She's Growing Up

We finally did it. We shopped in the junior department because frankly darling kiddo is just too big for girls' sizes anymore. How did this happen? She is growing up-way too fast.


Here is her outfit of choice.....


She wore it to the athletic banquet at her school last night. Hard to believe that another year of sports is coming to an end. She will never play sixth grade basketball or volleyball ever again. Sad. But so happy that she is growing into the young woman that God has planned for her to be from the beginning of time. Resting in His sovereignty and grace as we prepare to enter the teenage years! YIKES!

Taking Her Hurt Away

I have to admit that my focus lately has been on Jill. I think about her all the time, miss her, read books to prepare to be her momma, watch every documentary I can get my hands, continue to set up her room, visit sites of other adoptive parents for advice, learn as much mandarin as I can.... You get the idea.

Sometimes I forget that my darling kiddo's life is about to be turned upside down. She is not an overly compassionate child by nature. She never played mommy and she does not enjoy hugs from many people other than me. She is almost as uncomfortable around babies as her daddy. Babies (classified by her as children under three) scare the living daylights out of her. They are unpredictable and she may loose herself to them as they have a way of capturing your heart. So because of this, she guards herself heavily around them. All of this said, bringing a new baby into our house where she has been the one and only is not going to be easy for her.

I have to admit..I worry. I worry that she will have difficulty finding her new place and embracing her new role once Jill gets here. Yesterday was a rough day for her as she had to sacrifice something that is really important to her because we will most likely be picking up her sister in China and miss out on the event. This was a realization for her that this is really happening and somethings in her life are never going to be the same. She was hurting and as she cried this momma just held her girl, who is almost bigger than I am by now, and prayed over her crying myself.

Why is it so painful to see your children hurt? I would give anything to take this pain from her..to make her experience of becoming a big sis-smooth, easy, pleasant, BUT it may not be. It may be hard, frustrating, and confusing. It may be that she will be hurt and have to readjust to a new kind of normal. I came across a verse in my Bible study this week that reminded me..though many things may not be easy-they will not harm you. This time in our lives is probably not going to be easy..BUT God promises to never leave us or forsake us AND that, my friends, is a promise that I am praying over my big girl as she walks this adventure alongside mommy and daddy into the unknown. Praying that my darling kiddo gets that today. Praying that she continues to learn to lean on Him through the hurting.

Walking This Road For Myself

I have been in youth ministry for about eight years now. I have walked alongside many families who are parenting tweens guiding them into the teen years. I have offered advice, provided an ear, and most importantly prayed for wisdom for parents as they guide their children through this stage. Now, here I walk on this road for myself and the reality that I am having to become accustomed to parenting an almost teenager myself is setting in. I am facing the challenges, realities, and joys first hand nowadays.



That has been apparent this week as we headed to the apple orchard for some intentional family bonding. You see these days, she is tolerant of these trips, but definitely possesses less enthusiasm than in years earlier. She "allows" me to take a few pictures, she picks a few apples, and she smiles off and on through out our time. She even announces with grandeur that she is not interested in going in the playground. (As if I didn't know that!) Still, I know that these are precious times that will all too soon come to an end. What a beautiful gift from God-being able to parent this darling kiddo is!



As we were picking together, I was thinking that just as darling kiddo is examining the apples on the tree and trying to pick the ones best and most suited for our bag-God has picked her to live this life at this time because she is the best and most suited to accomplish His work here and in this generation. Our conversations of this nature never last long, but the seeds of her budding faith are being cultivated. And oh how I treasure every moment and word we spend together with the Lord regardless.

God is at work and I am being as obedient as I can to Deuteronomy 11:19 Teach them (God's words and ways) to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. I understand that she is beginning to go her own way, but I am certain that I have done and am doing all I can to pass my faith along to her. The rest is up to the Lord who is faithful and who loves her even more than I do.

I found a great new resource for parenting tweens. Check out www.secretkeeper.com for Dannah Gresh's new book-Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl and a one year devo book for moms and tweens. I am loving these resources. If you know of any others, please pass them along in the comments to this momma-who needs as much help as she can get.

The Best Day EVER!!

Today was the Best Day EVER because I spent the entire day with my darling kiddo doing something that we both love HIKING!! It is peaceful, serene, and free (can't get any better than that)! :)




She loved the waterfalls, rock formations, and beauty. She didn't love the mention of venomous snakes on the danger sign before entering the park, but she quickly got over those fears with a little encouragement. :)



How could a momma not love a day spent with her sweet girl-watching her skip rocks for thirty minutes, squishing her manicured (she's been with grandma) toes in the mud, and listening to her laugh. How I love this child.. What a huge blessing God has given me in her!!



We ended our perfect day the same way we end most perfect days-at the ice cream shop..non fat cookies and cream yogurt for me and chocolate marshmallow for her. This is our favorite ice cream shop in Utica. One we frequent after most hiking trips.



Sure seems like as she becomes a teenager..she is slipping away a little more each day..so these days are gold to a momma who can't believe her precious girl is turning eleven in a few days!! As close to perfect as it gets this side of eternity!