Things I Love Thursday, my daughter Isabel

Dear Isabel,

I want to wish you a very happy 12th birthday. Twelve. I can hardly believe it.

Twelve. Your practically a teenager. Yet still so much my little girl.

You sway between flat ironing your hair, and calling me mama.

You love to snuggle up close to me in the morning, yet you giggle over email with your friends.

You are in the land of in between. The place of "becoming". 

You are growing up.

You are beautiful.

And I could not be more proud.

Over this last year you have gone from the little girl who dreamt about growing out her hair to donate it for kids with cancer, to the decisive girl who did it. A selfless gift.

You tenaciously attacked the sport of soccer, the one sport I know nothing about, and played with such heart, and yet such compassion for the others on the field.

You have dealt with being the middle sister, not quite the teen, and definitely not the "little girl". I know it must be hard, to know where you fit, but you are doing beautifully.

You started a blog and began taking photos. Your "eye" is amazing, you have a true gift! Please don't stop!

You found a love for acting and put yourself into your roles with all your heart and soul.

You even learned to shoot a gun!

My sweet Isabel, on this your 12th birthday I want you to know how much you are loved. How much I enjoy your laughter and your silly jokes. How proud I am of you.

I know we won't always like each other. 

I know you will disappoint me, and I will disappoint you. 

I know I will make you angry and your will roll your eyes. 

I know I will grow frustrated and you will probably slam your door.

But.... 

I promise to love you with my whole heart, however imperfectly I may do that. 

I promise to listen, when I want to speak.

I promise to try to understand, when I have no idea.

I promise to tell you when something is a very bad idea.

I promise to put rules in place for you that you won't like, but that I know will protect you.

I promise to do my very best to help you grow into the woman God intends for you to be. 

But most of all, I promise to let you grow. And I am prepared to see you soar.

I love you Isabel.

Happy Birthday.

Love, mama

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;  

do not depend on your own understanding.   

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 

Proverbs 3.5-6