To Madelynn On Her 10th Birthday...

How can it possibly be 10 years since you were born?  How can you possibly be two full hands old?  It really only seems like last week that you came into this world on your actual due date (which I appreciate your timeliness, because we discussed while you were still in the womb my obsession with being on time). 
You came into the world with a little drama, which should have been warning right then.  You were bigger than they thought (8 lbs and 13 oz bigger) and they had to do an emergency c-section.  For a split second (which actually seemed like an eternity) we thought you were a boy.  The nurse said, "look at the little guy" and in the split second all I could think about was the pretty purple outfit my new son was going home in.  Your Daddy quickly got clarification that you were actually still a girl.  So from birth you were a drama filled red head. 

I remember being alone with you late that night in the hospital room thinking what in the world am I going to do the with this baby.  I was new mom, what did I know?  I still sit alone in the house at night with you now and wonder what in the world am I going to do with this baby?  I'm still a new mom, what do I know?  I've never raised a pre-teen before!

You have been through so much in your short 10 years.  You are so strong.  Stronger than many adults.  It's not easy being a military kid.  In just 10 years you have had your Daddy deploy three times, moved 6 times, and have gone to 4 different schools.  My heart breaks for you a little with each move because it's hard to move to new schools, but you have done so beautifully.  Making friends so easily. 

You are a wonderful student. With each move you have had to learn the different ways of each school, but you catch on and you do it. Some days are tougher than others, but you don't give up.

You have made me and your Daddy so proud.  You are an amazing piano player. A terrific singer that has tried out and made the school choir twice! For only being 10, it's unbelievable what you can do.

You are a traveler.  You like to see the world.  It doesn't scare you try something new.  You have been on more adventures and seen more amazing places than most people.  There's so much more!

You can be full of drama at times.  Many times it leads me to extreme eye rolling and you in some trouble, but honestly this could be your way to scholarships for college.  Yale and Harvard have great drama programs.

You are extremely headstrong.  Sometimes that gets you in trouble, but I know that it will do you well as you get older.  You will not be pushed down.  You will go for what you want and not let anyone tell you that you can't do it.  I think of the Shakespeare line, “Though she be but little, she is fierce!”  It describes you well.

You have a kind and sensitive heart.  You have a special place in your heart for children with special needs.  That's a calling that only a few people get.  Special people.  Very few children would give up their recess to volunteer in the Special Needs class.  Not many 10 year olds would already know that they want to be a Special Needs teacher.  That's amazing.

Most of all you love Jesus.  It makes me very proud when you play and sing worship songs.  It's a joy to watch you get excited to play for church.  I can't wait to see what you do for Him in the next few years.

We have our days when we get on each others nerves and I know there will be many more in the future, but I am so glad I get to be your mom!  I'm so glad that He chose me to raise you.  There are days that I fail and days that you act, well, like a red head, but you should always know that I will forever love you.
Happy 10th Birthday, Madelynn Claire!

I think this song was written especially for you

 

 Madelynn through the years