I don't think my girls are perfect.
I try to be realistic about their strengths.
I try to minimize their weaknesses.
I try to acknowledge temperaments & birth orders when I correct them or evaluate how or why they do what they do.
I want to encourage them when I see them make great choices, when they do something kind for someone, when they try their best even if success doesn't follow.
I've tried to encourage them to be who they are, to find the "thing" they love & pour their heart into it. I don't want to live vicariously through them, as if my own teen experience wasn't fulfilling enough for me, as if i need their success to make me feel like a great mom or make me appear successful in the eyes of my own peers.
I want them to be individuals & be proud of the young ladies they are becoming.
I don't want them to feel competition amongst themselves. Its so hard for girls these days & I'm certain it must be hard for three of them, so close in age, to grow up & feel the society induced pressure to be just like the one before them.
While my desire for them is to have strong character, rooted and grounded in our faith , I don't want to make them be anything different than who God has created them to be.
I don't have a favorite even though you see more pictures of the baby :) But some days I do enjoy the company of one maybe more so than the other.....we are a house full of 5 women after all ( just keeping it real) & there are hormones and emotions to keep balanced!
But there are those days when I feel just an extra sense of pride for one of my girls. Saturday was one of those days. Savannah has always been very organized & responsible. She has great leadership skills . I have told her that she has always proven herself trustworthy & because of that , she has earned the priveldge of certain freedoms.
She had spent weeks trying to orchestrate all the details for her large group of friends & their homecoming plans. She didn't exclude anyone from her group, which made me proud because she herself had been excluded from another group. She took it like a champ & rounded up several of her favorite friends ~a great group of kids! She helped organize the picture location, the parents that would drive them downtown to the chosen ( reasonably priced) restaurant , & the home that they would all enjoy the after-party.
We shopped for her dress a few weeks ago. I had sort of dreaded shopping because I knew we needed to keep it in the budget & she tends to have expensive taste. Plus, how often do 15 year old girls & their moms agree on wardrobe choices. Went to Dillards & I found this gorgeous ivory dress, she loved it, I loved it , & it was in our budget. ( Can you believe that, I picked out the dress......I won't rub it in)
She spent Saturday afternoon doing all those wonderful things girls do before going out on a special night....she was cheerful & laid back.
Her two best friends were going to homecoming at a different school but dropped by on the way for some pictures. Savannah has a great sense of humor & helped them relax as they seemed a bit nervous about their own big night.
Savannah's date was her best guy friend. Her friends say they get along like Will & Grace ( except Zack isn't a gay guy!). So there would be no awkward feelings, no drama, just great fun.
When we arrived at the chosen picture place there were at least 10 couples & all their parents. Definitely a challenge to do large group photos. After taking what seemed like a million of the posed pics I could tell Savannah was getting frustrated ( too many cooks in the kitchen!). I whispered to her just walk off with her girlfriends & be silly~they love those shots the best.
She had a fabulous time. Most all the couples were all just great friends so we didn't have the worries of all the things that go along with boyfriend/girlfriend issues~whew.
I am always proud to be her mama, but I was extra proud of that sweet child of mine this past Saturday night!
She had a fabulous time. Most all the couples were all just great friends so we didn't have the worries of all the things that go along with boyfriend/girlfriend issues~whew.
I am always proud to be her mama, but I was extra proud of that sweet child of mine this past Saturday night!
I love your post!!! She looks beautiful, and I LOVE the dress. That is amazing that you picked it out, I hardly remember agreeing with my mom about anything at 15, much less clothing choices!!
ReplyDeleteI looks like a wonderful group, and I am sure they had a blast! I get some much inspiration from you, and the kind of mom I would like to be! Thank you:0 Clare
In a word my friend.....,precious!
ReplyDeleteBalance is what you have.That shows through in the way you bring up your beautiful girls.Every thing you said reflects the way i like to bring up my 3 precious children.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration to many through your blog and know doubt in your life.God bless. Caroline
Check out my blog to see my precious babes.
Hi Paige,
ReplyDeleteYour daughter looks stunning....
Your taste is impeccable....that dress is just perfect...how special that you picked it out for her!
Looks like a fun group, the photos were great...I especially liked the silly ones...you totally captured the moment!
This post was beautiful...one I am sure your daughters will love to look back on.
Have a great week!
Lisa
I love the way you posed them for these pictures. Adorable.
ReplyDeletePaige,
ReplyDeleteEach of your daughters is prettier than the next. It sounds like you have every reason in the world to be proud of each one of them...and how lucky they are to have a mom with such down to earth insight...and unconditional love (for those days when "like" just doesn't work!)
