growing up

This weekend, Lily and I drove the two hours to Laurel, Mississippi, for her long-awaited "Turning 12, Coming of Age" trip!  She wanted pampered and she wanted her own bed, so we stayed at an airbnb with two beds, got her nails done, ate at a few local places, stayed up late, stuck our heads in any shops she wanted, she called all the shots, we sat around the fire talking and laughing, we read a book together throughout the weekend about God's design for boys and girls, men and women, sex and marriage, gave her some little gifts for growing up, worked on a scrapbook of precious letters some of the men and women who love and know Lily well wrote for her...It was just special and priceless.

We both cherished the one-on-one time, and it was such a gift to slow down and head into this new journey of growing up on the right foot.  With truth...not mine, but His.  With hope, also not mine, but His. With commitment, not to do it our way, but His way. I love this girl and can't believe she's somehow becoming a woman, even now in little ways. 

The best part was connecting, and all the laughter.  I hope and pray we can sprinkle these growing up years with lots of moments of connection and laughter.  This parenting thing is TOUGH. So thankful for His grace and forgiveness and His plan.

The crew here had a good weekend, too, even if Daddy is tired tonight :). One of the most precious gifts: the new friends we went to New Orleans with, knowing Matt and the littles were on their own, came and got Sofie on Saturday night, took her out for cookies and to a bookstore and out to dinner.  She had the most wonderful time, and having thoughtful people invest in HER was a HUGE gift!  Other new friends joined Matt in taking everyone to church today and for lunch, and the weekend surely blessed me to see the Lord providing for our family thoughtful, sacrificial and genuine relationships.