You might be thinking, "What?! Kristi is writing another happy birthday blog post?!" Forget the debate over whether spring has come or not, the correct name of the season is "birthday." Oldest son's birthday is in February, and the other four kids have their birthdays all within a 5 week period in March and April. Before you think to criticize our planning skills, you must realize that not all of the kids are our biological children, and one of our biological kids arrived 10 weeks early. Even though we might not have planned on "birthday season," I actually kind of like having all the kids' birthdays close together on the calendar.
Anyway, this week I get to talk about our middle child. I've mentioned her story before here. She recently took this online quiz to determine which childhood book best described her. Her answer: Where the Wild Things Are. That about sums it up. As I told her, though, I love that book, and it turns out all right at the end. Just like my daughter.
1. I'm thankful for my daughter's genuine love for the elderly. From the time she was little, she would sit and chat pleasantly with senior citizens, befriending lonely widows.
2. I'm thankful for her resilience. She is a survivor, and has learned to look forward.
3. I'm thankful for her humility. Just a few days ago, she told me that if she had just listened to what we were trying to teach her, her life would have been so different.
4. I'm thankful that she takes responsibility for her actions. Even though she recognizes now that our advice was sound, she also recognizes the growth she has made because of her mistakes.
5. I'm thankful we can all laugh together now. Life used to be like walking on eggshells, but she will bring things up now--and laugh about them! Humor heals the heart, and it's good to see her laugh.
6. I'm thankful for her kind heart. I always knew it was in there somewhere--and I was right!
7. I'm thankful that she stuck with some post-high school education, and graduated at the top of her nursing assistant class.
8. I'm thankful that she now shares good advice with others. (Of course, by "good advice," I mean she says the same things I would say.)
9. I'm thankful that she keeps in touch with us, and lets us know what is happening in her life.
10. Because of her, we have two beautiful granddaughters, and I'm definitely thankful for them!
Come join in the blog hop! I'd love to hear what you are thankful for this week.
Thanks for middle daughter. Happy birthday! And happy 4-0 to my little brother, too!
Anyway, this week I get to talk about our middle child. I've mentioned her story before here. She recently took this online quiz to determine which childhood book best described her. Her answer: Where the Wild Things Are. That about sums it up. As I told her, though, I love that book, and it turns out all right at the end. Just like my daughter.
1. I'm thankful for my daughter's genuine love for the elderly. From the time she was little, she would sit and chat pleasantly with senior citizens, befriending lonely widows.
 |
| Here she is with Grandma, who I wouldn't describe as "lonely," but who did enjoy our visits. |
2. I'm thankful for her resilience. She is a survivor, and has learned to look forward.
3. I'm thankful for her humility. Just a few days ago, she told me that if she had just listened to what we were trying to teach her, her life would have been so different.
4. I'm thankful that she takes responsibility for her actions. Even though she recognizes now that our advice was sound, she also recognizes the growth she has made because of her mistakes.
5. I'm thankful we can all laugh together now. Life used to be like walking on eggshells, but she will bring things up now--and laugh about them! Humor heals the heart, and it's good to see her laugh.
6. I'm thankful for her kind heart. I always knew it was in there somewhere--and I was right!
7. I'm thankful that she stuck with some post-high school education, and graduated at the top of her nursing assistant class.
8. I'm thankful that she now shares good advice with others. (Of course, by "good advice," I mean she says the same things I would say.)
9. I'm thankful that she keeps in touch with us, and lets us know what is happening in her life.
10. Because of her, we have two beautiful granddaughters, and I'm definitely thankful for them!
Come join in the blog hop! I'd love to hear what you are thankful for this week.
Thanks for middle daughter. Happy birthday! And happy 4-0 to my little brother, too!
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Aww, made me smile on the look back here on your middle child and Happy Birthday to her indeed. She sounds like a wonderful lady and knowing her mom, sounds about right and the apple definitely didn't fall far from the tree here :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment, Janine.
DeleteHappy Birthday to your daughter...it warms my heart that because of a family's love it does work out...right? So we call it persistence and parenting but it's love...