Give yourself a pat on the back...well done...well done!!
Kate
Fabulous pictures! Your girl just shines and sounds like the type of girl every mom would be so proud of! Very sweet!
ReplyDeleteJanet
How pretty these pictures are! Your daughter(s) are adorable.
ReplyDeleteSo glad she has such a great mom to help her have such a great time!
Love the dress too!
You are raising your girls beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time for her... even if you did pick out the dress, an unbelievable feat for a mother if you ask me!
Happy Monday!
Best,
Bari
First - I loved every single image - you have a beautiful daughter - stunning and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSecond - what heartfelt word - OMG - I just loved every word you write! Some I can related to :D You have every right to be proud - what a wonderful job you have done!
Ladybug hugs,
;D
I love to check our your blog and see what lovely tribute you've written to one or all of your daughters. Savannah is beautiful and you and she are so blessed to have each other.
ReplyDeleteWe are strong in our faith too and it is so difficult to bring up children, especially daughters, in today's environment and help them stay strong. Your daughter's seem just lovely. You and your husband can be very proud - the OK kind of pride. ;-)
Robin
Beautiful, beautiful post my friend. Your have some amazing traditions in you country that I absolutely admire..Savannah and all her friends looked amazing and I know you are such a sweet and loving mum....Luv ya cxxxx
ReplyDeleteoh I remember those days! bless her, she looks so happy!
ReplyDeleteI think you and your girls are perfect in that perfectly imperfect way.....You are beautiful and real. I love this post and I love the way you parents. It is truly reflected in each of your children (at least from where I sit).
ReplyDeleteKim
I am very new to the blog world (just a month into it) and have already been inspired by so many wonderful women such as yourself. I found your blog via the nieniedialouges (isn't she amazing!) and I just had to tell you your beautiful words regarding your daughter brought me to tears. I have three young girls (4, 3 and 3 months) and everyday I pray to be 1/2 the mom I can tell you are. I hope you don't mind me, a stranger, reading and commenting on your life.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful daughter you have!!
ReplyDeleteproud mom!
Ok, so now i'm addicted to your blog! I mostly read wedding and design blogs, but I have been reading yours for the last hour and I am loving it!
ReplyDelete1)way to go on losing the pounds, I know personally it is so difficult!
2)your family is beautiful and I cannot wait to be a mother and read all of your inspiring ideas
3)you are in incredible photographer. wanna shoot my wedding next year?!
i love your pictures!
ReplyDeletethis is my first time to your blog, saw the link on cjanes. do you take your own pictures?
what camera do you use? maybe the light is just more beautiful in georgia! :)
also love the tributes about your daughters-- beautiful.
I came over here from Nie's blog. Great post entry you wrote.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is beautiful. The pics are great & they have a wonderful 'happy' feel about them.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteoops. I hit post twice.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. You are such a great mom!
ReplyDelete♥Jen
Paige - your daughter is just beautiful. I love her dress too. Such fabulous photos of her and her girlfriends (all the guys too!). So funny, I have a picture of one of my sons lined up with lots of girls at homecoming last year.
ReplyDeleteYour post is a beautiful tribute to your daughter :)
Melissa
She is so beautiful! And you are a beautiful momma!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gals!!! Seriously, how do these girls look so grown up these days?! It appears that they all had a great time.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Courtney
Paige! What glorious photos friend! She looks so happy and that's the most important isn't it?! YES! She is fab! What a fun day/night for all of her 'good' friends!
ReplyDeleteI have missed you and wanted to pop by and say hello!
Hugs!
What great pictures~ What a wonderful daughter you have raised.
ReplyDeleteBristol
What a beautiful post! You are a good Mom, encouraging and treasuring each one of your girls for who they are. Hooray for you! And they are beauties.:)
ReplyDeletexo Lidy
I just found your blog today. Let me just say, Thank You. You have such a sweet spirit, and you are so uplifting.
ReplyDeleteI have just found your blog and I LOVE it! I have had a blog for a few months but never really visited many others.
ReplyDeleteYour girls are beautifuland all so talented.I have 4 daughters (first 3 in 3 years and 1, 3.5 years later).You give me a peek of the future.I hope my girls let me help pick their homecoming dresses one day!Thanks for sharing your family!
Savannah looked so beautiful! What an awesome post too Paige! You are such a wonderful mother to all of your girls...and how lucky they are to have you as their Mom!
ReplyDelete