles in the back and decided they could not continue the entire drive, and so I had Seth pull over.  Kylia and I jumped out and talked.  I asked her what was making her cry, and she said she never feels pretty.  Oy!  I asked, "Never?"  She said, "Well, for the last few Sundays.  I'm either too pretty or not pretty enough." And so at the age of eight, she was already feeling what so many woman struggle with in life, "I'm never good enough."  

So, I have been processing this conversation all day.  Kylia is in a stage where she doesn't like dresses, but wants to please mommy and daddy more than anything.  Do I continue to require dresses simply because that is what I know.  Do I look to the heart of my little girl and see that there is no rebellion there and so permit something other than dresses?  (When she wears her holiday dresses, she feels she is too dressed up.  Can she ever win?)  Do I tell her she is beautiful, and that I want her to be who God created her to be, to be confident in who she is, and to know that God made her beautiful no matter what adorns the outside?  That she is beautiful because of what is on the inside?  

I decided dresses weren't the most important issue here.  My daughter, on this day, needed to know she was beautiful because of who she was, not what she was wearing.  So, after asking for forgiveness, sharing that mommy is trying to wade through what is truly important in this life God has given us, the tears dried up and we were once again on our way to church, 2 in dresses and 1 in shorts.  

I desire to capture the heart of my little girl, so that when she becomes a young woman she will come to me with the question, "Mom, is this outfit modest?" confident in her beauty, not running to others for approval of her beauty.  

Lord, give me wisdom.