Ok, I kinda put the pictures together…This swing is outside our front door, we are blessed to live in the country on about 2.5 acres. Together we have 6 kids, kinda the Brady Bunch thing, but no Alice! My husband, Bob, put the tire swing up last year for the kids. My dad gave us the wooden swing, it used to be at their campground. The pictures are original artwork made by my two oldest daughters, Jenny & Amanda. Jen is 24, Manda is 21. The pictures both hang on the wall in our living room. The connection? Jen and Manda are all grown up and on their own now, hence the wooden swing and tire swing are empty.

This post got me thinking about how quickly time passes, and how quickly our kids grow up. I still remember the girls and their turtle sandbox, the spaghetti in their hair, and the mud pies outside. And we would put on Stevie Ray Vaughn CD and dance in the kitchen. Then, in a blink of an eye, they are out of the house and on their own. I am constantly amazed at how beautiful and talented they both are. And smart, did I tell you that yet? I am so proud of both of them. They have overcome some amazing obstacles, and they are both such strong, independent women.

You see, they didn’t come from the “picture perfect” family. Life at our house was less than peaceful. Their dad and I divorced when they were 6 and 3. There was a 2 year battle for placement, I lost, and and they grew up living with their Dad. I lived in the next town over, but it wasn’t the same. Then, in my anger I went on my own little “spree”. I moved to NV, Maine, and Minnesota all in about a 3 year period. I was running from myself in those days. Let’s just say I was not the best mom in those days. I was not consistent. I tried, but I had alot of emotional and mental baggage I carried around from place to place. And no God, I was not a real believer yet.

Yet, despite my weaknesses and failures, they overcame. They did not let their past dictate their future. They are beautiful, talented, smart, and have amazing things in their future. Jen is getting married this year, Amanda is going to college…

Even though I am the mom, I think I have learned more from them. They taught me that your past does not determine your future. They taught me about forgiveness, when they “let me back in” their lives after my galavanting around the country. They taught me how hard work and tenacity pays off. And they taught me about love and forgiveness, and that’s it’s okay to make mistakes. They taught me that home is where the love is. They taught me about standing up for myself, about not being a “doormat” or a victim. They are both so strong, and I admire them so much. Thank you Jesus, for children, that teach us and love us despite everything. I love you Jenny & Amanda!