Fourteen Years of the Best Girl

I took this picture last week when Bryn and I went out to lunch when she had to get fitted for her second retainer at the Orthodontist. It is a favorite of mine now...it shows her sweetness and beauty.
Fourteen years ago today I was at Ormond Memorial Hospital in labor with her. Little did I know that those long, hard hours would be the easiest of the past 14 years. It is difficult to raise a girl that is just like yourself. Out of all of our kids, she looks most like me...and also the exact same temperament. But that's okay...she is still my joy. So, with all the newness of being a parent...each day is new for her and for us. We have never raised a girl that is fourteen...by our last child, we will be old pros. So, there is so much more grace for her because she is our first. And along with that grace, comes the double portion of blessing.
One of the main differences that she has compared to me...is that she has a solid, loving home. She doesn't have "father" issues like I have had. She has never struggled to know if she is accepted by her dad. That makes a huge difference. Though she has the normal "teenage insecurities," she has never questioned the love of her father. I am thankful to Matt, for constantly pursuing our children...it is a rarity these days.
She is finding her way in this life...what will she become...what will she do. It's amazing to see her blossom during this time. She loves God and is actively pursuing him...that blesses me beyond words. I am constantly finding a way to seek her out...how to reach out to her...and love her.
I thank God every day for the blessing that she is and what she will become. It is an honor to be her mother. She is going to leave an awesome print on this world. I can and will only accept the best for her...she is a gift...and has been for fourteen years.

Comments

Superhero Mom said…
I love that she will indeed make her mark in this world...and it will be beautiful & eternal!
March 4, 2011 at 1:54 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pulling Myself Out of the Deepest, Darkest Depression...My Story

Image
     This post has been churning in me for months and knew that I wanted to write it and post it one day. I have been very open and honest about where I have been at the last few years, so some of what I write today may not be a surprise to anyone. Either way, I hope it brings help and healing and promise to some of you.      Two years and ten months ago my husband and I had just got into bed. It wasn't very late...maybe around 10pm. Life had been busy...he had just flown in that morning. He was long distance commuting between Florida and North Carolina with his job. I had picked him up that morning in the Greenville, South Carolina airport and then we headed to a swim meet in the same town for our daughter, Esther. We were there most of the day...stopping at some stores before we headed back to our home in North Carolina. I hadn't talked to my mom in a few days, which was rare. I was super busy and she hadn't called me either. I called her, and she didn't answer.
Read more

2020...What does that look like to you? I am ready to BLOOM!

Image
As I sit here at my desk, we have already gone through the first few days of 2020. I keep shaking my head when I think that we are already 20 years into this century. Doesn't it feel like moments ago we were talking about Y2K? So much has happened since then. Matthew and I were talking just this morning that I will turn 45 this year, and how half of my 40s will be over and how fast they have gone. And how difficult they have been. But I have hope. I never lose hope. I got that from my mom. I am expecting a great year. Not because I think I won't have trials this year, it's because I am stronger than ever before. So, a few days ago I was listening to something. I can't even remember what it was. But I heard the word BLOOM. And I instantly knew God was saying that this is my word for the year. I don't always take a word for the year, but I knew God was speaking to me. He told me that this is my year to BLOOM. The old is put away and the new is coming. I am walking i
Read more

Warning: Do you think your child may be Dyslexic?

Image
Three years ago today our world changed so much here at the Reynolds Nation. On that day we found out officially by the psychologist that Judah was dyslexic. I had been concerned for about 9 months that he was...I had heard on Good Morning one day what are some of the signs of dyslexia. Though I always watched my kids for dyslexia, Judah just didn't have the classic signs... like the turning of the letters B, D and P.  Everyone always looks for that, but Judah didn't do that. But he was behind in his reading. And wasn't progressing in a rate that was okay. So, we had him tested. And it was confirmed. And on that day I started an intense search to find what help we could find for Judah. Several people pointed us to the Barton Reading and Spelling program...and that's the avenue we took. I took the training program and I tutored Judah...he went from a reading level of a kindergartner/first grader to a sixth grader when we were finished with the program. And then I s
Read more