My Girlies Amaze Me

There are lessons you need to learn as a Mom...as your children grow you need to grow also.

For me, gone are the days of making all of the decisions, of jumping in to help, of leading the way.  Now is the time to peel away the layers as my wise dad has said.  My girlies don't need me hovering over their every move any more.  They need me to be there at the side line...supporting, watching, having their back as it were.

And what comes of this stepping back, letting them take charge is a wondrous thing to witness. 

When the girlies were little we did art projects together.  I would guide them...tell them what might look nice.

Lane

Madison

As they got older I realized that their art projects needed to be just that - their art projects. So I stepped back and was so thrilled to see what came from their souls.

Lane

Madison

Lane

Madison

Lane

When we first started cooking together the girlies might stir a little bit or add in the chocolate chips.  Now when we cook they are making up their own recipes, trying a new technique, reinventing an old recipe.  If I step back... they step forward...and Voila! I get to see who they are...and I am pleased - oh so pleased.

This peeling away or stepping back, if you will, is not easy for a Mom.  After all when they were small they needed us to survive, we had to make sure they were strong enough to stand..then walk...then run. And now the very hardest part - realizing that they can do all of that and more - on their very own. 

Oh I know that they need me, that they love me, that I still play an important part...but it is a different part.  It is the part where I watch them do it on their own, where I get to see them figure it out, where I get to be amazed at what they come up with.  Sometimes it is hard to keep my mouth shut or my hands off - but when I do it is so worth it!  Because I get to witness my girlies becoming themselves.

I am a proud, thankful and happy Mama!

I love you my girlies...and my Brian who had a little hand in making them and raising them up!

xoxo     Elizabeth

PS....as a result of creating this post I realized that I have way too few photos of the girlies and I and even less of Madison and I....she is after all usually the photographer!  In the future you can plan on seeing photos of me and both my girlies!