ReplyDeleteI am so worried for my daughter she came to us at 7; 8 months shy of her 8th birthday having to learn the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, everything had to be learned not only learned (had no idea these words existed in her own language) but in a new language. She is quite delayed academically but is making solid progress, slowly but steadily! I worry for her future...I worry; I want to be patient but my own fears surface of not being accepted, feeling like an outcast - my feeling is we all feel this way at times yet I worry that this might be her fate! for now all I can do is build up her confidence and push her to find her own success!
Thank you for sharing I am sorry I wrote so much!!!
Happy Birthday to your daughter!!!!
XOXO
Marisa
Oh, Marisa, no need to apologize! Older-child adoption brings its own challenges, and we always worry about our children's futures. Academic success is easily measured, but some of the most wonderful talents have nothing to do with performance in school. Kindness, empathy, loyal friendship, a loving heart--those are all qualities that are impossible to measure, but are priceless. I wish the best for you and your daughter. With you as her mom, I imagine she will do great! :-)
DeleteThe smile on your baby granddaughter's face is a delight! I want to take the children's book quiz. So wonderful to hear so much pride in your voice as you speak of your grown daughter. I hope to sound the same someday.
ReplyDeleteI love those baby smiles! The children's book quiz was fun--I ended up with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. You'll be writing a similar post before you know it; kids grow up so fast (even though some days go by so slowly!)
DeleteGorgeous, gorgeoous, gorgeous! I don't mind another Happy Birthday post because I love to hear you write about your children! The love shines through and it sounds to me like in the end, she (and you) did okay :)
ReplyDeleteYou have such beautiful children in your family...you are so blessed!
I know that I am fortunate to have my children in my life. I'm glad that you don't mind the Happy Birthday posts. Three down, two to go! :-)
DeleteA birthday season does get everything out of the way at one time, doesn't it? I just read the back story about your middle daughter, and it reminds me of the two foster children a friend of mine currently has (15 year old twins). I am going to send her the link to that post and see if she sees any similarities with the two kids she has staying with her. It might explain some behaviors.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, congratulations to your daughter for all her achievements. She is pretty marvelous, and so are you.
Oh, boy--kudos to your friend! If the post rings true for her, she might want to check out www.nancythomasparenting.com. www.parentingselfgovernment.com is also a great site; though not specific to RAD, the author has tons of experience with foster care children. The teenage years can be especially rough, but there is definitely hope!
Deleteoh wow Kristi, RAD is such a challenge ... what a lovely complement to you both and the strength of your family that you all have such an amazing relationship now! Your grandaughters just crack me up with those sweet little smiles!
ReplyDeleteLiving with someone struggling with RAD is not easy, but my heart goes out to my daughter and others who are healing from RAD. It has been an interesting journey for the whole family, to say the least. :-) I do hope that other families can gain a measure of hope from my daughter's progress.
Deleteoh hey I forgot! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIDDLE ONE!
ReplyDeletethis is just a lovely and transporting post: here is to celebrating!
ReplyDeletexox jean!
Happy Sunday Kristi! We had birthday season in my family, too. December! Problem was there was also Christmas and New Year's holidays that same month so birthdays often got short changed. SO I just moved mine to June!
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with a half-birthday! :-)
DeleteBirthday posts are never a bad thing! Although what a busy, expensive time of year for you!
ReplyDeleteBusy is good. Expenses can be budgeted. :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteWe have loads of birthdays in March too, hubby, me, one daughter, my mum. It’s a busy month.
Happy birthday to the whole clan! :-)
DeleteHappy birthday to your middle daughter Kristi! She's beautiful and your two granddaughters are beyond adorable!!! I love that she's genuinely drawn to the elderly. That's not something that's teachable. Happy birthday to your whole clan, really!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post and it sounds like things have come right for your family, when maybe there was a time when things weren't so good. That's enough to be thankful for in itself!
ReplyDeleteI am a great believer that it is our life experiences that make us who we are. As parents we can only guide our children and they don't always want our guidance, but as long as they know we are there for them that is the most important thing.
It sounds to me like you have a daughter to be proud of and Grandchildren you can love, hug and adore. You can also hand the little cherubs back to their Mum at the end of the day, knowing that she will soon have a better understanding of where you were coming from when you tried to give her guidance.