How Did This Happen?

I find myself at this particular point in time wondering how it is that I find myself with an almost teenage daughter.  This girl has turned into such an amazing young woman and I am so grateful for her.  Thankfully for me, she is starting to be fun again and not just a moody mess.  Over the last couple of months we have had some great experiences together.  She is not perfect, but who is?  Mostly as we approach her twelfth birthday I find myself feeling a couple of different things; regret for the times I've overshot or not done enough; and pure joy for the wonderful young lady she is becoming despite my mothering shortfalls.  This girls is compassionate, creative and determined.  She is clever and witty and is the soul of our household.  She is so excited for all that her life has to offer and I am so hopeful that life does it's best not to disappoint (too much anyway!)

A few things that Erin has been up to lately.....

Besides just the regular stuff, she has been hard at work trying to finish up her projects and requirements for her Faith in God award at church.  She only has a few more things to finish and I can honestly say that she has done it 100% on her own (or with the help of leaders) because she has not let me help with anything (although I have tried!)

In one of my last posts, I mentioned that Erin was a essay finalist for her DARE program at school.  They have spent quite a bit of time talking about decision making and friends and drugs and such in this program this year and I was thrilled to go to her DARE graduation a couple of weeks ago to hear her speak.  Her essay was really well written and delivered.  Such a proud mommy moment.  Besides, she was thrilled to win "a really cool backpack."

Sorry the picture is so blurry, but it was the best I could do while trying to keep track of Will at the same time.

The other big development in Erin's life is the fact that she has been selected as the 7th grade officer from her school.  Although the competition at her school was not especially stiff, she put A LOT of time and effort into preparing her essay and presentation.  I wish I could have been a fly on the wall, but I have it from reliable sources that "she was stellar."  The committee was so impressed and said she was very poised and clearly comfortable in front of people.  For posterity's sake, I am including the text from her essay so she can always remember what she wrote.

Why I Would Make a Great 7^th Grade Officer

By: Erin Pierce

“Far and away the best price that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

President Theodore Roosevelt summed it up best with this quote. There are a lot of things in this world that require hard work, but the rewards gained from this work make up for the difficulty.

  Being a great 7^th grade officer is a lot of work and a big commitment. I feel that I could do this job very well because I understand what it means to work hard and follow through with commitments.

 I think that being a 7^th grade officer requires someone who works well with the others, can make friends easily, seeks consensus and can lead others in fulfilling plans. I sing in a professional choir and we are required to practice an hour every day with a two-hour rehearsal once a week. We have to learn many songs in different languages and different parts. I have been in that choir for 4 years and I have learned it takes a lot of hard work and effort.

 I am confident in my abilities to speak in front of others, and not afraid to stand out a bit. I am very creative and thorough in planning activities and I would love the opportunity to be involved.  My teacher expects a lot from me.  I learned a long time ago, if you want to succeed in her class you have to work hard; no exceptions.  I understand committing my time and efforts for the good of a group and being dependable to others. I would consider it a great honor, in fact a prize, to have the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

We are in the process of planning her birthday party... which she is very excited for.  We are having an "Erin in Wonderland" themed bash.  I hope it will be lots of fun and something she'll always remember planning with her mom.  

As we speed towards 12, and junior high, and Young Women's and boys, and all that stuff, I am so hopeful for this wonderful little girl will continue to grow and develop into the great person that I've always known was there.  Love you Erin!