She turns eleven today.Just one year ago, I posted this, celebrating the growth that brought her into a double-digit age, not knowing just how much would change in the next 365 days.
The girl I see today looks the same as she did before. I don’t think most people would say they noticed a tremendous change in her hair, her face, her body. But her soul? That’s really blossomed.
It’s hard to put my finger on what’s happened here. Was it our family’s close-knit relationship during the homeschool experiment? Or was it the floodgate of opportunity she’s experienced since moving to our new school? Or was it some predetermined force of nature, cosmically timed to turn my little girl into the responsible, self-assured, creative, and empowered young leader I see today?
I know “nature” is behind so much of our being. Regularly, I’m smacked with the deja-vu of the ways she behaves just like I did — like her love of books, or the way she approaches schoolwork, or the way she interacts with friends, or how in frustration she fights back tears when she struggles to learn a new dance step. I don’t think she couldn’t have learned these behaviors from me, because I don’t really model them now. It’s eerie.
I can only hope she’s inherited more of my good qualities than my bad ones. I know she’s smarter, prettier and more confident than I was. And she’s exhibiting leadership skills far more expertly, at a much younger age.
It’s fun to watch her grow.
Happy birthday, Eleven Year Old.
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8:00 am
Joining in today too:
http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/2007/11/ptt-tuesday-ive-been-replaced.html
11:22 am
Oh Kelly!!!! I can’t believe she’s eleven! Then, I can’t believe mine just turned ten either. She is beautiful and this post is beautiful. Congratulations to both of you. There are few things as rewarding and utterly amazing as parenthood.
Hugs,
Holly
12:52 pm
I couldn’t help but smile when I read this, Kelly. What a LOVELY remembrance of your beautiful daughter. Everything you said I can relate to, I can feel your heart and soul in your words.
D is blessed to have you as a mom
.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CUTIE PIE!!!
6:18 pm
Happy birfday!
I can remember when I was 11. I had backstreet boys posters on EVERY INCH of MY ROOM. i mean every inch I even tried to get it on the ceiling but they kept falling down
6:23 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY D! You have grown into such a beautiful and mature person. Your Mom is so proud of you and rightly so. I hope you have a wonderful celebration!
6:29 pm
Happy Birthday D! You look like a beautiful young lady!
Enjoy your special day!
(you, too Kelly! Enjoy! the days pass faster than you know-
don’t blink!)
6:49 pm
Tell her happy birthday!
7:49 pm
Gorgeous post Kelly, I hope she has a fabulous day.
10:09 pm
PTT Pride – Eleven Years Old
This is a tribute post to my daughter who turned eleven today. I have so much to be proud of. Come and see why.
9:27 am
Have a great Birthday!!
9:51 am
Happy Birthday! It’s amazing how much they change in a year, isn’t it. What a lovely girl.
10:01 am
happy bday to her…she’s very pretty and what a lovely smile!!!
1:16 pm
Such sincere happiness in that smile. Very nice picture.
Glad to hear the story, too. Because it was actually substantive, I’m letting it slide that it isn’t Wordless.
4:17 pm
That’s great you have such a wonderful girl to be proud of!
My WW is up too!
5:10 pm
She is beautiful…inside and out! My daughter will be 6 tomorrow!
10:49 pm
What a beautiful young lady! That smile is absolutely infectious . . . I’m smiling looking at her!
Hope the birthday was wonderful and memorable!
11:46 am
She is beautiful and it is clear why you are so proud! I also posted about my youngest’s birthday. He turned 16 on November 16th!