Another Teenager

Today my little Martha turned 13.  We joke that she may be 15 who knows?  Either way she is a lovely young woman and I am very lucky to be her Mom.  I asked all the kids to use one word to describe Martha at dinner tonight.  They came up with:  Spunky, kind, funny, perceptive, smart, all of which are true.

I have been thinking a lot lately about all of the changes that we have been through in the last year and a half.  It was a bumpy ride in the beginning, but pretty smooth considering what we were working through.  We didn't know each other at all, we didn't speak the same language, literally, we were coming at everything from new angles.  Now we know each other much better.  She knows when I am upset, and when I am kidding.  She knows I love her and only want what is best for her.  She knows that sometimes love means doing things that are hard, and that I know it is hard.  I know that she responds much better to encouragement than to criticism.  I know that I need to be careful what I say to her, because words hit much harder for her then hands.  I know when to push, and when to let her work through things on her own.

I know how tough this little lady is.  I know how smart she is.  I know she is capable of doing anything she sets her mind to.  I know she tends to worry, but that she will push past the worry and do whatever is asked of her.  I know she is loyal almost to a fault.  I am so proud of her, and all that she has accomplished in the last year and a half.  She inspires me, to do a better job as a Mom.  Her teacher told me once that it is easy to teach the A students, the challenge is to inspire the students that struggle.  It is the same way with parenting.  Some kids are easy to parent.  I know Martha would have been an easy child, but God knew she could handle the challenges that He gave her.  Since I got her as a pre-teen we have a lot of time to make up for.  She had a good solid beginning.  It is clear that her family loved her, and that she has walked with God for many years.  I am so grateful for that time that she had with them.  There is a lot of healing to be done, but she won't let that keep her from anything she wants to do.  I love to see her develop friendships, especially with her sisters.  She is growing in trust, and believing that she has a big future ahead of her. She still desires to give back to her home when she is grown.  She loves Ethiopia and the children that she left there.  I pray that we can go back soon.

Happy Birthday Martha!  You are a beautiful soul, and brave young woman.  I love you, and look forward to seeing what mountains you will climb.  May the Lord bless you and keep you all the days of your beautiful life.

#709-717

Washing fresh eggs, so therapeutic.

Surprise birthday gifts from friends.

Madie making birthday cake for Martha, it tasted wonderful!

Watching sunset from the deck.

Emails from friends far away, such an encouragement.

Notes from people Martha has inspired.

Playing Just Dance with the girls, even if they did beat me every time, even Brooke.

Watching Martha and Brooke become closer.

New neighbors, new friendships.