Love Letters from Mom - Julie M (Missouri) Feb 13, 2012

To my 3 sweet girls,

This week I am starting to realize just how fast you are growing up. I realize this year is full of milestones that I am not ready for but also anxious to watch you reach. Sammie you are growing into a beautiful, smart young lady who will be heading off to middle school (sniff sniff). Bekah you are starting to lose those baby teeth and your childlike appearance and looking more like a young lady every day.  And my baby Gracie, you finally start kindergarten, you should still be snuggled in my arms. None of this seems possible, you all are still too young in my eyes to be growing this fast. But I can't help but be proud of who each of you are becoming.

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Sammie you are so smart and kind. You have such a good heart and I am so proud that you share your love for Jesus with your friends. You make me proud with your artistic talent and your craving for knowledge. Bekah you will always be my funny face girl, you can make me laugh when nothing else can. You have such a free spirit about you and you have such a giving caring heart, you always want everyone to be happy. Joy is your gift from God and your gift to give to others and you give it freely. What amazes me even more is that you are so bright. And Miss Gracie, stubborn as a mule and strong and independent. I have never seen such determined characteristics in someone your age. Even when you drive me crazy I am proud of your stand firm character. You know what you want (or don't want) and no one is going to change your mind. But you also have a sweet tender side that doesn't shine as brightly sometimes. You get your sweet feeling bruised easily. It is a delicate balance with you. One thing is certain, you are a young lady through and through. Dresses and bows, things your sisters mostly like for dress up parties or church you want every day. You definitely make life interesting. And I love you for that.

I know things haven't always been perfect around our house, we have certainly weathered our fair share of storms the last few years. Without you three I don't know where I would be, there were definitely days when I would have crumbled to pieces if I hadn't had to keep it together for you all. And then there have been days when I did crumble to pieces, but then we came together as a family to figure out how to work better as a team. It is hard to look to the future without glancing back at the past and realizing how far we have come. I can't wait to see what wonderful young ladies you turn into, yet I wish I could hold onto the sweet little girls you are.

I hope more than anything, that you will always know how much I love you and how truly proud I am of each of you.

Love you to Pluto and back (and more),

Mom

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