16.
The stage where a momma starts counting backward rather than forward.
2 more birthdays under my roof.
Only 2.
Then what?!? Where will she be? Who will she become? Have I done enough?
BUT, those thoughts turn her birthday into my issue rather than her celebration. So, I choose to silence them and celebrate my Brenna-girl.
THIS GIRL!
She is so worthy of celebration!
Of all my children, we have demanded the most from her. She has needed to be most adaptable. She was our baby for many years. In reality, she never accepted that crown. She never fit the "baby" mold, and praise God for that, because although we didn't realize it, baby was not her destiny. When we added Joshua to our family, she gave up the crown without a complaint, transitioning with grace and joy. And when Mataya came, she became out middle child. The hinge in our family. The connection between the "big" kids and the "little" ones. Once again, she handled the change seamlessly. AND this year, she has become our oldest (at home). Of all the roles I have seen her maintain in our family, OLDEST seems to fit best. It is amazing. She is thriving. She is more fully alive and herself than I have ever seen her be. It has been a precious year.
In addition to adaptable, this girl is crazy-smart and equally determined. When all her grades are A's, she works to raise then to A+. She currently has more A+'s than any other grade. If she was stressed, I would tell her to just chill out - but she is thriving on the challenge. And when she is not, she is capable of chilling out and spending a night watching Netflix, blowing off homework like a typical teen.
Where her older sisters were very emotional in their thought processing at the same age, Brenna is an intellectual thinker. She comes home from school each day not wanting to discuss the usual friendship dramas, but what she is learning. We spend hours talking about literature and science. She tries to tell me about math - but her math skills are way above mine! Her rational, level-headed thought process is such a gift.
She is incredibly musical, receiving many choral awards this school year. She also is has a flair for art and design. She is her dad's and grandpa's favorite building helper because she understands measurement and line so naturally.
She is the kindest, sweetest, most empowering and encouraging sister Mataya could ask for. I hardly have a single picture of Brenna in the last year that does not include Tay. Mataya sticks to her like glue, and Brenna tolerates it with such grace. Last night as Mataya trailed after Brenna and her friends and was accepted as a part of the crowd, my heart was so full. I am so thankful for those moments. And I know that Mataya will remember them always.
Brenna has surrounded herself with the most fun friends. I love when they pile into our home. Sweet friends are not easy to find, I am so grateful for the relationship these girls have formed.
When the oldest kids were little, I had no idea how much I would love these teen years. I thought I was a baby person. I thought the best years of parenting would be when the kids were small. I LOVED those years. But, what I have learned is that I LOVE these years just as much. Maybe more. Watching my kids become. It is incredible. Each one is so amazing. So much more than I expected. Such a gift.
16 years ago, I would never have guessed that my tiniest, baldest, most clingy infant would become a 5'10" beauty who is calm, grounded, capable, and so very independent. But God.
May you glorify Him with your many talents, beautiful one. Always.
And may you always know how very much I love you. Always.
