What a Year, Darling!

Good morning, darling!

It's been a long while since I've gotten on your blog and written--but today I wanted to hit some high points of this year...just so we can have something to look back on in the future and reflect and remember....

Oh, darling, how I love you!

You quite literally take my breath away!

These days, you are growing so quickly! I look at you some mornings and realize that you really are, quite, taller. It's crazy to think how all of a sudden it seems that you are GROWN--or will be!

You are beautiful.

Let's see, this year has been a whirlwind, and I won't detail everything, but I will say that there are some things we want to remember--

KIDS CAMP--...was interesting (may be your last due to the "bugs" that you had to deal with, and the crazy behavior of the kids around you!) But here, too, you started noticing that you really didn't fit in with the kids this age. You told me that you were looking forward to Youth Camp so you could hang out with older kids...Yes. You've always been more comfortable with more mature acting people--whether they be your age or mine. :) We just received the handout for the PBJ camp. But you aren't sure whether you are going or not, because you don't really have anyone going that you relate to. It's interesting to watch you grow and negotiate socially. You make decisions to be true to yourself (even if that means being alone) rather than trying to act like someone you're not to fit in with other kids. I know it's hard--you told me so.

"I like being around my friends, Momma," you told me a few weeks ago. "But I can be on my own if I have to be." That spoke volumes to me, sister. Just volumes.

I am so proud of the young woman you are growing up to be.

Lest we forget, and remember only the "bug situation" and other nonsensical occurrences at camp, we MUST REMEMBER THIS. Sissy, when you came home from Kids Camp, one of the first things you told me what what the Lord had said to you one night during altar time. "Momma, I'm called to missions." You knew it.

And the Lord continues to speak to you--and all of us. It's in your spiritual DNA, sissy, to tend to people and care for them and serve them with your life. I praise God for the Call He has on our family--and the one He has most graciously extended to you.

I KNOW HE HAS GREAT THINGS IN STORE FOR YOU, SISSY. I know it with all of my heart.

VOICE LESSONS--You are THRIVING in your voice lessons, and I get to listen to your sessions (you haven't told me to leave yet! ha!), and it blows me away, the beautiful quality of your voice. I know that our Lord opened the door for you to study under Ms. Natlynn. I know He has big things in store for you, sissy. BIG THINGS.

YOU CHANGED SCHOOLS--Oh, what a journey that was! We both cried when we realized, this past summer, that changes were coming...there were so many unanswered questions...but you are, and we know this, precisely where God called you to be. Ms. Sherry, our children's pastor said she noticed an immediate difference. You really like it there. And I couldn't be happier.

THE REVIVAL PROPHECY--This summer, in a revival conference at church, the evangelist called you over to speak over you. It was INCREDIBLE, and I don't remember all of it--though I'm sure there are notes somewhere, and a video too, if you are ever interested in seeing it live--but one thing I remember is what he said over you--that you are a Miriam. That you will impact generations.

Oh, sissy, I have no doubt.

Well, I must stop here...but know that this Momma loves you with all of her heart, FOR EVER, and I am praying for you, your children, and your children's children. I may never see their faces this side of Heaven, but I will see you all when it is time, over there!

I love you so much, precious daughter.

Love Always,
Mommy

Little Darling Ten-ager

Little darling ten-ager,
You are not so "little" anymore.
As you near age ten,
You remind me that the "double digits"
Are close upon us.

Little darling ten-ager,
It is bitter-sweet to see you grow--
You need me less and less these days;
So when you ask for hugs,
I linger just a second or two too long.

Little darling ten-ager,
I'm thrilled to hear you reason,
See you process information on your own;
I love to see your heart and hands extended
As you reach out to others with God's love.

Little darling ten-ager,
I know such is the way of Life,
That you are coming into your own;
But I want you to know that your Momma
Loves you, forever, with all that she is.




I love you, Psalmie.
Love, Mommy

To My Not-So-Little Darling, Ever-Changing

This, to you, my not-so-little darling;
My poetically framed love letter
To an ever-changing young woman in the making.

Oh, my, how quickly time is flying by...
Sometimes I cannot believe how you have grown,
Are growing--right in front of my eyes.

You are beautiful, you.
Darling Girl, with perfect smile
And laugh and spirit. I adore you.

There are moments that I stare at you--
For as long as I dare without your noticing--
And I realize, even as I do, that you have changed again.

