This is one of Sarah’s Bestest Friends, Tarah.

Kathy
Project 365 - Day 341

So says my beloved, 11 year old daughter. No doubt she could write today’s blog in her sleep if I would just do the typing for her.

Here Rachel is saying, “I’m cold, stop taking my picture and get me a sweatshirt.

I’m hungry but it’s close to bedtime and I’m trying to be careful not to eat late at night. I had a lovely cup of tea but somehow it wasn’t quite as tasty as the huge bowl of popcorn Tim and the children devoured. Go figure.

We watched The Ultimate Gift this evening. It was a moving tale about a spoiled young man who receives 12 gifts from his deceased grandfather. Each gift (or task) is designed to teach him a lesson about life. There are some intense scenes of peril in the second half but our entire family enjoyed the movie.

The Ultimate Gift certainly made me wonder if I am teaching my children the lessons illustrated in the movie - the gift of work, true friendship, the value of money, how to help others, etc. It is so refreshing to find movies the entire family can watch together.

Kathy
Project 365 - Day 271

Through careful, scientific procedure, Rachel has determined two winners for her Beanie Baby Giveaway.

Fetch has grown quite accustomed to the life of luxury.

Congratulations to …

Hayley and Ema!!!

Thank you so much for participating in Rachel’s Giveaway. We have worked hard to take excellent care of Fetch and Ears during the past week - plenty of good food and regular exercise. They are easy going little animals with pleasant personalities. They are excited to go on an adventure.

Ears is a bit shy.

Ema, your name was drawn first so you have first choice of Beanie Babies.

Tune in for other exciting giveaways.

Kathy

The Lord has generously blessed me with two precious daughters. Rachel, my oldest daughter, was born in the wee hours of the morning, during one of the coldest snowstorms we have ever known. Sarah, my youngest, was born in the heat of the summer, on my birthday; tying her to my heart in a unique and memorable way and vividly illustrating for me that all five of my children are gifts from God.

October 2002 — Pumpkin Patch

I want so many things for my daughters, yet in the midst of those hopes and dreams, I find surprising contradictions.

I hunger for them to love the Lord with passion and intensity so they will go wherever He calls them, and serve Him fully. At the same time, my heart trembles at the thought of ministry taking them into danger far from home.

I long for them to know, with absolute certainty, that their worth comes from the Lord and His love, not from the world or anything external (beauty, wealth, power, popularity). But I also want them to be beautiful, well-liked and full of confidence.

August 2003 - Texas Vacation

I envision the courageous, independent women they will become, unafraid of the challenges and responsibilities of life. Yet I still want them to need ME; to remain my little girls, looking to their mother for guidance and instruction.

I pray earnestly that they will find soul-mates, worthy of their love and respect, with whom they can sculpt a godly marriage. And yet, when I close my eyes and see them vulnerably entrusting their hearts and bodies to a stranger, I gasp in fear and dismay, wanting only to hold them close.

Christmas 2004

I hope they will have children and pour their hearts into raising and caring for those little ones, knowing the sacred calling it is to be a mother. I also want them to conquer the world; be doctors, scientists, explorers, letting nothing prevent them from following their dreams.

I want them to pursue their education with commitment, discipline and intensity, discovering their passions and developing a true love for learning. At the same time, I fear ungodly influences of higher education, voices chipping away at their faith.

December 2005

I yearn for us to be close friends, or, as Anne of Green Gables would say, kindred spirits, sharing hobbies and interests in an easy, comfortable fellowship. That said, I want them to develop their own gifts and pursuits, blossoming into the creative women God designed them to be.

What a terrible jumble of hopes, dreams and fears! Did my parents seek all these things for me? Do all parents face this push and pull of holding tight and letting go?

Time doesn’t slow down for a mother’s conflicting dreams. No matter how much I secretly want to keep the girls here under my protective wing, life pushes them slowly onward until they will surely fly.

And fly they will. I can choose: do I want to have a part in the path in which they will fly, the direction they will take, the people with whom they will fly? Or do I want to shut my eyes tight to their maturing and growth?

December 2006

Mount up on wings like eagles, my girls, and soar! May the Lord equip me to build in you strength, character and a listening ear, able to hear His still soft voice. I ask that He quiet my fears, gently gathering all the good in my hopes for you, and breathe His vision and spirit into your lives.

He will help me let you go.

January 2007

…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Jeremiah 40:31)

Kathy

This post is my entry for the Mothers and Daughters Blog Carnival, hosted on Sing For Him. Visit her site on Monday, to enjoy other posts on this theme.

In honor of Rachel’s beautiful new room, she is hosting a giveaway. These two adorable little animals need new homes.

Fetch and Ears are good buddies.

Rachel was so drawn to these Beanie Babies that she bought them twice. Although her younger siblings would be more than willing to love Fetch and Ears as their very own, Rachel wishes to share them with you.

Sarah is our Beanie Baby model.

In order to participate in Rachel’s Giveaway, please leave a comment and answer one of the following inquiries:

1) Hippo or Peacock?
2) Ocean or Lake?
3) Why Fetch or Ears would be happy with you in 72.5 words or less.
4) Vacation home — Lithuania or Sri Lanka?

Rachel will pick two numbers (at random) on Friday, August 24th.

As you can see both Fetch and Ears are in excellent condition and still have their original Ty tags.

Thanks for playing!

Kathy
Project 365 - Day 231