Between a Mom & Daughter

Gracie & Me

Hi there blogger friends!  Today is a wonderful day for two reasons:  1) it is my oldest daughter, Sarah's, 25th birthday and 2) today Sarah & I start our mother-daughter blog post.  We will be blogging every Monday on a subject related to Moms and daughters.  She will be writing from the daughter perspective and I will be writing from the mother's perspective.  So be sure to read Sarah's post after mine.  Our hope is that God will use the good, bad and ugly circumstances of our relationship over the years to encourage you.  God has blessed us with a beautiful relationship and we would like to share it with you.


Today, as Gracie (Sarah) turns 25, she reminded me that I was 25 when I married her Dad.  You see, for those of you who don't know my story, Paul, my husband, was married and his first wife, Sissy, died from brain cancer.  Sissy left behind 3 children:  Sarah, Nathan, and Laura.  I was the choir director at their church, but didn't know their family all that well.  I remember getting the phone call that Sissy had passed away.  My first thought and prayer was for Sarah.  I asked God to please show me if there was anything I could do to help her.  She had lost her Mom at 12 years old and my heart ached for her.  Ever heard someone say, "Be careful what you pray for?"  God answered my prayer - I became her "new Mom." 


God truly blessed me on January 8, 2000, as I became a wife and mother!  But sometimes blessings come with heartaches and struggles.  It was harder than I thought adjusting to being wife number 2 and instant Mom of three at age 25.  But here I am almost 13 years later, still married and still Mom.  During my most recent visit to see Gracie, we shared some laughs over some of my "ridiculous rules."  Her favorite was how I had a breakfast schedule for them.  They had to eat something different for breakfast everyday.  Crazy, right?  I was just a young Mom trying to do what I thought was best at the time.  I still try to do what's best for all my children, and I still make mistakes.  Thank goodness for God's grace and that my mistakes don't get in the way of His plan.


Happy Monday, and Happy Birthday to my beautiful 25 year old daughter!  I am so thankful for you and so very proud of the woman you have become!  Don't forget to read Gracie's blog and check back every Monday for a word from our unconventional mother/daughter relationship!