Again?! Oh, Time, please slow for me!
Just even a moment here and there,
So I can breathe and pray and give thanks--

For these moments, so swiftly they race by--
I cannot hold onto one! (Though I'll die trying.)
You are precious to me, dear one. I love you with ALL of me.

Looking 13...Already...

You are looking so GROWN UP lately, I've noticed. And it's both delightful and frightening to me, your adoring mother.

I love seeing your style develop--you love wearing your hair straight, lip gloss, your cute red pants and long sleeved shirt. This and your sparkly black UGG boots you were wearing as you left the house for school today.

You're everything I'd ever hoped for in a daughter. You're sweet and smart and sassy and you love Jesus with all of your heart.

You remind me of me and your daddy in ways, and, with your love for fashion and hair, I see you emulating your big sisters. But though you are, in some ways, like all of us, you are uniquely your own.

Already I can see the Lord working in you. I can see His hand upon you, His presence is already with you.

I guess what I wanted most to say this morning is that I adore you, love you, darling. I'm so very proud of you and who you are becoming.

And I'm so thankful to God for giving me YOU.

Mommy loves you, darling, always and forever,

Me.

Your First Tears

I'm taking a break from grading English Composition II term papers to record what I've just witnessed...

We are at school.  You've been coming to classes with me while I teach, since your sisters aren't at home for weeks at a time this summer.  You sit in the back of the class, on a computer, with your headphones on, watching Disney films, primarily.

You came up to me, just now, while I was grading, with tears falling down your cheeks.  I had no idea what was going on or what had happened.  I hadn't heard you fall or anything...

"What's wrong, baby?  Are you okay?" I questioned, ascertaining immediately that something was wrong--you were crying, after all.

"I'm watching this VeggieTales show," you began.  "There's a child from Africa, and she doesn't have anything, and nothing to eat!"  Your big brown eyes were full of tears.  You wiped them as you talked to me.

And it dawned on me at once:  "Oh my.  You're no longer crying over boo-boos.  You're now crying over emotional content."

Oh my, indeed.

I've never seen you cry because of a show's content.  I've seen you laugh--you love humor and understand it!--many, many times.  In fact, one of your favorite shows to watch is Full House, a comedy.

But this is the first time I've watched you cry over a show.

And I am reminded of how quickly you are growing now, right before my eyes, and daily!

I so love you, sissy.  With all of my heart!

Mommy

In Three Short Weeks

In just three short weeks, you will be promoted to the third grade.

THE THIRD GRADE!

You are growing ever so fast, darling one, in every way. Mentally, physically, spiritually, I watch my little girl grow and develop. I see your personality emerging, stronger than ever.

You are brilliant. You watch everything, everybody. You notice things others overlook. You are, like me, a lover of Nature. "Momma, look at those clouds!" I love that about you.

You are so compassionate. You love people, without fear. You hug first, and think (about what harm they have done you) later. To those in your class who have been "not so nice" this year, you love on them, no matter what, give them gifts, without any hesitation. You still ask to have them over at the house.

I pray every day I can be more like you...

You love to read and be dramatic. You do not hesitate to randomly sing songs from movies or the radio. You have watched Fiddler on the Roof more times than I can even count. You know the lyrics to the songs, and have told me you would audition should Pa Bill direct it one day.

You've taken a great liking to your sister's karaoke machine. I love watching you perform. I feel privileged to count myself among your first audience. Yes, I'm most definitely the President of the Psalm Yandell Fan Club!

You repeatedly claim to be shy (though I keep reminding you that you have danced in recitals, with up to 600 people in the audience, since you were three years old!). But I think you're coming out of that. You told me this past weekend that you WILL be performing in next year's Fun Arts competition.

You make me laugh. You're naturally funny, and you LOVE to tell jokes--especially those that have to do with word meaning. You love the language (and I love that you love the language!). "Get it, Momma?" you'll ask after telling a joke. "That's a homophone."

Ha! I love you, kid!

You make me proud. You know it? Your Momma is so proud of you.

I love you for ever and a day, Psalmie.

Love, Mommy.

Today, You Prayed for Pop Pop

Pop Pop had a mild stroke this morning.

He was released to go home, 

So you and I went to visit he and Gran.

While we were there, you and I

Joined hands with them both and prayed.

We prayed for healing and peace.

You put your hand on Pop's forehead

And prayed for him specifically.

It was powerful, sis.  Just powerful.

About a week ago, someone prophesied

Over you--that you would be a prayer warrior.

Today, I saw the prophecy unfolding before my eyes.

(I just wanted you to know.)