be YOU...

Watching my kids grow up and develop their own personalities is a pretty amazing privilege.  I truly enjoy seeing how they establish their own opinions and ideas instead of just blindly going along with the thoughts of those around them.  When Ashlyn comes to me and we discuss things that are on her mind I can almost see the wheels turning as she thinks things through.

I've witnessed so many changes in Ashlyn over the last year.  Some are a slight adjustment while others are a bit more extensive.  Yes, her ideas have changed since she was a young child but that is just the beginning.  She recently dyed her hair red.  Her sense of style has also changed.  Gone are the days of her "no pants allowed" rule and the pink dresses that spun while she twirled.  Her favorite color went from pink to black, seemingly overnight.  None of the differences have been bad.  Just different.

It's all part of growing up and becoming who God made her to be.


There are times when I watch her and see how much she is like Chris: a quiet observer taking in the world around her.  Then there are times when I see how very similar she is to me. 
In middle school I wore these same rings on every finger and sported Converse every day...who am I kidding, I still wear Converse every day.

Many of the rings belonged to my mom before me.  She gave them to me and I felt it was only right to hand them down to Ashlyn as well.

Ashlyn won't grow up to be exactly like me.  And that's okay.  I tell her all the time to be original.  Don't decide something based on what other people say.  Search out answers.  Be who God made you to be.  Trust that He has a specific plan just for you, one that is different from those around you.

Just be YOU.