Today is my daughter’s birthday! Peyton is turning 16 years old. I can hardly believe it! Where do the years go??? It’s seems only yesterday I was sitting on the couch snuggled close beside her as she held her blanket and Molly, the rag doll who quickly became a member of the family, while watching the Little Mermaid for the millionth time.
Sixteen is a special marker in child’s life. It’s when you get your driver license! What could be more important or memorable in the life of a teenager than that? NOTHING! I must admit, however, I’m a little frightened about my daughter driving.
Just this summer, while driving the Go-Kart, she nearly killed herself and her brother! We allowed them to drive on the road—with helmets of course. BIG, BIG mistake! Parker, her younger brother by 4 years, was riding on the passenger side.
As they approached the crossroad, we noticed a car was coming. The car had the right of way. Peyton’s road was clearly marked with a stop sign. You know, the sign that shouts S-T-O-P!! Most drivers obey the sign in order to prevent collision. Not Peyton. What does she do?? She panics!
Her dad and I, along with her younger brother, were screaming—“STOP!!” Instead, Peyton pushes the gas pedal to the floor, runs the stop sign, passes in front of the oncoming car by the skin of her teeth, and finally comes to a halt by driving the cart into the neighbor’s yard.
Parker jumps out of his seat and yells, “Gosh, Peyton! Why didn’t you stop?”
Now, when the younger brother knows what to do better than his big sister who is of age to drive, it’s scary. I told Parker that he may need to ride with his sister as sort of a co-pilot. His response… “You’re not putting me in a car with her!”
If you don’t live in TN, you can add it to your list of “what I’m thankful for” this Thanksgiving. But, we would appreciate your prayers. Really!
This weekend, I was reminded of the responsibilities we have as parents. I had the privilege of speaking and serving along side of some great women in ministry at the Hearts at Home conference in MN.
If you’ve never been to their conference, I invite you to visit their site. They are doing great things for the kingdom by equipping moms to be the wife and mother God designed them to be. In fact, I brought you back something. It’s a cute black bag with a pink poke-a-dot belt just perfect to carry your bible in to church. But, I only have one. Leave a comment, and I’ll pick a winner of the bag tomorrow!
At the conference, I learned many truths this weekend such as…
According to Ken Davis, husbands consider silky nightgowns a romantic on gift for their wives, but they don’t consider silky underwear for men a romantic gift in return—especially if they have little strawberries on them. Men prefer car batteries. Good thing to remember ladies.
I also learned that when your children are small, it’s best to bolt down the furniture. Now, they tell me.
And, if your child is age 9, he or she is half way grown.
Well, my sweet Peyton is more than half way there. I plan to cherish my remaining years with her. In fact, I think I’ll get Molly the rag doll down from the attic, put in Little Mermaid, and snuggle her close tonight.
cheryl says
They DO grow up fast! I was a single parent for years and now both of my daughters are old enough to live on their own. My oldest daughter, Katie is 23 and got married 2 1/2 yrs. ago and my other daughter, Shannon is 20. I’m so proud of both of them. I loved it when they were younger and we could snuggle up together, but I love the times we have now, now that they’re on their own. My life’s a little bit lonelier, but also a little bit easier. Treasure the times that you have with them now, but Know that it’s just as special when they’re on their own, it’s just different.
Cheryl
Amy says
They definitely grow up WAY too fast! Has anyone located the ‘pause’ button yet??
Laurie Ann says
Happy birthday to your daughter! They do grow up quick…In 2005, I wrote in my blog:
Yesterday was the first day of first grade. I dressed her, packed her lunch, fixed her hair and stood at the end of the driveway, placing a little homemade yarn necklace with a picture of a school bus around her neck that said, “My name is Kristyn and I ride bus number 2.” When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she said that she wanted to be the one who picked up the garbage or drive the mail truck to deliver mail to her family.
Today, she got up, dressed herself, fixed her lunch, hopped in the car and went off to college. Now she wants to be a chef and is double majoring in culinary arts and restaurant management.
YIKES!
(Update – the chef stayed in school 2 years and retired to be a SAH Mom to two beautiful grandbabies!)
Carol Davis says
thank for the reminder.
I held Ella a little longer tonight.
Laurie says
I think the hands of time are working at super speed mode. My daughter is five, but it seems like yesterday I was holding her for the first time.
The only good thing about daughters getting older is the change in the relationship. My mom and I are great friends. We have the best time together and I can’t go more than a day or two without talking to her.
So you have that to look forward to once you survive the “Driving Years”!
Have a great week!
Laurie
Pam says
I love reading your blogs Micca, they are the perfect way to end my days. Thanks for all you do!!
On Purpose says
Happy Birthday Peyton! May you celebrate big today, for this is the day 16 years ago that God blessed the world with your beautiful face…one which He created in His image. Live right in the middle of all He has for you!
Julie says
I am LOL at the go-kart story. I'm glad of course that Peyton didn't get hurt. 🙂 I hope you were able to thaw out from MN and I really hope that Robin & Suzanne behaved themselves on the flight home. Did Suzanne ever confiscate a "sky atlas" from the pilots? Ha-ha!!
Have a great week Micca!!
Sweet tea blessings,
Julie (aka airport shuttle driver)
Digging for Pearls says
Hi Micca!
Enjoy the time you have left. My son is 17, a senior this year, and almost every day I am reminded of the time slipping away through my fingers before he leaves for college in FL later this summer. I know it will be here before I’m ready!
Glad you had a great time at the Hearts at Home Conference. I have seen them advertised and always thought they would be fun to go to.
Thanks for your continued prayers. You have been a blessing to me!
Blessings,
Pearls