The days have gone by much too fast...

My Madelyn is ten years old today! I can't quite grasp where all the years have gone! I remember being pregnant with her...from the beginning of terrible all-day sickness (my body doesn't understand the term "morning" sickness)...to the exciting end when Chris and I realized that soon, on that Friday the 13th, our child would be in our arms! She was met with much joy and excitement from everyone in our families, as she was the *first* grandchild and niece on both sides! I think she was born with the ability to draw people in. She is so easy to love. I am so incredibly thankful for her.

She has been growing, day-by-day, into a beautiful young lady. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that God gifted Madelyn to *me*. What an honor it is to be her mother! She is beautifully unique. She's *that girl* with the crazy curls and the smile that lights up a room!

I type through tears...reflecting feelings of both happiness and sadness. We have beautiful memories and I look forward to the days to come. I feel overwhelmingly blessed to have had these past ten years with my girl...but then moments of doubt creep in. Could I have been a better mother? What things could I have done differently? As my firstborn, she gave me the title of *mother*...as I learned, daily, about how to be selfless and responsible for this new life! I feel I wasn't as selfless as I should have been (oh, how age and hindsight can bring so much wisdom to our minds, yes?). But, as my mom says, I need to come to a peace about it and move forward. As mothers, though, do we *ever* feel we are good enough as a parent? I just want Madelyn (and all of my children) to know how very much I *love* them...

Today has started slow and simple...cheesy scrambled eggs for breakfast and lots of loving birthday wishes through phone calls and cards. I have sung (numerous times) to Madelyn...different birthday songs and sayings. We'll be having lunch with Grammie today...and have some plans with Aunt Nen and Eloise for tomorrow! We still have VBS this week...so we can't do anything *tonight*...but I am hoping this weekend, we can have a picnic at the pavillion and thank God for the ten beautiful years of Madelyn's life He has given!

 

 I know that God *has* and *will* use Madelyn to touch the lives of others for His glory. I love that He loves her and that the feeling is mutual. 

"Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back to the Creator is what you do with your life."

~Billy Mills

Enjoy the day! 

Warmly,

Katy

"We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late." ~Marie Beyon Ray